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THE WASHINGTONIAN:!
AUGUSTA, SEPTEMBER 3d, 1842.
VPaahtnglon Total .Ibslinencc Pledge.
We, whose names are hereunto annexed, desirous
of forming a Society for our mutual benefit,
and to guard against a pernicious practice,
which is injurious to our health, standing and
, families , do pledge ourselves as Gentlemen,
not to drink any
Spiritous or Malt Liquors, Wine or Cider.
(£?“ Mr. Wm. Haines, Jr. Secre
tary of the Washington T. A. Society in this
City, (who will be absent, on a tour throughout
the state, for a short time,) has kindly offered to
receive subscriptions to our paper anil collect
any money that may he due us in the following
places: Decatur, Marietta, Cassville, Dahlonega,
Clarksville, Gainesville, Athens, Salem and Ma
dison. Those of our subscribers who have not
remitted to us, and any person who may desire to
subscribe, will please do bo through Mr. Haines.
Subscribers in the city, not receiving the
“Washingtonian” on the day of publication, will
please to give notice at the office.
To Correspondents
The Inebriate's Daughter, by Arabella, in
our next. “ W.” the author ot “Suicide,” (co
pied fromthe Charleston Observer,) will perceive
we have made the alterations in that article, sug
gested to us. “An Enigma," in our next.
The Granary,” published in our paper to- !
day, is an excellent hint to some of our subscri
bers—those who have not complied with the
terms of the prospectus of this paper. Wo wish
to avoid dunning, at the same time desire punc- '
tuality on the part of all our subscribers. This
way of‘call to-morrow,’ ‘I hav’nt the change 1
just now,’ or ‘ I’ll call at the office,’ is generally |
a disappointment—it won’t buy paper, ink, nor
set up the types for the pajier. The amount is
small, very small, only one dollar a year, for the .
“Washingtonian ” The expenses however in
curred in publishing, amount to several dollars,
during this year. Those of our subscribers at a
distance, ‘whoreadeth and understandeth,’ can
send by Uncle Sam’s teamsters, who will carry j
the needful safely to us ; and in remitting, we 1
hope such of our friends, will send funds at par j
in this city.
sj|* Our friends at a distance will please observe
that, according to our rules, no letter is taken
from the post office, unless it comes free of post
age, We have lately been taxed with postage
t on several letters in relation to our paper, —one
letter, single, (from its bulk we suppose,) was
charged double —another, containing one dollar
on the Central bank—and another, requesting us
to change the direction of a subscriber's paper,
(through a second person,) who has not paid his
subscription. We wish our patrons to notice,
that One Dollar, in current funds, free ofpostage,
is the subscription price of our paper. Central
money can only be taken at its worth in our city,
which is now 33 per cent, below par ; and that
hereafter, no attention will be paid to letters ad
dressed to us, unless they come free of postage.
READ THIS.— 11 A post-master may en
close money in a letter to the publisher of a news
paper, to pay the subscription of a third person,
and FRANK the LETTER, if written or signed by
himself; but if the letter be signed by another
person, the post-master cannot frank it.”—Ex
tract from Instructions to Post Masters.
JjT In accordance with a resolution passed by
the. Washington Total Abstinence Society of
Richmond County, on the 9th August, “ request
ing each male member (who shall be able to do
so) to make an annual contribution of not less
than Fifty Cents, to defray the necessary expen
ses of the Society,” the following gentlemen were
appointed by the President, to solicit and receive
any contributions in behalf of the above object.
BEAL M. DUVAL, Ist. Ward, "I O
JOHN G. DUNLAP, 2d. “ ' §
G. A. INGRAHAM, 3d. “ ( £
HAWKINS HUFF, 4th. “ jr>
Extract of a letter from one of our subscribers,
dated “Marietta, Ga. August 18,1842.
“ The cause of Temperance is growing more
and more interesting in this place. Many have
enlisted under its banner who at first were the
most violent opposers to it. Public lectures are
kept up weekly, and the holy cause seems as if it
will embrace the whole populace. We never
can express our high gratitude to the progenitor
of Temperance in this place, Mr. R. P. Taylor—
May a long life, the peace and comforts of this
life and a happv death be his final issue.
J M.C S.
J—
“Gainesville, Ga., Aug. 26, 1842.
“Dear Mac. —Enclosed I send the subscription
i price of your valuable little paper sent me, for
j one year from the time of commencing my sub
| scription, and with this, allow me to congratulate
you on the rapid progress of the good cause in
which you have embarked. In the middle and
upper parts of the state, its march is onward, in
most of the villages. But lam sorry to say, our
peaceful and moral little place has had no effort
as yet made in it, to form a temperance society—
although our people say they would be much
pleased to see and hear from Mr. Taylor.
|jp The Sandersville Telescope containsjhe
proceedings of a meeting of a portion ot the cit
izens of that place, who formed a Tempenmcr
Society ami adopted the Total Abstinence pledge
of the Washingtonians, when ihe following per
sons were elected officers, viz. Gen. T. J. War
then, President, Zachariah Brantly, Vice Pre
sident, and Arthur G. Ware, Secretary and
Treasurer,
yV “ Old Jones,” a valuable contributor to
the columns of the Temperance Banner, gives
the following as the latest accounts of the pro
gress of Tenqicrancc in some parts of Georgia :
In Columbus, upwards of 400 have signed the
pledge.
Talbotton, about 270,
Forsyth, near 260,
Macon, near 500.
In Cullodensvillr, he says they have just made
a clean sweep—hardly a man or woman left but
who has signed the pledge. And about
Clinton, where there used to be about as many
i red noses as red hills, there has been quite a
[ change.
v —1 _ 1 tts
For the Washingtonian.
Mb. Editoii — l have noticeil, with regret, the
denunciations heaped upon the lion. Thomas F.
Marshall, as a ' Temperance man, on account ot
his late duel with Col. Webb;—and this regret
has been increased, by finding in an editorial
article, of a respectable paper, commenting on his
conduct, the following language:
“ A man may be a good Washingtonian, and,
at the same time be a glutton, a prolane swearer,
a Sabbath breaker, a duelist, a murderer, a thief,
any thing, and every thing, but adrunkard. He
must forswear the use of all intoxicating drinks
and keep that pledge, and beyond that lie is un
der no bonds to the Society of which ho is a
member. This is the sum total of Washingtoni
anism—and its morality lies within this narrow
compass. The man pledges himself to what!
Why, merely not to harm himself by the use of a
drug which has ruined its millions. The pledge
is, therefore, consistent with the most supreme
selfishness, and the most abandoned profligacy.’*
This language, I certainly did not expect, from
one occupying so important a position, as the edi
tor of the paper referred to docs, and who, from
his long acquaintance with men and things, and
cultivated understanding, is so capable of arriving
at just conclusions on almost every subject. I
apprehend that his mistake on this occasion, has
been caused, by connecting temperance in its
broad and general sense, with temperance in its
more confined meaning, when applied to associa
tions, whose object is to induce individuals to
forego the use of intoxicating drinks.
The temperance doctrine of the Bible, is that
broad meaning of the term, that covers every pas
sion and act of man, and every son and daughter
of Adam is bound to yield obedience to its dic
tates ; and the inordinate indulgence of any pas
sion, appetite, or practice, is culpable. The in
junction of scripture is, “ every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things.” This
command, is not only to govern us in our own
appetites and passions, but is to regulate us in
our conduct to our fellow men. We are to look
upon our neighbor with a kind spirit, and above
all, in commenting upon the conduct of others,
we are to do it in a temperate manner.
This is the broad and comprehensive view of
the term, but when we come to apply it to associ
ations formed for a specific object, it loses its
enlarged sense, and assumes an isolated meaning.
In the latter way it is to be understood when ap
plied to Temperance Societies.
The Temperance Societies of the present day,
however distinguished by name, have but one ob
ject in view—the annihilation of drunkenness;
and to the accomplishment of so grand an object,
they invite the co-operation of all—the minister,
and the private Christian—the man of honor— the
convivial tipler, and the degraded drunkanl :
i AH! all! are welcome to the ranks, and bid God
speed in their efforts. They are not inquisitorial
courts for the trial of moral character, blit bands
of brethren, uniting for the purpose of driving
from their loved country, a curse more withering
than famine or pestilence, and more destructive to
liberty than the will of an imperial dictator.
The question may be asked, if Temperance
Societies are willing to take in men. guilty ot the
crimes set fortli in the above extract"? We an.
svver, ves. We have nothing to do with their ;
opinions upon any subject except drunkenness; ;
if we can make them sober men, we have gone |
far in making them moral men. Besides, we are j
in no nioredanger from the influence of any mor
al delinquency of character, after they join the
Society, than we were before. Their influence
upon society is the same, before as after, and if
there is any change to be apprehended, it is for
the better. Shall we then relax our efforts to
take in all, because some are crying, “stand
back, I am holier than thou,” and are willing to
clog, rather than accelerate the onward move
ment. I hope not. I trust to the intelligence of
an enlightened age, to carry on the work to a
triumphant victory.
It is not my intention, Mr. Editor, to defend
Mr. Marshall, further, than he has been dc- |
nounced on temperance grounds. I believe the .
attack upon his character, gratuitous, uncalled 1
for, and calculated to do harm to the cause, and
if carried out will drive from our ranks many a
valuable member. I welcome him to the ranks
of temperance, with a hearty good will, and hope ‘
he will yet be instrumental in turning many a ‘
wanderer in the paths of drunkenness and degra
dation, to that of peace and happiness.
With his notions of honor, I have nothing to
do; nor is it a matter that ought to lessen his in
fluence as a temperance man. Ilis pledge is, to
abstain from using any thing that will intoxicate '
and so long as he adheres to that pledge, he dis
charges his engagement.
O© o I
The practice of duelling has existed for ages.
Honorable men have engaged in it, and perhaps
will engage in it again, without losing caste.
The custom has become engrafted on the social
body, and while I, in common with thousands of
my countrymen, deprecate the practice, in the
most unqualified terms, it must remain, till public
opinion, operated upon by the grace of an all-wise
Providence, shall terminate the bloody code.
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
For the Washingtonian.
The Drunken Christian.
Let not the title of our essay startle any one,
however incongruous the association may appear.
It is a fact, though much to be lamented, that
some who profess to be Christians are drunkards.
No one is so inaccessible to argument as one who
is ensconced behind his conscience, and fancies
that his religious principles will not allow him to
act on the principles of the Total Abstinence
Society.
We advocate no religious creed; we discuss no
religious doctrines; but must be permitted to no
tice the practical results of the conduct of some
professed Christians, as they appear to the world.
Christians arc admonished, to “ let their light so
shine before men, that they may sec their good
works, and glorify their Father which is in Hea
ven.” Light shine where I—ln the grog-shop,
among the glasses and decanters'? Again: the
Christian is admonished, to “ abstain from all
appearance of evil. ’
Now, to men of the world, it appears evil for
preachers of the Gospel to visit grog-shops, espe
cially when they drink with the diunken almost
to inebriety. It has the appearance of evil, for
them to carry their jugs from the distillery, filled
with whiskey. Also, for officers of the Church,
to go from muster-ground to muster-ground, with
kegs of whiskey, selling to, and associating with
the drunken and profane.
To men of the world, it appears inconsistent,
for these men of tender conscience, keen sensi
bility, devoted piety, to declare that they cannot
associate with the unholy and profane for the
purpose of suppressing intemperance, of promot
ing the best interests of society—while, at the
same time, they will keep company with drunk
ards at the grog-shop. What! say they, we )
who are the very salt of the earth—the light of
the world, associate with infidels! We may
keep company with them while they will get
drunk, but not in sobriety.—Encourage the for
mation of intemperate habits, but discourage re
formation.
Were we to quote from the Christian s text
book, it would be this passage: “If therefore the
light that is in thee be darkness, how great is
that darkness.” “ Evil communications corrupt
.t.hkl manners.”
Admitting it to be excusable for Christians to
partake of the intoxicating cup with the drunken,
still they are exhorted not to “ let their good be
evil spoken of.” Men of the world, ask—What
Christian duty is fulfilled by drinking as much
intoxicating liquor as the Christian can, without
staggering 1 What pleasure in taking the chris
; tian liberty of getting drunk ? As we are de
nounced, by these same professors of religion, in
the cause of Temperance, as “co-workers with
the devil.” we may ask of them —What Chris
tian duty they are performing in visiting the
j grog-shop 1 To glorify God ?—Benefit your lel-
IFow men? —To be strengthened in your goat
1 resolutions'? —or, to show how near a Christian
i can approach inebriety, without actually becom
j i„g drunk 1 What motive then? To use the
bounties of Providence with thanksgiving ?
Who would not be shocked to hear Ardent Spir
its called a bounty of Providence? Who would
not be confounded, were the Christian to pause
at the counter of the grog-shop, and invoke the
blessing of God on the half pint ot whiskey about
to bo used ! As well might he call Jamestown
weed, lobelia, the poppy, or any other poisonous
herb, plant, or weed, bounties of Providence, and
insist on taking a little of each to supply himself
with salad or greens, for God has made them;
but has not made whiskey.
The Apostle Paul, says, “ Happy is he that
condemncth not himselt in that thing which he
alloweth.” He also declares, “If meat make my
brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
Does the grog-shop Christian reason after the
scripture rule, or after the rule ofthe vtorld! He
says, “ I will spend my money when and how L
please, for it is my own ; I will drink as much as
I please, when and where I please, for it is my
own business and not anothers.” When expos
tulated with for using his influence against mo
rality and religion, he asks, as did Cain the
murderer, “ ain I my brother’s keeper !”
Let not the drunken Christian console himself,
by saying, he expects all manner of evil spoken,
against him. That text will not quiet his con
science, if he should read the whole (Math., sth.
chap. 11th verse,)—“ Blessed arc ye when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all
manner of evil against you , falsely for my sake.”
Bear in mind, that men of the world, in this, do
not speak falsely, nor against Christ; but in
truth, against the practice of dram-drinking
Christians. Nor can they claim to themselves
the consolation of “suffering wrongfully,” fee
they are not slandered. It is for their “ faults
they are buffeted.”
We close by a quotation from the Christian’s
text-book —Proverbs, 23rd chap. 29th verse—
Who hath wo! Who hath sorrow ! Who hath
contentions! Who hath redness of eyes! Who
hath bubbling! Who hath wounds without
cause! They that tarry long at the wine; they
that go to seek mixed wine.
A MAN OF THE WORLD.
Proceedings of the Augusta Washington
Total Abstinence Society.
Unitarian Church, Aug. 12, 1842.
The Society inet this evening, according to
adjournment —Dr. Daniel Hook in the Chair.
The minutes of the preceding regular meeting
was read and approved by the Society.
Mr. Joseph Johnson then arose and addressed
the meeting in a clear and highly interesting
manner, to the satisfaction of all present.
The Pledge was then offered for signatures,
and eleven names were received.
Meetings ofthe Society were held on Friday
and Saturday evenings, 13th and 14th August,
at the same house, and on the Monday night fol
lowing in the PreSbvterian Church, where a
large and respectable audience assembled, and
were addressed by Mr. Joseph Johnson in his
usual interesting and forcible manner, giving ve
ry general satisfaction. At the two last mention
ed meetings, thirty-five names were added as
members.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on
next Friday night week, 26th instant, at the
usual place.
WM. HAINES, Jr. Secretary.
Unitarian Church, Aug. 26, 1842.
The Society met this evening, according to
adjournment. The meeting being organized
with prayer by Dr. D. Hook, the minutes of
the previous meetings were then read by the
s Secretary, and adopted. !
i The following resolution passed by the Society
; at the recommendation of the Board of Mana
gers, (and in consequence of some dissatisfaction