Newspaper Page Text
THE WASHINGTONIAN:
AUGUSTA, SEPTEMBER 17, 1842.
IVashUglon Total .Jbstinence 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
Splritous or Malt Liquors, Wine or Cider.
{£?” Mr. Wm Haines, Jr. Secre
tary of the Washington T. A. Society in this
City, (who will '>e absent, on a tour throughout
the state, for a short time,) has kindly offered to
receive subscriptions to our paper and collect
any money that may be 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 tons, and any person who may desire to
subscribe, will please do so through Mr. Haines.
To Correspondents.
“J. E.” is on file. We should like to see the
author, before publishing his communication.
“ A Washingtonian's" selection for us, enti
tled ‘Jam Free,' by the ‘Milford Bard,’ has al
ready been inserter! in No. 5 of our paper.
“ Enigma," No. 2, in our next.
More ot It urn’s Doings.
Mr. Allen Melton, an industrious and peacea
ble citizen, was found dead, about a mile and a
half below Hamburg, a short time sincf. The
Journal says, he had been partaking freely of his
cups before he left the town. It is supposed that
he fell off the rail road, in endeavoring to cross a
culvert, and dislocated his neck. Mr. Melton
was past the middle ago of life, and has left a
family to deplore his loss.
About half a mile beyond Camden, (says the
U. S. Gazette,) the train of cars ran over the bo
dy of a man who was stretched across the rail
road, in a beastly state of intoxication, his bottle
lying beside him.
The Wilmington (N. C.) Chronicle says, that
an old man named Sadburv, while Bitting in the
passage of his own house, about dusk, a few eve
nings since, had the contents of a shot gun tired
into his breast, which caused his instant death.
There is good reason to believe that the deed was
committed by his oten son I The coroner’s in
quest declared him to be the murderer. The
supposed murderer is an intemperato man.
Patrick Casey, of Madison (Ind.) while in a
state of drunkenness, brutally cut and stabbed
his wife with a knife, and struck her several
blows with an axe, breaking one arm and other
wise cutting and bruising her in a most shocking
manner.
At Marietta (Pa.) G. W, Doak, aged about3s
years, while in a state of intoxication, in attempt
ing to walk across the beams of the gates ot the
outlet lock of the basin in Columbia, fell into the
lock and was drowned.
Near Allentown (Pa.) a father and son-in law
who were mowing in tho field, both drunk, com
menced quarrelling, in their dispute one gave the
other a push, who fell upon the scythe, cut him
self dreadfully and is not expected to live.
A Mrs. Phelps, of Amherst, Mass, was burn
ed to death in consequence of her clothes taking
fire, while she was preparing to go to bed. She
was a woman addicted to habits of intemperance.
Near Madison (Pa.) four Germans, who had
been enjoying themselves by drinking whiskey, :
fell in with an insane man named Brant, whom j
they taunted until he turned upon them, and
seizing a gun fired among them, wounding three,
one very dangerously.
A man by the name of Batcheller, in Cumber
land (R. I.) while under the influence of Rum,
a short time since, committed a most dreadful
murder upon the body of his wife, literally pound
ing her head to pieces with an axe.
It was stated some time since, by Mr. Buck
ingham, before the British Parliament, that he
had taken the pains to ascertain the quantity of
liquor drank at one tavern in London, for whjch
purpose he placed himself during one day in a
tavern in that city, he says that he saw enter
there for liquor, 2800 men, 1855 women, and 289
children. 'I he proprietor of the establishment
assured him that he sold liquor weekly to 269,450
men, 103,500 women, and 142,450 children.
“ I have drank a gallon of beer daily, for the
last thirty years," once boasted an opponent of
total abstinence, “and I never was in better health
than lam now,” The next day a fit of apoplexy
laid him dead.
The whole number of reformed drunkards in
| the United States, is estimated to exceed 50,000.
Extract of a letter from a correspondent, dated
Sparta, Ga. Sept. 8, 1342.
“ On the sth August, 1842, under the minis
tration of Mr. Johnson, a society was formed in
this place, styled the Hancock Total Abstinence
Society. The members number at this time one
hundred and five. The officers are—
N. C. Sayre, President; Joseph R. Sarsnet,
Ist Vice-President; Jacob McCall, 2d do.; L.
| S. Stewart, 3d do; J. II Burnett, Secretary; J.
j B. Edwards, Treasurer.
Proceedings of the Augusta Washington
Total Abstinence Society.
Unitarian Church, Sept. 2, 1842.
The Society met this evening according to ad
journment. The meeting being organized with
prayer by Dr. Daniel Hook. The President in
the chair, and L. D. Lallerstedt, Secretary pro.
tern, the minutes of the last meeting were read
and approved.
The following resolution, passed at a late
meeting of the Society, was taken up by the re
commendation of the Board of Managers, and
after some discussion, repealed.
Resolved, That when any member (hall de
sire to withdraw his or her name from the list
attached to the Pledge adopted by the Society,
such desire shall be signified in writing, address
ed to the President, which shall be retd at the
regular meeting next ensuing, and hii, or her
name shall therefrom be erased by the Secretary.
The mceeting was then addressed in a very
appropriate manner, by Dr. Daniel Hook, and
Messrs. J. L. Minims and W. H. Platt, Esq’rs.
Mr. Chapman then offered the following reso
lution, which was adopted by the Society.
Resolved , That a Committee of five be appoint
ed by the President to examine the list, and clas
sify the members of this Society, according to age,
sex, &c.; also, to report upon the
publishing the same, with such facts as in the
view of the committee may best tend to promote
the objects of the friends of temperance.
The following gentlemen were appointed that
committee, by the President:
Messrs. S. T. Chapman, J. G. Dunlap, W. W.
Tremhley, W F. Pemberton, J. L. Mimms.
An invitation being extended to those desirous
to take the pledge, four names were added as
new members.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on
next Friday evening, at this place.
L. D. LALLERSTEDT,
Secretary pro tern.
Unitarian Church, Sept. 9th, 1842.
The Society convened according to adjourn
ment, tho President in the Chair, organized with
singing a temperance ode. The minutes of the
last meeting were read and approved.
The Committee appointed at the last meeting,
presented the following
REPORT:
The Committee appointed to examine the list
and classify the members of the Washington
Total Abstinence Society, respectfully report—
That they have performed that duty, by dividing
the Society into four classes and preparing dis
tinct lists of the same, which are herewith sub
mitted.
The investigations of your Committee, have
developed the following gratifying facts, viz;
The Washington Society, which has been in
existence only a few months, now numbers—
1. Males over 18 years of age, 451
2. Males under 18 “ “ 76
3. Females over 14 “ “ 222
4. Females under 14 “ 24
Making in all seven hundred and seventy three
members -about sixty of whom were what is
technically termed “ hard cases but who have
thus far, it is believed, strictly and honorably ad
hered to the pledge!
Since the organization of the Society, onlv
thirteen persons have withdrawn their member
ship; and four have died.
In addition to the above, your Committee have
discovered on the list of the original Total Absti
nence Society, the names of about 100 persons
who coincide with the Washingtonians in opin
ion and practice, and some ot whom are active
co-opcrators in the good cause and even officers
in this Society, whose names are nevertheless
not upon its list. There are also upon the roll
of that Society, the names of about 170 persons,
who are either unknown to your committee, or
absent from the place. These added to the
Washingtonian list, proper, give an aggregate of
One Thousand and Forty-three 1
Your Committee recotSßjepd that some meas
ures be taken *c add ‘hp *bo-e referred♦«.
to the list of this Society, so that complete har
mony and unity may be attained in its operation*.
Your Committee does not deem it advisable to
publish, at present, the names of members sub
mitted ; but would recommend the passage of the
following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That the accompanying Lists, pre
pared by the Committee, be copied into a book
procured for the purpose, and that the Secretary
be directed to transfer the name of each person,
hereafter signing the Pledge, to its appropriate
class; and to have published quarterly a summa
ry statement, shewing —
1. The number in each class.
2. The number withdrawn.
3. The number who may have violated the
Pledge.
4. The number of Reformed Drunkards.
5. The aggregate number belonging to the
Society.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
S. T. CHAPMAN, Chair’n Com.
On motion of Dr. D. Hook, the Report was re
ceived, adopted, and ordered to be published.
On motion of Wm. F. Pemberton,
Resolved, That a Committee of three be ap
pointed by the President, whose duty it shall be
to wait upon those members of the Total Absti
nence Society who reside in this city, and have
not signed the pledge of the Washington Total
Abstinence Society, for the purpose of obtaining
their signatures thereto; and that after this duty
has been performed, the roll of this Society be
deposited in a central part of the city, in charge
of said Committee, and a public invitation be giv
en to members of the former Society disposed to
co-operate with us, to do so, by attaching their
names to our pledge.
The Chair appointed as such Committc»—L.
D. Lallerstedt, James S. Hook, Jesse Walton.
The meeting was then addressed by Mr.
Chapman, who exhibited ably, eloquently and
effectually, the origin and rapid progress of tem
perance, and the happy results consequent upon
its success—followed by Col. John-Milledge and
Dr. D. Hook, in their usual interesting and im
pressive manner.
Cards were then circulated, and two names
were added to the list.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on
next Friday evening, in this place
L. D. LALLERSTEDT,
Secretary pro tern.
For the Washingtonian.
Decatur, DeKalb Co., Sept. 9th, 1842.
Mr. Editor —ln one short letter, I can give
but an imperfect sketch of my intemperate course.
I shall, without apology, adopt the Washingto
nian plan of relating my own experience. As 1
had long been known as Capt. Parr, of the Light
Horse Company, I told Mr. Taylor, when I
signed the pledge, that I had also been a Captain
in the ranks of intemperance. Not byway of
boasting, however, for it is mortifying to me, to
reflect how much I have injured fnyself and fami
ly by my course.—No abuse of family, however,
that did not arise from inattention to business, or
lrom spending my earnings for liquor, which
should have been appropriated to their support.
I have been extensively known as a hard drink
er in and about Athens ; also, in the Creek and
Cherokee campaigns. My present wish is, that
I might be able to counteract the influence I have
heretofore exerted.
For ten years past I have been in the habit of
drinking, or taking sprees, which cost me from
$1 to sls each ; and one, with the breakage of
decanters, glasses, &c. cost me S3O. lam per
suaded, that my loss has been $l5O per annum,
for the last ten years. I now owe of grog debts,
but S7§ cents.
Should my friends inquire, what induced me
to quit drinking 1 I answer, that no argument
is necessary to convince a drunkard of his evil
course. His own thoughts, his own reflections,
his own sense of duty to himself, to his family, to
the community, all point out to him that he is
wrong. Did not the anxious and care-worn ex
pression of my wife, on my return from my
drunken sprees, tell me 1 was wrong? Had I
not promised, before God, and earthly witnesses,
to study her peace, happiness and comfort?
Does any one who has harbored the thought of
committing suicide, as I have done,—even hav
ing sent for arsenic, foi the purpose of poisoning
myself—any one who has had a fit of delirium
tremens, as I have had, being aroused from my
bed in the night, with the apprehension that I
was pursued by a two-headed snake, by wolves,
and dogs—taking shelter in a church which
stood not far distant ? Who, under such circum
stances, needs any argument to convince him
that he is wrong ? I knew I was wrong, and so
does every drunkard know; and.nodoub*, manr
resolve, as I often did, to quit the use of intoxi
cating drinks; but I found, as every drunkard
will find, that partial resolutions are of no avail
The resolution must be total, final. Thoe&who
think that resolutions slid pledge* wiH trot help
to keep a man sober, never have tried the; effect,
and of course are not competent j udges. They
judge from partial plans. I judge from experi
ence in the total plan—having taken the pledge,
I have no desire to drink. The drunkard who
quits only to commence again when he gets rea
dy, cannot judge rightly in this matter.
At every comer he meets his old comrades, —
they know nothing of his resolutions, and urge
him to drink. He says, to himself, this once, and
then I am done; but as often as the temptation,
so often the secret resolution is broken. It has
been my case; it has been the case of thousands.
One thing is certain, —total abstinence from all
that can intoxicate is the only safe course for the
drunkard.
Let no one say, that the pledge will do no good,
till he has tried it. I must throw myself, for ar
gument, on my own experience. I know it has
done me good. In changing my habits, I have
in some measure changed my company, and I
find it far more profitable to visit the church on
the Sabbath, thao to spend my time in the back
room of a grog-shap.
I have heard it suggested; that we ought to use
all the good things provided for us by our Crea
tor. But 1 would ask, if we must for that reason
eat tobacco, or make tea of lobelia! Just as
much our duty as it is to drink ardent spirits.
But one word, as to the return of appetite. By
way of experiment, I tasted some temperance
beer , and I find it wilL not do for me, however
harmless it may be for others, Adam’s ale isthe
best beverage to allay thirst.
I have filled my sheet, and as I remaaked at
first, have done but little, just glanced at a few
points in my history.
Respectfully,
CHARLES D. PARR
For the Washingtonian.
Tlie Inebriate’s Daughter*
Fancy represents me as the only daughter of a
reformed inebriate. Memory lingers with fond
ness on the seasons of my first recollection—a
rosy faced little girl, with flowing ringlets waiv
ing to every breeze, as father and I would take
our walks together in the fields and lawns. No
holiday so sweet—no time so pleasant spent, as
that swiftly coursing by in the company of my
father. Mine were the dearest, happiest parents!
How could wc be otherwise than happy ? My
parents took the deepest interest in my education.
My father seemed to have himself become again
a school-boy, so intensely did he watch my pro
gress and assist me in my studies.
Never were our seats vacant at church, except
when sickness prevented our attendance. The
Sabbath school was the delight of us all. Wo
were neither gay nor fashiouable, in the common
acceptation of those terms; but one practice of
almost universal prevalence then obtained in our
family—l allude to the custom of offering wine
and cordials to friends, and indulging with them
in the social glass. Being too young to notice
the inroads the love of intoxicating liquors were
making upon the peace and happiness of our fa
mily, I had wondered why mother was at times
sosad. All was mystery to me. Thesilenttear
stealing down my mother’s cheek—my father’s
late return at night—his neglect of family wor
ship, and his coldness toward us were quite appa
rent. One cold winter night I determined not
to leave my mother while she was so overwhelm
ed with grief. When the clock had struck ten —
eleven—twelve—one—Father not yet arrived.
Fifteen minutes past one, and the door opened.
My mother had said to me she feared he would
come home intoxicated. Nothing could have
shocked me more. What, my father a drunk
ard! and spending his time with drunkards'?
Mother, I will at once ask him to spend his eve
nings home with us. No, no. my child, I have
borne in grief and silence all his taunts and re
proaches. Why, mother, did father ever speak
an unkind word to you? Not when he was so
ber. Well mother, I must beg him this very night
as he loves us both, not to drink any more. ,
It was at this time that the door was! opened.
My father was the first to speak—“ What the
plague is the reason that you are not in bed be
fore this time of night ?” I waited, father, said I,
to ask you one question, and to keep mother com
pany. “Pretty business,” answered he, “to sit
up all night to ask me a question. If it is a ques
tion of your 01 m" said he. significantly, “ask. it."