Newspaper Page Text
FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY
OF DOLLARS. 43 An amount
than sufficient to pay all the debts of all the
and relieve the National Treasury from
and disgrace! Le t the friend'd'this
pause and "reflect! Why this immense
of the hard earnings of our citizens ? where
. ih ? schemes ofinterna! improvement it has perfect-
?—the cities it has built ?—the fields smiling in
it has cultivated ?—the annies it has sus
—the peace and abundance it has iinpart
:m'! Hear the answer. Its improvement has
Hen destruction, —its abundance, famine, —its
harvest, misery,—its peace, bloodshed and crime,
•“-its fields, the fields of death, —its cities have been
Ipfppnstituted of hospitals and prison-houses,—its
*rmv has consisted of 500,000 habitual, and Two
■Millions ofoccasionaldrunkards—Thirty Thou
sand of whom annually went to the drunkard’s
final resting place. If it were possible to call up
the haggard ghosts of but one years operations,
.. your Committee feel assuml they would have
thirty thousand of the strongest arguments which
Sjifbuld he presented toany people in behalf ofyour
■Hksociation. Nor would it be necessary to pass
raKhe multitude in review, in order that each tem
pSlprate drinker might seek out a ruined father,
Utother, companion, or friend, who had been vic
timized at the unholy shrine of Bachus. Every
Mppan’s- memory would revert to the history anil
«jt unhappy fate ofscores who would now have risen
vprom tile dead to warn him of his danger and his
M duty.
Ia 1831, with a population of T vvelve Millions,
consumed Seventy-two Millions Gallons of
nes and Ardent Spirits; and One Hundred
Thirty Millions, including Beer, Porter, &e.
r about 11 gallons to every man, woman and
din the Uijion! and that too, at a cost of
ty-fivo Millions of Dollars! Need we say
> intoxication had become almost a fashiona
(tccomplishment, creditable as it was common
lat it pervaded all ranks, and conditions, and
ses of men—that neither the Church nor the
ial Circle escaped its ruinous influexccs—that
human intellect was beclouded—the human
rt corrupted—domestic peace destroyed—
le promoted—pauperism increased—and even
iotism itself endangered in the shameless
ititution of the elective franchise!
1 this condition, the Temperance Society
id the country —It has been the sole agent in
working relief; and yet as early as 1835, there
were organised 8000 societies, embracing a mil
-Ij§ lion and a half of members —1000 distilleries had
" «eased operations— 1200 temperance ships were
idloat— 1-2000 drunkards had been reformed —and
two millions of people had ceased to use ardent
spirits.
Yet faithful and efficient as had been the early
projectors of this reform, their success was not
~complete. Like the primary actors in every
ait her moral movement, they deserve much praise:
*tu for they accomplished much by the adoption of
»lhe partial abstinence pledge. But every tiling
bearing tins impress of humanity is progressive
and improveable. Perfection docs not belong to
any system in its first developements. In this
instance the remedy was complete in kind, but
not in extent. It was effectual as far as it went,
but it reached only the branches, not the roots of
Iheevil. However men had theorized, it was
soon found that, harmless as vinous liquors might
be in wine-growing countries, in this at least °we
would be compelled to sacrifice the apparent
: good, in order to insure a certain and permanent
f $> immunity !roin the evil: for it was discovered to
«bc am easy matter, with the aid of Chemistry, to
convert the proceeds of an ordinary New England
’ if Rum factory into the most delicious draughts
which had ever been imported from the Mediter
ranean, the Cape of Good Hope, or the south
I side of Madeira.
Hence the propriety of the Total abstinence
pledge, which was adopted in 1836, and which
■ insured to the cause increased prosperity. By
the census of 1840, it appears that with a popula
jv ’ tion increased to 17 millions, the whole amount of
«w'. intoxicating liquo's (including wines, beer, por
fter, &c.) imported and manufactured, only equal
led about 71 millions of gallons; or 4 gallons to
every individual in the nation—being a diminu
tion of nearly two-thirds on the consumptions of
- 1832! 0ur25,000 distilleries had decreased to
r£j 10,306!! whilst the other evidences of reform had
. increased in the same proportion.
Still there seemed a defect in the system. It
proceeded on the principle of saving the temper
* ate, whilst flic unfortunate Diunkard, for whom
the reform should have been mainly intended,
IP was almost excluded from the pale ofits benefits,
as an outcast, ruined, and beyond the hope of
mercy and relief.
The sth of April, 1840, marked a new era in
i its progress. The principles were slightly alter
ed whilst the means and instruments were radi
cally changed. The history and operations of
the Reformed Drunkards of Baltimore, are too
well known to need rehearsal.- They have gone
with a self-sacrificing, devoted spirit, into every
part of the country— repeating the simple story
of their own experience—presenting themselves
as living monuments of the redeeming power of
the pledge —appealing to the reason, the interests
and the better feelings of their fellow men —ad-
dressing their self-love —their devotion to their
families—their patriotism and their sense of moral
obligation. Nor have they appealed in vain.
Every where the hosts are gathering to their call
—thousands arc marshalling under the cold wa
ter banner, and the cry is “stillthey come.”
One man alone has taken more than One Hun
dred Thousand names to the pledge, one-tenth of
whom had been habitual drunkards.
The Report of the American Temperance
Union for 1842, mentions the number of temper
ate drinkers who have taken the pledge, at two
millions—of “ hard drinkers” half a million,—
whilst the whole number of reformed drunkards
cannot be less than 150,lH)0!
In Philadelphia, all the Distilleries have been
stopped,
la New York, all but one, and the production
! diminished from Gj to lj millions of gallons—or
about 5 millions in one year.
In the State of New York, in 1825, there were
1119 Distilleries —now less than 200!
In Western Pennsylvania, in 1815, there were
1500—now, about 20.
In Lancaster, Pa. in 1537, there were 20—now
only 2.
In other sections, the diminution, if not equally
' great, is at least sufficiently so, to mark the tri
umph of our cause and inspire us with renewed
1 hopes of final and complete success.
In New Y ork, notwithstanding the depression
: of the times, the decrease in crime and pauperism,
j consequent upon the temperance movement, is
! estimated at G 3 per cent. The same calculation
! will hold good with many other places, and of
1 some a much more favorable one could he made.
This new impulse must be mainly attributed to
the Retormcd Drunkards, one of whom, Mr.
Taylor, has been the happy instrument of accom
plishing the revolution in our own state. His
efforts during the last summer were as untiring
as they were successful. Whole communities
have been changed through his exertions, and
the state owes him a deep and lasting debt of
gratitude.
Early in April last, this gentleman visited our
city, and to him principally"may he attributed the
results we have so happily experienced. In a
population of about 7000,' we have about 800
Washingtonians—of whom 70 were unfortunate
■ inebriates, and about 400 temperate drinkers.—
; Let us suppose the former to have averaged four
! brinks and the latter only one per day, at I2sc.
each, and we have a total saving of Thirty-one
| thousand andtwcnty-fivedollars peryear, or more
than enough to defray all the ordinary expenses
of your city, and .free the whole community from
| taxation ! This sum has actually been saved to
the members ofyour society, unconscious as they
may be of the fact. Who can calculate the
amount of suffering it has relieved —tile misery
it has averted—the crime and degradation it has
prevented, and the happiness and contentment it
may have diffused throughout your communitv ?
W hat noble munificence is here 1 Had some
Rothchild bestowed it in charity upon us, what
language would have been too laudatory—what
gratitude too extravagant —what monument too
lolly, as an acknowledgement of the high behest?
In its silent, unostentatious movements, your so
ciety has not escaped opposition; and yet it has
disregarded the voice of detraction, and gone for
ward in that spirit of “charity which suffereth
much” and is “not weary of well doing.”
Your committee have not been able to obtain
accurate information as to the decrease in the
traffic within your city. Some have abandoned
the business entirely—others find it greatly di
minished in amount and profit-and an old and
intelligent merchant thinks the decrease is at
least two-thirds upon the sales of former yews!
In 1840, there were granted in the city, 29 re
tail licences—in 1841, they decreased to 20—the
present year there are only 14, with the prospect
of a still further diminution in 1843. Os those
already licensed, some are only nominal, their
patronage having fallen off to such an extent that
their receipts are barely sufficient to pay the li
cense. One gentleman who, six months ago,
was realizing eight dollars per day from his bar,
candidly confesses that this source of revenue
was entirely cut off by a few weeks operations of
the Washingtonians, and admits that the reform
has had the effect of keeping nearly all his liquors
in the cellar.
These results have born attained solely by the
influence of public opinion—There has been no
force—no proscription—The members of your
society have simply abstained from drinking and
encouraged others to imitate their example.—
When the disposition to reform has been mani
fested, they have furnished employment, and en
couraged industrious exertion; and even when
members have violated their pledge and fallen,
they have not been deserted; but again and a
gain rescued, persuaded to renew tiieir obliga
tions, and cheered forward to redoubled efforts.
Is it matter of astonishment, that in some cases
you should have failed 1 Because your Society
has not saved every man, does it follow that it |
shall have no credit for the multitude who by its
efforts stand redeemed I The rescue of but one
man—the reinvigorating of his mind and heart—
and the reimplantation there of all the social and
domestic virtues—the restoration of peace, and
prosperity to but one family, would more than
repay for all the time and money and anxiety be
stowed upon the subject.
The man who saves his perishing fellow crea
ture from an untimely end, is applauded—he who
battles tor his Country, is counted worthy of
lasting honors and unstinted gratitude—the phi
lanthropist,though laborin 'j n an humbler sphere,
may be equally certain of his reward. It may be
instable as time, but it will be enduring as eternity
Respectfully submitted.
S. T. CHAPMAN, 1
JAMES HARPER, > Committee.
WM. HAINES, Jr. }
Drunken Ned came home one night, and had
scarcely reached the center of the room, when
down he came. “ Wife,” said he, “ what did you
grease the floor to-night for % You have made it
so slippery I can’t stand on my feet.”
For the Washingtonian.
Mr. Editor —Now that the Tomahawk of po
litical strife is buried, and all party rancour and
ajiimosity have subsided, I would respectfully
invite our fellow-citizens to rejoin us in our la
bors for the promotion of the Temperance cause.
Aside from party distinctions, we are all united
in behalf of the national weal; and this it is, that
insures us our republican institutions will flour
ish—for they are the people’s, and the people all
feel deeply interested in their preservation. Here
every man is monarch of his own will, and he
wills the success and prosperity of his own cher
ished institutions. Our government, in common
with like governments, is dependent on the peo
ple for permanent duration—and to the perma
nency of all free governments, morality is indis
pensable; the people should lie instructed, there
fore, as well in moral and religious, as in civil
and political doctrines; for without a strict obser
vance of moral and religious principles, no people,
no country, can enjoy the sweets of uninterrupted
freedom. Athens w;is once the fairest flower that
unfolded its beauty on the plains of Greece—its
delight; ill fragrance charmed the proud Grecians,
and they cultivated it. But its doom was soon
sealed; for industry, morality and religion, gave
place to vice, corruption anil indolence—conse
quently the blossom faded, and its tainted odour
now quietly sleeps on the silent winds of yore.
These remarks are well calculated to render
my invitation not only forcible, but acceptable to
every good citizen who considers himself thus
instructed, and who really takes an interest in
tho welfare and happiness of his country.
We were greatly animated with new hopes on
last Monday night, when the Anniversary of our
Society was celebrated. Our eyes were greeted
and our hearts cheered by one of the most bril
liant displays of moral beauty and grandeur that
has ever brightened the annals of our city. All
sexes and conditions convened at the Presbyteri
an Church, to offer up their mingled devotions at
tile hallowed shrine of sacred temperance. What
a sublime spectacle, to sec men forgetting their
passions, and loosing sight of their immediate
interests, in view of this noble and glorious
cause! What a cheering circumstance to sec
the beauty of our land smiling on this work of
humanity! Aye, 'tis cheering indeed! Their
smiles arc blflssoms of love, whose fragrance elate
with hope, and whose brightness fill with joy.
These facts, of themselves, are sufficient to
illumine our hopes with the dawning brilliancy
of success, and encircle our efforts with the
sparkling glories of victory.
We regret that at our celebration, not more
than ten names were annexed to tho list;—howe
ver, if each of these will, like the faithful servant
of whom we read in the Holy Book, improve his
talent tenfold, both we and they will have great
cause for rejoicing.
In conclusion, I would repeat my invitation,
and in addition, earnestly entreat all those who
have not yet joined in our efforts to promote good
order, peace, and sobriety, to do so now; and
thereby sanction that which, if it meet with uni
versal sanction, must shed a ray of milenial glory
and happiness abroad over the land, and cause a
shout of hosannah’s to swell the requiem anthem
that chanfs the funeral song of ruinous depravity.
ZENO.
For the Washingtonian.
Daiilonega, Oct. 18th, 1842.
Mr. Editor , —The glorious cause of Temper
ance has now, we hope, a firm foot-hold in this
town. Mr. Richard P. Taylor, that active friend
of the cause, paid us a visit on the 29th of Sep
tember, and remained four days, lecturing each
night to targe and attentive audiences; and judg
ing by the results which have followed his labors,
much good has been done. Such lectures had
never been heard in this place; they have given
the community new views and feelings on the
subject. On the 4th of October, those persons
who had signed the pledge met in the Court
house, and organized themselves into a Washing
ton Total Abstinence Society, At this meeting
an effort was made to make sweet cider an excep
tion to the pledge, but the attempt proved ineffect
ual, and was decided in the negative by a large
majority; therefore the pledge remains as it
should bo—total abstinencc--for there is no safe
ty in any other, at least so I have found it to be
in my case, as well as in many others. Some of
the members seem to think there is no harm in
using sweet cider; but no two could agree as to
how long cider kept sweet.—Some would call it
sweet while others would call it hard; and others
argued against the motion that hard eider might
be sweetened, and thus become sweet eider—
ft'hilc it had not lost its intoxicating <[uaiities.
Many persons will not sign the pledge on account
ot this clause. If they so fastidiously adhere t<r
the use ot one kinu of liquor, how long will it bo
before they have acquired a love lor every kind.
And there still remains many of our unfortunate
brethren who will not give the pledge the same
kind ot trial which we have done, and experience
the same good results. But we will not give them
up; for no one knows, hut a reformed drunkard,
the earnest desire wo have that they may he re
claimed, for we have fell the injurious effects,
therefore we can feci for them.
The following vote of thanks was unanimous
ly passed by the society:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Society he
presented to Mr. Richard P. Taylor, for his zeal
ous and active exertions in the Temperance
cause in our town and elsewhere, and for the
good we have every reason to believe he has done
in our midst.—Also, for the new impetus which
(he cause has received through his influence; and
that, he has the sincere and heartfelt wish of the
members of this Society, for his future welfare
and that of his family.
The Society is steadily increasing in numbers
and usefulness. We now number eighty-nine
members, among whom we can count twenty
who have been hard cases indeed.
I am pleased to see the rapid and increased
circulation ot your valuable paper in this place.
Yours, truly,
A Reformed Drunkard.
2jT The following is related as a dialogue be
tween a drunkard and his wife; it is in perfect
accordance with the unreasonableness of drunk
ards in general.
“ I say Molly, what have you got for dinner 1”
“ I told you this morning we had nothing in
the house.”
“O, well, let me take the baby, and you pick
up something.”
“So you told me this morning, but there’s no
thing to pick up.
“ Oh, pick up some codfish and potatoes, Molly,
pick up something.”
“But Mr. Lindsey there’s nothing in the
house.”
“ Nothing at all?”
“ No meal, nor bread, nor butter, nor potatoes,
nor a mouthful of anything that can be eaten.”
“ Well, well, Molly,l say pick up a little some
thing or other , and let us have some dinner, for
I’m in a hurry.”
List of Payments.
Wo have received the following payments for
the Washingtonian since our last publication :
Augusta.. Jesse Kent, to June 11, 1843; Rob’t
D. Carmichael, to Nov. 5, 1843.
Belair.. Charles Beall, to Oct. 15th, 1843.
Warrenton .. W. B. Hunley, to Nov. 5, 1843.
Vienna.. Dr. David J. Bothwell, to Nov. sth,
1843.
Latimer’s Store.. N. Turner, to Nov. 5, 1843,
(per John \V. Fowler.')
Rockbridge. .F. C. Diamond, N. W. Gordon,
James W. Hamilton, Joseph Bonds, James Dia
mond, to Nov. 5, 1843, (by John W. Fowler.)
McDonough. .Mrs. Susannah West, to Oct.
15,1843.
Dahlonega. .P, O. Connor, F. W. Lucas, A.
G. Wimpy, B. F. Swanton, S. D. Crane, Win.
Woods, Wm, Warwick, Mr. Lowery, James
Hunter, Mai. Stansel, Z. D. Mason, to Oct. I,
1843, John Davidson, J. Worley, to Nov. 5, ’43,
(by C. 11. Lcilncr.)
Canton.. James A. Maddox, to Nov. 5, 1843.
Marietta.. Rev. Isaac Waddcl, Jesse C. Far
rar, James Carlton, Lemma Kirtley, Hiram How
ard, R. A. Williamson, H. A. Fraser, Capt. J.
P. Spain, Rees H. Lin, Jesse R. Hannon, to
Oct. 15, 1843, Col. S. H. Long, to Nov. 5, 1843,
(by Jas. A. Cooper.
Clarksville.. W. C. Ritch, A. G. Pitner, Phil
ip Martin, Charles B. Word, Wm. W. Ally,
Alex. Erwin, A. P. Phillips, John Hunt, N. A.
V. Gurley, Jehu Stcrret, John W. Martin, A,
Alston, J. W. H. Underwood, Thompson Allan,
E. J. Panned, Mrs C. St. L. Stanford, to Oct. 1,
1843, (per. Lewis Levy.) Win. Smith and A.
G. Perryman, to Oct. 1, 1843.
Hamburg, S. C. .. D. L. Adams, to June ilth.
1843.
Chattanooga, Ten... Henry Timanus, to Oct.
15th, 1843.
Ilichlands, N. C... Bryan S. Koonce, to Oct.
15th, 1843, (G copies.)
Sneeds Ferry, N. C. ..C01. J. B. Pollock, to
Oct. 15th, 1843, (G copies.)
WASHINGTONIAN PLEDGES,
TV EATLY printed on Cards, for sale at this Office
Price, $2 per hundred. Societies can be sup
plied with any quantity, at short notice.
BOOK BINDERY & BLANK BOOK
MANUFACTORY,
OPPOSITE THE POST-OFFICE, AGGUSTA, GEO.
I3LANK BOOKS, of every description, made to order,
and all other kind of Books neatly bound.
June 11th. 1542. ' T S. STOY.