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THE WASHINGTONIAN:!
AUGUSTA, OCTOBER It, 1848.
U'athiiiglon Total Jlbsltnenee Pledge.
We, whose names are hereunto annexed, desirovs
'■ of forming a Society for our mutual benefit,
and. In guard against a pernicious practice,
which is injuriousto our health, standing and
families, do pledge ourselves as Gentlemen,
not to drink any
Splrttoua or Malt Liquors, Wine or Cider. ;
■ ■' v.^=idfe-.=ia3='T,I
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. W. T. Brantly, Dr. F. M. Robertson,
“ WJ.Hard, Dr. D. Hook,
“ C, S. Don, S. T Ch.pman, Esq.
“ Geo. F. Pierce, James Harper, Esq,
Col. John Miu.edge,
r—=---rr-t rr :
0(7- To Distant Subici'skim.—Post Masters are au
thorized by law to remit money to the publishers of 1
newspapers and periodicals, in payment of subscrip- i
tions. Subscribers to the Washingtonian can therefore ,
pay for their papers without subjecting themselves or
the publisher to the expense of pottage, by handing the <
amount to the Post Master, with a request to remit it.
G3”The communication of W, A. L. ,
was too late for this paper—we will give
it a place in our next. .
our City.
By the kind providence of God, our 1
city has enjoyed uninterrupted health du- I
ring the past season. The majority of i
our merchants have returned, bringing '
with them an abundant supply of goods. 1
The stock now on hand, is unusually i
heavy, and from what we can learn, has (
been well laid in. Our friends in the t
country, would do well to spend a day or i
two in a survey of our stores, before going
further. Our merchants are determined l
to sell as low as those of any Southern (
city. Business for this early stage of the t
season is quite brisk. Cotton is coming t
in rapidly, and fair prices are readily of- t
sered and taken. r
Since writing the above, we have been t
favored by one of our friends, a merchant i
of high standing, with a letter from a 1
largo New York house. We give the i
following extract:—“ Do not sacrifice |
your bagging and rope, as you cannot
replace them at the prices, for which you I
purchased them.” Thero has been an j
advance on many articles of as much as I
10 per cent., since the fall purchases. I
Our friend informs us that the merchants t
of Augusta will not take any advantage i
of the advances in Northern markets, but i
will continue to sell at fair profits on what
they gave, when they laid in their stocks. <
More goods have come, and more are ’
coming. <
Our Society.
Our Constitution requires that the
officers be elected on the 4th Monday in
October. Can we not make a commence
ment for a series of campaigns at that
time. Lot there be a strong mustering ,
upon the evening of the 4th Monday.
We would suggest to the ‘powers that be,’ ,
the propriety of having a speech or so
upon the occasion.
The Charleston Temperance Society.
We are glad to learn that this Society
is about to introduce the tract system in
South Carolina. There is scarcely any
mode of doing good, more effectual than
tract distribution. No speaker has so
much attention paid him—none, so many
opportunities for speaking—none, so few i
prejudices to meet, as these unobtrusive
little preachers of temperance, and right- j
cousness. They can go any where, and <
every where, and are ever exerting their <
influence for the welfare of our race.
We believe that temperance tracts are
the very things we want at this time—
They are published auhe very low rate of
fifty cents per hundred numbers, of four
pages each. We should be pleased to
see some specimen numbers.
OO" The Post Master at Oak Lawn,
Ga. will receive our thanks for the sub.
scribers he has sent us. We are glad to
learn that the Oration of W. C. Dabney,
Esq. (published some time since in our
paper,) has effected some good. Our
friend does well in lending the Washing,
tocian to his neighbors. We hope our
subscribers will do the same thing. We
approve of the plan of lending good books
and good newspapers.
I
A Cheap and Useful Paper
It would seem that such a paper should
|have an almost unlimited circulation. It
(meets both the pecuniary and moral
wants of our times. But how cheap
;should it be afforded, not to be deemed a
gratuity ? We suppose that two cents a
week would be as cheap as any man could
desire. Tell it at home and abroad, then,
! Washingtonians, that a highly reputable
j paper, the Augusta Washingtonian, is
offered to the people of Georgia, at less
than two cents a week; yes, less than
two “redcents.”
Agitation and Anti- lixcltement.
There are some minds that can never
be made to act, save in the whirlwind of
excitement. Hence it is that politicians
and others are perpetually wishing to pro
duce a “great excitement,” reckoning
their chances of success by the propor
tion of agitation which they can get up. j
With minds of this stamp, there is no
fixedness. Principle with them is no
thing. You must treat them as a steam
engine—heat them red hot, and then!
they will move on like a loco-motiye—
Take away the fire, and they are as in
ert as the engine that is deprived of steam.
Hence the uncertainty of tho zeal of the
mere agitator, and hence his general in
efficiency in any cause to which he may
attach himself!
The antipodes of such minds, are;
those, who are so afraid of commotion,
that they are fearful of effort, and are al
ways remiss in the performance of duty.
Their excess of caution completely para
lyses their energy, and begets sluggish
indolence. These men will never do to
carry on a reformation. They are al
ways loitering in the distance—remote
from the scene of action.
Far different from these persons, are
the men who attach themselves to any
cause from principle. From the cause
they gather motive for exertion, and in
the cause they spend it. To them the
cause is every thing. Convinced of its
rectitude, they give to its advancement,
their hearts and their hands. They do
not adhere to it for the excitement it may
beget, neither do they betray it for the odi
um which may be cast upon it. We re
peat, the cause to them is every thing.
Tho time has come, when we must sus- j
tain the Temperance Reformation from
principle. It is a good work. What
has not been accomplished by it ? God
has smiled upon it; and by it we hope to
see our land purged of much of its cor
ruption. Let us make continued and
systematic effort for its advancement.
We must attend the meetings of our So
cieties—sustain our paper—and in pri
vate and public, advocate the great inter
ests of the Temperance reformation.
New Society.
We are often amused at the ease with
which any kind of a society is gotten up.
In our good land, we love to operate by
masses, as if it were supposed that effici
ency was owing to weight. As a gene
ral rule, we think, that what can be done
as well by personal effort, ought not to
be attempted by societies. There are
some grounds for fearing, that the multi
plicity of associations affect individual
exertion, and tend to the lessening of in
dividual responsibility. But to our no
tice; —an Anti-fruit-stealing Association
has been recently formed in Worcester!!
We would recommend to the association,
the propriety of forming itself into a com
mittee of the whole, and placing each
member of it as a sentinel over his own
garden. We think that this plan rigor
ously pursued will accomplish the object
of the society ! What next!!
We welcome to our exchange list, a
“New and Cheap Daily Paper,” styled
the Rambler. It is published in Charles
ton, by Miller & Browne, and is edited
by that talented son of South Carolina,
John B. Irving, M. D. The paper is well
“gotten up.” Its mechanical execution
does credit to the printers. We give to
our readers the following extract from
the Editors address to the public.
“The Paper will be of medium size, but
though petite in its dimensions, it will be
rendered, it is hoped, comparatively large
, and bountiful in its produce, distinguished
, for the adroitness, with which it will
adapt its contents to the necessities and
prevailing taste of its Patrons.
1 “It will be the aim of the Editor, to the
.utmost of his ability to characterize it by a
cheerful, gentlemanly, and entertaining
I spirit;'—-by sketches of society and man
t ners; “types of Travel;” —descriptions
I of public Edifices in the city; Reviews
of the learned Professions, clerical, legal
' and medical—Critiques on the Charles
ton Bar, and the Charleston Pulpit—
i their Members—grades of talent—styles
l]of pleading, preaching, &c. —above all,
|by original notices in detail of every
Diversion—On dit, —and event of
' interest in the city, whether of fun,
3 frolic, fashion, humor, wit, sentiment,
f pathos, fancy or Imagination!”
> Its size is Quarto.—-Price $2 per six
months.
An Editor in Trouble.
Our brother, the Samaritan (Provi
f dence) complains bitterly of the violent
to him, as a Temperance Re
■|former. He writes of “outrage;” says
;!that “his property, and life are in jeo
pardy;” that he has “no sure protection
.! but the Almighty.”
> We have thought better things of the
• people of Providence, and we still do.—
| We are disposed to think that the zeal of!
our brother far over-reaches his prudence.
He uses too heavy a whip, and lays on
with all his might. Be temperate, bro
ther, and “persuade men” to abandon
: the cup and the traffic.
OCT Good advice to Controversialists.
When a horse kicks you, and you feel a
strong desire to kick the horse in return
—dont you do it. Olive Branch.
EDITORIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
The Last Election.
It has been said by many persons, and
we fear but too truly, that there was
more drunkenness abroad in our streets
on the 2d inst., than has been witnessed
at any election for years. It is to be ob
served in justice to the city that most of
the persons seen reeling in a state of
beastly intoxication on that day were
from the country. —It was perfectly ap
parent however from the disgraceful ex-,
hibitions referred to, that the Washing-!
tonians of Richmond County have a
plenty to do yet. There is no opportu
nity to rest on our oars so long as any
• victims of strong drink remain to excite
• our sympathies and call forth our efforts.
To make the reform universal, every
J I
• Washingtonian must become an activej
> agent in diffusing his principles. He';
must neglect no means to gain recruits,!
1 he must be, at least in a private way, a
1 temperance lecturer, wherever he goes.
• Washingtonians! You arc committed to
I a work of benevolence in which you
■ must never tire, your effort* must not
■ cease until there is no Jpnger any material
■on which to operas?” J ’' “Quit. you like!
■ men.” * D.
v i
Messrs. Editors. —lt has been demon-;
strated that intemperance is ruinous to
morals, health, character, property, and
happiness, and yet men quaff the intoxi
cating bowl! The Bible declares, the
’ drunkard shall not enter into the king
' dom of Heaven, and yet men voracious
ly drink as if nothing short of the drunk
• ard’s character could satisfy them! The
whole armory r of- argument and motive
j drawn from these resources have been ex
hausted, and yet drunkenness is the re
" proach of our country—our race ! What
shall be done next ? To what mode of
| warfare shall the friends of temperance
' now resort ? These are grave questions
1 and demand serious consideration. To
‘ desert the field of battle and leave victo
ry in the hands of the boasting rum sell
-1 ers, will never do—the name we bear for
’ bids it, —the cause we fight for forbids it.
Crafty policy was justifiable in Paul, —it
will be justifiable in us, for like him we
, fish not for men’s property, but for the
j men themselves. On this subject we
. would suggest the following remarks, for
] your reflection before answering the above
? questions:
1 In battles fought between contending
, nations, it is often found that heavy ord
j nance fail to be efficacious because they
, overshoot the enemy. The loud mouth
ed cannon is then silenced, and the dead
t ly rifle, the musket, the bayonet and the
; glittering sword, are made to do the work
?of death and victory. We must learn
• from this custom of war. Wisdom, vir
| tue, religion and life eternal, are pieces
of artillery entirely too heavy for our an
e tagonists and their legions—they over
ly shoot their vulnerable parts. In other
t words, arguments from these high and ex
- alted sources are entirely above the com-
of their grovelling and sen
jisualminds. We must come down to
.ismall arms and the close encounter—
- we must touch their interests, and let
>| loose upon them “the dogs of war” that
’ can reach and bite them—ridicule and
satire. I propose, therefore, that you in-
Jvite those gifted with talents of this kind,
,jto occupy’ the columns of the Washing
tonian with graphic descriptions of, the
peculiar beauties of the drunkard—their
i noble principles of action—their ways
and means of raising the wind for a drun
. ken debauch—their high-souled indepen
dence of conduct when in the presence
.jof their masters, the rum sellers—their
s exalted exhibitions of patriotism when
. penned for the polls, &c. &c.
i! Your correspondent “Obed” has resort
ed to the instrument that must represent:
.’the rifle in this warfare Nothing ap
-1 palls the hero of the bottle, like the sharp,
f: quick crack of the piece, that kills his
, hopes of pelf and indulgence without la
i hour. His lead should be followed. Let
. the ladies be roused to the course of ac
i tion recommended by him, and haif of
the best looking of the troops of our ad
versaries are discomfited at once. Loaf,
ers and lazy drones, have but one hope in
1 existence—cut off this and they must re
-1 form or die. This hope with one class of
them, is to better their fcondition by mar
riage—of the other, to effect the same
object by stealing or cheating. For this
last class we have also a shot that must
I reform or kill. It is this :
Let men of business dismiss from their
, employment every labourer or clerk who
so much as tastes the “Critter” or keeps
bad hours. Their true interests as well
as humanity, demand this course of con
duct, for it is their time, money or goods
that pays for the liquor and every conse
quent vicious indulgence. We have been
'so situated as to find out, that it is not
j generally the wages or salary of these
people that pays for their vices, but the
dry-goods, groceries, time or money of
their employers. Nothing else could be
, expected from the unprincipled slaves of;
grog lust, and nothing else will be found.
jLet our business men therefore be advis
, ed, and act as their safety requires. A
,1 hint to the wise is sufficient. A bold Stand
; must be taken—the rum seller and the
rum drinker are impoverishing thecoun
try and corrupting its morals, and men of
, business, virtue, and industry must act
, decisively, or they are undone. They
have the power to reform the age if they
1 will unite and speak out in their actions
■ las well as in their words. If the virtuous
i fear the wicked, they are lost—if they
do not fear them, they may rule them at
! pleasure. H.
,
I Wine at Weddings.
Is it well to introduce an unnecessary j
; thorn among roses? Is it wise to let;
• loose a serpent in the nuptial bower? Is
• it so sad a time that wine must be brought
- in to banish care, and to sustain a faint
; ing heart ? It is indeed a serious move
; ment though it be a joyful one. But the
- seriousness arises not from the anxious
■ anticipation of evil, it springs from the
t thought of the eventful consequences of
f that bower. Upon it hinge the earthly
: happiness, and, in great measure, the mo
s ral character and the eternal destiny of
)at least two immortal beings. These are
- thoughts which it is salutary to cherish.
- They give a higher value to the joys of
- domestic life. They chasten the exuber
. ance of thoughtless gaiety, while they
t discipline the heart to loftier, nobler, and
e holier aspirations. They prepare the
e minds of the parties for the trials of mar
e ried life—for such there are, and half the
r self-improvement to be gained from do
b mestic relations would be lost if there
were none. Oh ! banish not these sa
-1 lutary and not unhappy reflections by re
- sorting to the wine cup! It would be a
serious impeachment of any man’s sen
- sibility to suppose him destitute of these
- feelings on such an occasion. Let him
b not then throw insult upon all that is pure,
i and unsensual, and exalted within him
3 by seeking the mirth that comes from
- wine. Its touch contaminates the lips
s that have but now breathed the vow of
- love and faithfulness, and unsullied troth
- till death.
r ! t
For tbe W&shingtonifen.
OLD JOXEB* TALKS,
NEW SERIES—No. 9.
About them South Carolina folks; our
Georgia Convention; the Drunkard
and the Apples, dfc.
Mr. Augusta Washingtonian, aixl all you Gen
tlemen and Ladies what reads this paper:
As you were kind enough to listen to
the Talk I gave you all some time back,
and as I hope you’ll be charitable enough
to make every ’lowance for my queer
way o’ talkin’, I just concluded to pro
' voke you to good works by telling you how
1 them folks over in “The South State” do
things. The fact is they do beat us Geor
gia people all hollow. Why I seed a lit
tle book, (a pamphlet I b’lieve they call
it,) givin’ an account of a Temperance
Convention they had over there in Au
gust, that just takes the shine off of every
thing in the Southern country in that line.
I write from memory —but think I am
right, when I state that “there was upwards
of one hundred and thirty societies repre
sented by about three hundred and twen
ty-five delegates—and I think they give
an account of more than sixteen thous
land five hundred members in the State,
■and said moreover that that Was’nt, nigh
all.” Well done for the South State!
Among the delegates, I see the names of
some of her noblest, most talented sons.
Goon gentlemen.—Unborn generations
will rise up and call you blessed I
We folks in Georgia enn’t half way
come up to that—no, we are for behind
our South Carolina brethren in this mat
ter. Is there not a cause ? Verily there
is. Well, what is it? There is one in
fluence in Georgia whoso chilling, dead
ening, blighting power is not felt in S.
Carolina—l mean the influence of An
ti-ism : Anti-mission, Anti-education, An
ti-temperance, and Anti-every-thing-that
is-good. Here’s the secret. I think we
started ahead of our neighbors in this
glorious enterprise; we certainly have as
ardent, if not as talented friends of the
cause in this State, as in that—but alas
for us and our people ! we have against
us an opposition against which we make
but slow progress. At the bar of God
the drunkard’s woes, and the cries and
wrongs of his helpless family, will rise
up to the fearful condemnation of some
who bear the Christian name.
And now, ye Georgians ! whether ye
be climalised Yankees, or adopted Irish
men, or regular born natives —so ve be
temperance men—l challenge you to
meet Old Jones, in the town of Eaton
ton, at the time appointed by that Pen
field Committee, and let us have all sorts
of a Convention ! Come from the low
country, from the up-country—from the
marshes, from the mountains!! Come
ye Tvler-men, and Clay-men, and Cal
houn-men—come one, come all!!! Them
[Eatonton Washingtonians will make you
jail feel as welcome as if you we e their
kin. Old Jones has been turning loose
his blunderbuss singlehanded long en
ough. The old man wants to see the
i temperance army regularly organized be
i fore his bald grey head rests on its last,
cold pillow.
Some how I’ve got powerfully taken
:ur> ’«’i?htheni folks in “the South State.”
1 *
I saw a gentleman lately who spent ten
days in Charleston, and saw but one. drun
ken man in the time. He was in tbe mar
ket, and, having purchased some apples,
was trying to hold them in his arm 3. Oc
casionally as one would fall, he would
stand and look after it with the drunk
ard’s vacant, foolish stare, to the infinite
' amusement of a gang of negro boys.
Only one drunkard to be seen in Charles
' ton in ten days! I wonder if as much
' can be said for Savannah—or even for
Augusta. Ol» Jones.
At the same old pine Table, Oct. 9th,
' 1843.
t _
COMMUNICATED.
I think I have never heard the obser--
i vation made, that generally misers live
■to a great old age. This, however, is the
■ case so far as my observation has extend--
i ed, and the secret is easily explained, at
! least, to my satisfaction. They pursue
i for gain some course of life which keeps
i them in constant and healthful exercise ,
s which is admitted to be the most effectual
f physic in throwing off the superfluities of
i the body—in raising the proper ferments
and promoting the circulation of the
blood.