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THE WASHINGTONIAN:
AUGUSTA, APRIL 15, 1813.
Washington Total Abstinence Pledge.
We, whose names are hereunto annexed, desirous
of forming a Society for our mutual bene ft,
and to g&ard against a pernicious practice,
which i 3 injurious to our health, standing and
Jdmilies, do pledge ourselves as Gentlemen,
not to drink any
Splritous or Malt Liquors, Wine or Cider.
To THE PATRONS OF OCR PAPER AND FRIENDS OF
Temperance, generally. —Two more publica
tions alter to-day, and we ha»e completed the
first vol. of our paper. Thus far we have labor
ed diligently in the cause, determined that no
thing should deter the regular appearance of our
little sheet, for at least twelve months. Indus
triously have we applied ourself, to make the
Washingtonian a welcome messenger to all
good wishers of the cause we advocate. Many
promises were made bv our friends, when we en
tered into the publication of this work, which we
are indeed sorry to say, have not been kept as
punctual as we anticipated. We have no desire
to relinquish the work, if it is encouraged at
least sufficient to defray our expenses of publica
tion, and will not complain—we are willing to la
bor in so good a cause as Temperance, without
pecuniary reward. Wc have the press and type,
w and all wc ask, is, for the friends of Temperance
to sustain our work, anil it shall not go down.—
But, from the receipts of payments for the last
three or four months, our friends can perceive
that there has been barely enough received to pay
for the paper alone consumed on each No. Al
though our sheet is small, we have placed it at
such a low (nice, (in the hopes of bringing it
within the means of all to subscribe,) that not
less than six hundred paying subscribers will en
able us to publish yearly, without some loss.
Wc have fallen far stiort of this number the pre
sent year—up to the present time, wp have four
hundred and twenty-three subscribers, among
whom, nearly a hundred arc in arrears for our
paper. We have endeavored to avoid dunning
such of our subscribers this far, under the hopes
that, from our small receipts, those who had not
paid, would seethe necessity of aiding us, by re
mitting the amount due; and we now respectfully
ask of all, in the city and country, who have re
ceived our paper regularly since its commence
ment, and have not yet complied with our terms,
“ payable in advance,” to do so at as early a peri
od as possible, for we are much in need of their
assistance.
If we arc compelled to discontinue the Wash
ingtonian, for want of patronage, after the expi
ration of the present volume, it will be with much
regret that we do so; but if the friends of Tem
perance will aid us sufficiently in the undertaking
the services of a competent Editor for the work
will be engaged, and our paper enlarged and pub
lished weekly, on the commencement of another
year. We submit to the friends of Temperance
generally the above, and ask. their aid in cairying
it into effect.
Proceedings of (he Washington Total Ab
stinence Society of Augusta.
Methodist Church, April6th, 1843.
The Society met this evening, according to
previous notice.
The meeting being organised, the exercises
xvere commenced with prayer, by Rev. George
F. Pierce.
The Minutes of the previous meeting being
then read and approved,
Rev. Mr. Pierce arose and addressed the audi
ence with much earnestness, shewing the impor
tance and necessity of constant exertion in this
great and good cause, on the part of each mem
ber of this Society.
The Pledge was then circulated, and nine sig
natures received.
The meeting then adjourned, to meet again on
Thursday evening next, in this house.
WM. HAINES, Jr. Sec’ry.
Methodist Church, April 13, 184-2.
The Society met this evening, according to ad
journment. The meeting was opened with pray
er by Rev. Mr. Pierce. The minutes of the pre
vious meeting were then read and approved;
after which, Rev. Mr. Pierce addressed the meet
ing in a warm and affectionate manner. The
pledge was circulated and five signatures obtain
ed—and it is to be hoped that a new impulse has
been given to the cause.
The Society adjourned to meet again, at the
call of the President.
WM. HAINES, Jr. Secretary.
US' We would call the attention of the officers
and members of the several Temperance Socie
ties in this State, to the annexed card of the pub
lisher of the Banner.
•W) THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES
IN GEORGIA.
Particular Request.
The undersigned, Publisher and Proprietor ofi
the Temperance Banner, is dcs-rous of procur
ing a list of all the Societies in Georgia, together
with the nutnlier of members in each society, dis
tinguishing between males and females; also, the
nature of the pledge of each-whether upon the
old plan of excluding distilled or spirituous liquors
only, Total Abstinence, or Washingtonian. As
the matter now stands, it is doubted whether any
individual, or body, in tile state, has any thing
like an accurate knowledge of the number of S.T
cielies, or the number of individuals in the state,
who have enlisted in this good cause. The ne
cessity and use ofsuch information is apparent,
without assigning reasons in this place for the
call. The Secretary, Corresponding Secretary,
or some other individual in each society, will
greatly oblige the undersigned, by making out a
list in accordance with the above plan, together
with any other information deemed interesting,
and communicating it to him, with as little delay
as possible. BENJ: BRANTLY,
Publisher and Proprietor of the Banner.
Penfield, April 1,1813.
O* Publishers of papers throughout the State
are respectfully requested to give the above one
or two insertions.
Extract of a letter from a friend, dated,
“Charleston, (S. C.) April 4th, 1843:
“ The glorious cause is far from being in a
languishing state in this city, at the present time.
It would do you good to attend some of our meet
ings. Among the various societies, meetings are
held almost every night in the week. Being a
member of the Charleston Total Abstinence So
ciety, I of course prefer to attend its meetings, al
though my limited time does not permit me to
attend all of them, as I would wish to do, —for
they are certainly among the most interesting
and instructive meetings that haveever been held
in this city. With the exception of a few weeks
in the last summer, the places of meeting have
always been filled, and often to overflowing
clergymen and laymen, professional and labor
ing men, merchants a,nd mechanics, have enga
ged in the mighty work —some originating, some
planning, some writing, some speaking, some
singing- -and all doing something to keep the to
tal abstinence bail in motion ; and they have suc
ceeded wonderfully well. And the Ladies, too,
have not been idle: hence, perhaps, the remarka
ble success of the society; for you know that when
they engage in any object, success surely attends
it, The society now numbers nearly fifteen hun
dred members, and is weekly increasing, some of
the hardest drinkers having signed the pledge.
Recently a new hall has been fitted up for the
use of the Teetotallers, and was opened a few
weeks since, with the most gratifying prospects —
for although it is much larger than the old one,
a great number were obliged to return after try
ing in vain to gain an entrance; and at every
meeting since, man}' have been compelled to
stand. Last night the hall was tastefully deco
rated, arrangements having been made to present
a splendid Banner, lately received from New
York ; and half an hour previous to the hour ap
pointed, the room was filled, notwithstanding the
evening was damp and unpleasant. Besides,
the imposing Banner, there were arranged around
the sides of the room the Society’s Pledge, the
Temperance Coat-of-Arms, and divers other ap
propriate devices, all well executed, which have
their legitimate influence.
“ I have merely time to add, that there are
three more societies here, holding weekly meet
ings—with what success I know not—perhaps
some of their members will favor you with an ac
count of them. Yours truly.”
If this century is unmarked by any great event
other than the temperance movement, it will
stand prominently out from the years of the
Earth’s age, as paramount in its influence on the
happiness and advancement of man.
For the Washingtonian.
THE FIRST GL.ASS.
George Stanly was the name of a young man,
who once resided in one of the smaller towns of
our republic. He was no hero: let it be fairly
understood, —only a plain, honest youth, desti
tute of fortune or any of those enviable distinc
tions which give persons prominence in the fash
ionable world; but possessed what are far better,
intelligence and education. It appeared strange
to the wonder-loving portion of the village, that a
being like him, who seemed formed for the de
light of the social circle, should ha v e such a dis
taste for society, and all those little forms, and
civilities, which were kept up around him; but it
seemed as if he were perfectly happy in the quiet
path he had chosen, and scorned the censure or
applause of mankind. He knew little or nothing
of the world, yet felt perfectly safe, amidst the
temptations by which he was surrounded; not
knowing that that very sense of security, would
prove exceedingly dangerous in the hour of trial.
“Stanly, how are you this fine morning'!” said
a breathless companion (the only one whom he
called Iriend,) as they met in the street, “you will
certainly be at my sister’s bridal to night,—throw
aside a little of that haughty’ reserve, exchange
that grave, student-like expression, for one more
befitting a wedding festival, and laugh and talk
nonsense for once in your life.”
“ Well Carroll, I will come, for your sake; but
it will be long again, before I shall grant myself a
similar indulgence. I love solitude, and find
whenever I mingle much with the.world, it un
fits me for the sober duties, enjoined by my pre
sent mode of living.”
“ Adieu, then, until I sec you to night,” said
Carroll, and away he flew like an arrow, it being
a busy day with him. “To-night” came, and
with it all the beauty and fashion of the place.
Stanly was fairly bewildered by the many bright
eyes, and hearts all turned to the song of joy
which greeted him at every turn. In a few mo
ments the bride and groom, with their attendants
were visible to all. The ceremony proceeded, it
was brief and simple, then came the congratula
tions, they all clustered round the newly wedded
pair, and offered up many pure, and heart-felt
wishes, for their future happiness.
The night passed on in merriment. In those
days “ Prince Alcohol” (us he is called) reigned
triumphant; no benefactor of mankind had dared
to mention total adstinencc, but wine and other
choice liquors, were freely circulated at festivals
of this kind.
“ Is this your manner of congratulating, Mr.
Soberite!” said Carroll, os he came up, and con
fronted Stanly, (who was standing apart, gazing
with saddened teelings, upon the degradation of
his fellows. “ Come take a glass with us, it will
cheeryouup.” I cannot Carroll. 1 dislike it, it is
poison to me! I consider the use of it no innocent
indulgence, it puts us on a level with brutes, a
way with your foolish persuasions. I am afraid
of it! but Carroll’s voice was soon drowned in the
uproar of others, who had flocked round him, en
treating him to take a drink with them, and so
Stanly at last ashamed to be thought a coward,
walked manfully up. and swallowed his first
glass. Alas! how many can trace the com
mencement oftheir downfall to the “first glass!’’
Alter that was taken, no persuasion was neces
sary to dispose of a second, third, &c., and
George Stanly walked home for the first time,
with an unsteady gait.
From this time, there was a marked change in
his demeanor; he became what is called by the
world a moderate drinker, neglected his business
and suffered his mind to fall from the high place
which it once held, sometimes it is true, he strug
gled to be free, but it was a faint effort, and in.
temperance conquered, however, not yet was he
the decided sot.
Time passed on.—l left my native village to
seek a home among strangers, and heard nothing
respecting Stanly tor years.
It was on a bright spring morning while tra
versing the streets of one of our northern towns
that my attention was directed to a man under
the influence of the “ crathur" staggering along,
with a parcel of noisy boys at his heels, pelting
him with dirt and stones, while he in return was
giving then the most abusive language, I ever
heard from mortal tongue. My sympathies are
always excited, in behalf of such creatures, so I
begged the boys to desist; but my entreaties only
drew from them the reply that “ he was nothing
more than an old drunkard, a complete nuisance
to the town, and not worthy the attention of a
respectable person.” Finally I walked up to him
and begged him to stop those horrid oaths. As I
watched him more closely, while he was replying
with another, it was with feelings of astonishment
and sorrow, that I recognized the features of
George Stanly! but few traces of his former self
remained, yet there was a certain peculiar expres
sion of countenance, that I could not mistake.
And is this, thought I to myself, all that remains
of the high-minded, noble looking Stanly. His
form was ben, as with the weight of years, his
cheeks hollow, and bloodless, his eye glazed, and
his whole person bearing the marks of premature
decay. I thought of him in his manhood’s prime,
when he trod the earth with a firm step, and a free
heart, full of bright anticipations, and I could not
but weep, as I beheld the blighting influence of
the destroyer. 1 made myself known to him, as a
former friend, of brighter days. Hcwassostupi-*
tied with liquor, as scarcely to comprehend what
I said; but I dragged him to my lodgings, where
I left him until sobered, when I exhorted him,
by all'the eloquence of which I was capable, to
reform himself. He stared at the bare possibility
of such a thing, so degraged was he in his own
estimation. The subject of Temperance was
then agitating the whole country. A reformed
drunkard lectured in town jthe next night, and
after great persuasion, I induced Stanly to ac
company me. The lecturer gave an account of
his own sad experience, depicted in strong langu
age the evils of intemperance, on the olher hand
the bossings attendant on a life of sobrioly ; men
tioned instances Os thousands of'hard cases,' that
had been reclaimed, and were now useful mem
bers of society, and finally urged all who had not
done so, to come forward and sign the pledge. It
was a trying time. I entreated him not to let so
solemn an appeal pass by unheeded, gradually he
yielded to my persuasions, and Stanly again
walked •manfully up, not to sip his “first glass”
but to inscribe his name on the temperancepledge.
Never shall I forget my feelings at that moment.
I felt as if a soul had been reclaimed from the en
emy of all mankind.
George Stanly yet lives, nnd in the possession
of every ea; thly blessing. His mind has resumed
its former healthy tone, and he is considered by
all, as one who ranks high in the scale of intel
lect. His history furnishes a sad warning to the
young man, who is in the act of taking his “ first
glass.” True he was reclaimed, but all are not,
then dread the very appearance of evil.
ISIDORE.
Decatur, April, 18-13,
A Scene.
Morning after Election. —“Pa, docs wine
make a beast of a man ?”
“Pshaw! child—perhaps once in a while.”
“ Is that the reason why Mr. Goggins the tav
ern keeper, has on his sign “entertainment for
man and beast 1"
“ Nonsense, child; what makes you askl”
“ Because ma says that last night you went to
Goggins,a man, and came home a beast; and
that he entertained you.”
“ That’s mother’s nonsense dear. Run out
and play; pa’s head ache’s.”
The total amount of the indebtedness of the
several states, is estimated at $l9B 818,736 35
That of Georgia is sl,3o9,'7oo—less than any
other State. Pennsylvania owes $36,330,044,
and Alabama,sls,4oo,ooo. The States of Ver
mont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Con
necticut, New Jersey, Delaware, No th Carolina
and the Territory of lowa, have no public debt.
A Horrible Stoi y.
The Pittsburg Sun of the 23d ult. tells the
following story, and as it will be perceived Vouch
es for the respectability of its authority. makes
the heart thrill with horror to read it: 4
A gentleman just from Armstrong county, in
this State, informs us of an accident of the most
appalling nature. There is no fear, to
doubt the truth of it. It happened at what is fa
miliarly called a 11 raising," a gathering of neigh
bors to erect a log barn.
While the men were engaged in erecting the
barn, some women were catching chickens, and
cutting their heads off, preparatory to the feast
usually served up on such an occasion. Two
children, a boy and a girl, having observed the
process gone through with by the women, with
the chickens, one ot thorn laid his head down on
a block of wood, while the other proceeded to
chop her head off with a hatchet. The two men
on the top of the barn, who were in the act of re
ceiving a log from those who were pushing it up
from below, hearing the screams of the women,
and terrified at seeing the horrid sight, let go
their hold of the log, which fell and crushed nine
persons to death. Thedetailsofthis horrid affair
are too sickening to admit us to dwell upon them;
it is sufficient to state that our informant may be
relied on,
List of Payments.
Augusta. .Joseph Polhill, paid to June 11, ’43
Lavsrtncevillt .. Dr. James M. Gordon, paid to
Dec. 3, 1843.