Newspaper Page Text
THE WASHINGTONIAN:
AUGUSTA, NOV EMBER 5, 1842.
Washington Total Mslintnce 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.
JjT We hope our readers will attentively pe
ruse the Report of the Committee, submitted to
the Society, and published in our paper to-day.
It is highly interesting, and the facts startling as
true; knowing which, who can withhold his
name and influence from the support of this good
work. Read and circulate it among your neigh
bors.
In our present No. we have not room for the
able and interesting address delivered by Col.
Milledge, and have to defer its publication until
our next.
Death of George Steers.
The death of Mr. George Steers, one of the
original Six Reformed Drunkards of Baltimore,
is announced in the New York Organ of October
15th. He died on Sunday the Oth, aged forty
four years. The Organ justly remarks:
“ The labors of these men, and those who
have adopted their principles, all over the coun
try have been crowned with large success, and
proved a blessing to humanity. The names of
the Six, are destined to an immortality around
which no bloody stained trophies will cluster, no
tears of widows and orphans will dim its bright
ness. They have won an immortality of the
purest and holiest character, and the blessings
and tears of thousands will sanctify their memo
ries. The remains of Mr. Steers, wore followed
to the grave by a solemn and impressive array of
friends, and the earth closed over a true friend of
his kind,”
A friend writes under date Oct. 27th—“ Th r
cause is going ahead in DeKalb. There was a
Temperance meeting in Roctbri<lge District on
the 15th, when 62 names were annexed to the
pledge. All that is wanting is for the matter to
be properly discussed."
A letter, dated Clarksville, Qa. Oct. 23d, says,
“ Our Washington Society is getting on well,
and our members firm. I do not know of any
backsliders. We have now 223 members. At
our meeting last night, it was resolved to form
Auxiliary societies in each precinct, (5) in this
County, and delegates appointed to attend the
said places."
An indictment lor stabbing lately came up in
the Superior Court of the County of , in this
state. The principals were Hudson Moss and
his brother-in-law, Turner Lane. It was pro
ved that the parties engaged in the fray were all
drunk, and much contradictory testimony l>eing
given in the case, a gentleman of the Bar, pen
cilled the following lines :
Liquor’s the source of crime and robbing—
’Tis proved the cause of all this stabbing:
Old Moss was drunk, and so was Lane;
Liquor had made that crowd insane;
Had broken heads and bleeding sides,
And bung’d up eyes and much besides;
And now they come to end theii frays,
By swearing each contrary ways.
Fit subjects they themselves have made,
To join Charles Nelson’s “ home Brigade."*
♦Penitentiary.
Several of the military and fire companies in
the city of New York, have adopted unanimously
the Washingtonian Pledge. At the Croton
Celebration in that city, on the 16th ult. appro
priate banners, inscribed with mottoes expressive
of their principles, were borne. The array of
Temperance banners on this occasion, (says the
“Organ,” was very beautiful, and some very ex
pensive. One with a decanter upside down, with
the “ critter” escaping, marked, “ right side up,”
One of the Washington Societies had a large
platform erected, a regular old fashioned well
sweep, and a well, and from the “ moss covered
bucket,” the sparkling Croton was liberally dis
pensed to the crowd.
A well disciplined military company has been
formed at Hubbardstown, (Mass.) called the
Washingtonian Guards, pledged both to repel
the invasion of foreign enemies, and to vanquish
Old Alcohol, the domestic and far more danger
ous foe.
Two companies of Firemen in Philadelphia
have raised the Temperance flag.
The Senior Class of Princeton College, New
Jersey, at their last supper, permitted no wine at
the festive board.
Not a drop of spirituous liquors can be pur
chased at Charleston, (Indiana.)
Notiplcrs in Greencastlc, (Ky.)
Two reformed drunkards in Maine, have suc
ceeded in reforming nearly a whole county, with
a population of 13,500. Os 15 rumsellers doing
business when they commenced, only 11 are now
engaged in dealing it, and but '2O drunkards arc
left to sustain them.
The “Virginia Teetotaller,” Vol. 2, number
1, comes to us in an enlarged form, and part ofa
new name, published semi-monthly, without any
variation in the subscription price, (SI per ann.)
The Teetotaller has already done much for the
Cause of Temperance, and from the healthy ap
pearance of the present No. with the encourage
ment to persevere in its labors, (the circulation
having increased 900 in two weeks,) the friends
of Temperance in the ‘‘Old Dominion” know
well how to appreciate a good thing, by giving it
their support; and the publisher of the Teetotal
ler, without any loud, unmeaning promises, has
presented a sheet well worthy their liberality.
SEARS' BIBLE BIOGRAPHY,
500 Engravings.
Mr. T. S. Stoy, who is agent for this place,
can supply any persons with the above popular
and valuable work, which we take pleasure in
recommending as a book that should be found in
the library of every head of a family; the pros
pectus of which can be seen in our back numbers.
The above work can be obtained on application
at our office, or delivered to subscribers in any
part of the city.
Mr. J. J. Johnson.
We are indebted to a friend for a copy of the
Boston Mercantile Journal, containing a commu
nication from “C. W.” relative to the welcome
received by Mr. Johnson, the able temperance
lecturer. The Marlboro’ Chappel was filled to
overflowing, to hear an account of his travels in
the Southern States. There was collected to
gether an assemblage of not less than 2000 i>er.
sons, witt open hearts and extended hands, to
welcome him back, notwithstanding his unfortu
nate fall, which all were ready to pardon, forget
and forgive.
“ He fell— and
With Giant’* strength, he rose again.”
The services were commenced by singing of
the choir. Rev. Mr, Russell addressed the throne
of Grace in a very happy manner, praying most
heartily for the conversion of all, more particu
larly of the vender and maker of intoxicating
drinks. The President of the Society, S. b*?
Holbrook, then addressed the meeting for a mo
ment, and introduced Mr. Johnson, “ Goon as
NEW.”
Mr. Johnson then addressed the audience, evi
dently under a great deal of embarrassment; he
expressed it, in a humble but dignified manner, by
saying that the welcome he received almost over
powered his feelings —although he had fallen,
since absent, yet, with joy, he thanked God he
had returned a sober man, that he had labored
hard to wash away the stain. He recounted his
reception and labors at Mobile, detailing the
wonderful progress of the Temperance cause in
that place; giving full credit for all the kindness
and hospitality shown him on his arrival, and
during the stay of himself and Mr. Cady in that
city; speaking in the highest terms of that well
known and able advocate of the cause of Tem
perance, the Rev. Mr. Schcon, of Cincinnatti,
Ohio. Mr. Johnson then gave an account of his
leaving Mobile, and his arrival at Ncw-Orleans,
his reception there, of the great and wonderful
progress in that city, until, in an cril
hour, he fell—and in that fall, the cause was in
jured; but the cause there, as in every other
place, being the cause of humanity, the cause of
God and man, resting its claims noton “poor,
feeble, mortal man," but on its own pure and ho
ly principles —it progressed, borne on by that
invisible, but Almighty power, “ whose arm is
not shortened, that it cannot save.” Mr. John
son acknowledged his fall in a candid manner,
detailing the circumstances in full, attaching no
blame to any one, attributing it to his own weak
ness altogether. He spoke in unmeasured thanks
and gratitude of Col. Lane and other friends to
the reform, for their unwearied pains taken to
restore him and bring him back, and place him
before the community in the position he stood
before the sad accident. Os the manner in which
he was again received by the New Orleans com
munity, he spoke in high commendation and
gratitude. It appears to me that no person, espe
cially a Washingtonian, that heard hi* sad tale,
but what must stop and ask himself the question,
Am I safe, or sure, for a single moment 1 The
answer is plain, No, not in my own strength,
“unless God kcepeth the city, the watchmen
wake in vain.”
Mr. J. then gave an account of his return visit
to Mobile, and of his kind and flattering recop
tion in that place, although it was known that ho>
had fallen, —but was again up and doing. He
then named his visits to Greensboro’, Gainesville,
Eutaw, Marion, Selma, Benton, (in this latter
place 13 stores and taverns gave up the sale of in
toxicating drinks!) He then visited Hainesville,
Wctumke, Columbus, (where nearly five hun
dred signed the pledge of Total Abstinence.)
On t health of July ho spoke at Talbott on; he
next paid a visit to Culloden; thence to Macon,
Clinton, Milledgeville, Eatonton, Sparta, War
renton, Augusta, (Geo.) and Charleston, (S. C.)
—giving a very excellent account of the progress
of the work in these places. Mr. Johnson closed
bis remarks by admonishing xI.L, particularly
Washingtonians, not by any means to touch,
taste, or handle the infernal poison, lest in an
unguarded moment they should fail, and fore
ver remain so. For himself, he said, that by the
goodness of God, he was restored again, and
would rather die this monent, than taste another
drop. The address throughout was a solemn
warning to all—it was felt by all—it was takon
by all. May it be remembered by all, producing,
through the blessing of God, a good and happy
effect upon all. C. W.
of the Washington Total
Abstinence Society of Richmond county, was cel
ebrated on Monday evening last in the Presbyte
rian Church, where a large and respectable audi
ence were assembled.
The exercises were opened by singing a tem
perance ode by the choir —“My Country's Voice.’
After which an appropriate prayer was offered
by Rev. Charles S. Dodd.
The annual report of the Society, prepared by
a committee appointed for that purpose, was read
by S. T. Chapman, Esq. The report gave a very
full and interesting account of the origin and pro
gress of the Temperance Reform, not only within
the bounds of this community and State, but thro’-
out the United States, and in foreign lands.
The report was unanimously accepted, and or
dered to be published in the city papers, under the
direction oft he committee from whom it originated-
On motion of Dr. Daniel Hook, it was
ltcsohed, That the several Temperance Socie
ties throughout this county be invited to become
auxiliary to this Society, to appoint delegates to
co-operate with us, and to unite with us in all our
meetings, and especially on our anniversaries and
other public occasions.
Another temperance ode “ The Triumph of
Temperance "--being sung by the choir,
Col. John Milledge then rose and addressed
the assembly in a chaste, able and eloquent man
ner, which was received by them with most en
thusiastic applause.
On motion of James Harper, Esq, it was
Resolved, unanimously , That a copy of the
highly interesting speech of Col. John Milledge
be solicited for publication.
Another temperance ode was then sung.
When on motion of Rev. Wm. T. Brantly, it
was unanimously
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be ten
dered to Thomas S. Metcalf, Esq., for the gratui
tous use of the Unitarian Church, in which the
Society has held its meetings for some months
past, to Messrs. Richards, Iverson, Trembly, and
others, who composed the choir, for the sweet and
enlivening music afforded for this occasion. «
On motion of Dr. F. M. Robertson, it was
unanimously
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting
be published in the Washingtonian, and the other
city papers.
The meeting then adjourned to meet on Friday
evening next, in the Unitarian Church, at seven
o’clock. JOSEPH A. EVE, President.
Wm. Haines, Jr. Secretary.
Report of the Committc.
The Committee upon whom has devolved the
duty of considering the history, condition, and
prospects of this Society, submit the following
REPORT:
The friends of sobriety may well congratulate
themselves and their fellow-citizens upon the oc
currences of the past year. Whilst so much has
transpired in the various departments of trade and
business to discourage enterprise and palsy the
arm of industrywhilst suspicion and distrust
have taken the place of a generous confidence; —
and whilst “the pure in heart” have had such
reason to despond over the decline in public
and private morals—it is cheering to discover one
bright spot in the almost universal waste, beto
kening the recuperative powers of the human
character, and presenting hopes that we will
eventually be a temperate, though we may not be
a prosj>erous people.
Os this we have ample assurance in the reports
which daily reach us from every section of the
country. The eye can scarcely trace a spot upon
the map of the Union, where some disciple of
temperance has not been laboring successfully to
enforce the simple, yet, powerful principles of re
form. Our onward march has indeed been sio
nalized by a scries of uninterrupted triumphs, the
good effects of which are too manifest to be dispu
ted. They may Use read in the changed features
of many of our once wretched, but now sober and |
prosperous citizens —they may be discovered in
the altered aspect of affairs generally—in the in
creased order which prevails —in the quiet and
peaceful deportment ot those who were lately the I
leaders in scenes of turbuleinee, of strife and
bloodshed—in a growing respect for the laws of
the land, and a more ready observance of their
wholesome requisitions—in the changed and
chastened tone of public feeling and sentiment—
in the cheerful, joyaus smile of redeemed infan
cy—in the prosperity of reformed husbands—and,,
in the contentment and happiness of rescued,
confiding females.
When asked, what good the Temperance Re
formation has effected, its advocates may well
reply —behold its triumphs in every section of
your country —in every walk of life—in every
sex and condition of your race! Its influence is
confined to no nation, language, or complexion.
It unites all parties, sects and persuasions, in one
harmonious brotherhood. The Royalist and the
Republican, —the Turk and the Christian, —the
jjwarthy inhabitant of the South Sea Islands, and
tfie refined and enlightened European,—the East
ern Nabob, and the sturdy pioneer of the West
ern wilderness, can here all unite in the same
effort to promote a common and glorious object.
No religious test is required —No political creed
is to be subscribed to. The pride of birth, and
“the pomp and circumstance’’ of wealth, are
merged in the common anxiety to insure ourselves
and our fellow men against the misery and degra
dation that att< nd the disgusting vice of Intem
perance.
Your Committee would not over-estimato the
character and effect of the temperance reforma- .
tion. They are not the advocates of a wild en
thusiasm—Theydesirenottobcnumberad among <
those “ vho see every thine in temperance and
temperance in ex try thine!" and yet they are not
blind to the virtues of the Institution, or of its
manifest and multitudinous lienefits. They
would not proscribe others for differing from them
in opinion; but would invite them to consider
calmly and dispassionately the nature and objects
of the Society—to judge of it by its fruits, and de
cide accordingly.
The enterprise is purely of a moral character.
It looks only to reason and morality for its sup
port. It disclaims all legislative action, and the
exercise of undue and improper influences, It
leaves every man to exercise the inalienable rights
of opinion and action. Believing the use of In
toxicating drinks, as a beverage, to be fraught
with little good and unnumbered evils, its advo
cates have pledged themselves, as Gentlemen,,
and Ladies, to abstain entirely therefrom. Their
language to others, is that of the Jewish Itwgi w r
tojhis father-in-law, “Come with us,and we will
do thee good!”
Ifthe trial be fairly made, —if the promise bo
found false—and if the temperance asylum be
found to contain, not blessings, but curses; then
may our fellow-citizens“retuin to their cups”—to
the pleasures ofthe moment and the dangers of a
drunkard’s retribution. No obstructions bar the
way. The door is open, and all are cordially in
vited to entcrand “ abide with us.” The egress
is equally easy —for the Temperance Society, un
like the eraveof'lhe drunkard, has away of es
cape/ On the other hand, if the Institution be
found a good one—if it has done much to relieve
the country from the disgrace of intemperance,
and the burden of a heavy consequent taxation—
if it afford to the unfortunate drunkard a true as
sylum—if it dry up the tears of heart-broken
females, and relieve penury and orphanage of
their pangs and sufferings—may we not call upon
every good man and pure patriot to sustain it by
precept and example—to yield it his hearty co
operation and persuade others to join him in the
good work 1
Your Committee would refer to facts, and
leuve others to make the application. From the
achievement of American Independence to a re
cent period, the intemperance of this people had
been observed and deplored. Statesmen had le
gislated and protested against it—the pulpit had
denounced it, and good men every where regard
ed it as an evil of no ordinary character. And
yet its progress was onward. From 1790 to 1832,
the records ofthe Custom-house show the quan
tity of ardent Spirits and Wines imported, to be
about Three Hundred Millions op Gallons.
Add to this the amount manufactured in the
Country, (as well as the quantity of Beer, Por
ter, and other intoxicating drinks,) and the ag
fregatc does not vary much from Twenty-seven
Il.ndred Millions cp Gallons H Costing, at
the very moderate price of 50 cents per gallon,
the enormous sum of THIRTEEN HUN
DRED AND FIFTY MILLIONS OF DOL
LARS. 42
The estimated cost of the Revolutionary war is
One Hundred and Thirty-five Millions of Dol
lars. Add to this the expenses of the United
States Government from 1790 to the present
time--51 years—at 15 millions per year, and we
have the entire expenses of this Government
equal toNINE HUNDRED MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS.
This sum paid all the Civil and Diplomatic ex
penses ofthe Country—it rewarded and sustained
our victorious armies—it carried our flag trium
phant over every sea—it gave to the world a new
form of government— ! ’ it paid the price of liber
ty ' —it purchased Florida and Louisiana, and
whole leagues of valuable territory to the West;
and yet, when deducted from the sum which the
people paid for the uselessly destructive article of
intoxicating drinks, prior to 1832, leaves a surplus