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THE WASIMMiTOM AN. AUGUSTA. WAKCH 29, 1845. I EDITORIAL COMM! r im Rev. W. T. Bkaxtly, Dr. D. Hook, “ VV. J. Habd, J\me* Harper, Esq, '• C. S. Don, A. W. Noei., Esq. {W- To Dhtajii StjßAOKtsrsj.—Post Masters are au i thoiizeJ by law to remit money to the publishers of newspapers and periodicals, in pajroent of suhscrip. tions. Subscribers to the Watkin.tunian can (herefoi e pay for their papers without subjecting themselres or the publisher to the expense of postage, hy handing the amount to the Post Master, with a request to remit it. Klmms* Monthly Magazine. Mr. Holmes has kindly placed on our ta ble iho March number of this interesting periodical. Its contents will furnish quite a pleasant repast. At least we think so from the glance we have taken of them. We shall try the work, and think that others may do so without risk of time or ; money. — ■ l. -:.r l Our correspondent, Sicklk, proposes an excellent plan for keeping up the inter- . est of our meetings. We hope it will be | tried. By this means some of our holi- | day temperance orators, who are so dread- , fully afraid of “ becoming common,’' and ( who therefore will not speak more than ( once in one or two years, may be indu- t ced to come out frequently to show off' , in debate. Many young men may he , stimulated to take part in our discussions. , Such a plan would be likely to bring out , a respectable squad from the Franklin < Debating Society, who would bo willing , to enter tho arena as Paddy would, “for the more fun of tho thing.” We like tho suggestion not only because it would | furnish speakers, but because it would i give them something to talk about. A gain, tho novelty of the affair, ns well as , tho excitement consequent upon a debate , would draw out an assembly. Wo hope tho officers of the Society will try the plan proposed by our correspondent. Our I.«st Meeting, We are told, was quite a pieasnnt one. Several addresses wero made in good taste. Our excellent Ex-President, Dr. Joseph A. Eve, from tho pressure of pro fessional duties, tendered his resignation, which was accepted. A thorough-going temperance tnan, and an ablo officer, Dr. D. Hook was chosen. He delivered an ' effective inaugural—during which, he in 1 the name of the Society tendered its I thanks to our late presiding officer, for his valuable labors in the temperance cause. This was happily done, and was warmly applauded by the auditory. We | trust that under the auspices of the new President, wo will move onward, accom. ; plishing more and more for tho reforma- 1 tion of our fellow men. Benevolence. This is a noble attribute. Without it no character is perfect. It not only gives lustre to all other excellences, but it is in dispensable to all. There is no virtue, no quality, which does not suffer loss, when considered as separated from it. Justice when isolated, is astern virtue— Wisdom unconnected with it, is a cold, icy attribute. There can be no enter prise morally great without it—lt digni fies and ennobles every quality, every work with which it is associated. Hence it is universally praised and eulogised— but it is not generally practised. How is this contradiction to be accounted for? Is it because we are so thoroughly selfish, that we cannot afford a place in our hearts to that generous virtue which not only wishes good, but does good ? Are we in love with it for the personal benefits it confers? It would seem so. How few there arc who hail with delight the op portunities presented them for doing good! Even these aro wearied by more than an occasional appeal to the kindness of their natures. The various artifices resorted to for getting contributions for humane in stitutions, is proof of the great lack of this virtue. Even the different Churches resort to means the most dignified , and certainly not the most grave and pious, for the purpose of extorting means from unwilling hearts and hands. Among them, may be mentioned Fairs. Whilst funds aro raised, we doubt if the benevo lence of the community is improved by them. It is with regret that we perceivethc Society of Washingtonians in Augusta, has been compelled to resort to a Fair, to meet its expenses—because it is a rebuke to Washingtonians : it impeaches their benevolence. Washingtonianism is the cheapest mode of doing good; yet the pittance required from 1400 members has been with-held, and shame upon us, we must beg to pay our debts. Wc would say to our readers, if they desire to be good and useful, they should cultivate benevolence. Let them em brace every opportunity for its exercise. Let them impose a tax on selfishness, when it rises up against aiding a good work. Let them dwell on the benevo lence of him, who bestows upon them benefits in rich profusion. Agriculturist. If the literal meaning of the word be adhered to, the world abounds in agricul turists—every ploughman, and every sower of seed and hoer of corn is an ag riculturist. But in its extended and mod ern sense, he only is an agriculturist, who improves his land—increases its produce —cultivates it neatly and properly—im proves ihe field apparatus—understands the analysis of soils—the properties of manures, the kind of culture the various crops require, dec., &c. How few there are in the South ! How important to us that there should he more. Under the caie of mere dirt diggers, nnd corn hoers, much of our sunny land has been well nigh ruined, and much more is on the way to ruin. Wo need the caro of scientific men to mako tho soil of our nearly exhausted plantations what it once was. However important such men would be, it is not to be expected that many far mers will at at once turn their attention to the science of agriculture. Indeed unless our colleges, or schools furnish the means for a strictly agricultural educa tion, tho number of men entitled to the namo of Agriculturist will ho limited.— Yet much may he done for the improve mont of the farmer and his lands, if ho would avail himself of the labors of some practical and scientific work.— Whilst we deprecate tho folly of South ern and Northern literature, or Southern and Northern religion or Southern and Northern science, yet to an extent we must have somo work on agriculture strictly Southern. The reasons arc evi dent. Our climate, soil nnd crops are peculiar, and should bo treated of by those who under stand them. We are told that tho Messrs. Jones are publish ing an excellent work, nnd wo sec by the papers that it is highly spoken of.— The editor, Mr. Camak, is said to ho an able man. Although this is mere hear say, for the publishers have not afforded us an opportunity of judging of its mer its, yet it is so respectably endorsed that wc venture to recommend the Cultivator published by the Messrs. Jones of Au gusta, to the attention of farmers and planters. Beware ot Mesmerism. A party of friends met at the house of Mr. P. in Burke, a few weeks ago, and among other things talked about, was Mesmerism. Some had read about the passes to be made—the power of the will, 6ic., but not one of them had ever seen an operation. One of the company pro posed in a joke, to try hispoweron a negro girl about 12 years old, who wn%presenl. He commenced the customary squeezing and rubbing—looked with fixed eyes into the darkey’s; when, to the amazement of the operator nnd the company, the ne gro was Mesmerized, and went into a sound sleep. Now the operator tried his power—bade her lift an arm, and it was lifted. So far, it was all fun. The sleep deepened—the pulse was felt—it was scarcely perceptible—the breathing be came feeble. One by one became alarm ed—the operator partook of the panic. The negro was shaken, but could not be roused. What shall we do ? was the ge neral cry. Some one proposed to “ let her sleep on”—that “she would awake by to-morrow.” The operator was wil ling to do this; but the owner of the girl told him, he “ had got the negro in to that fix, and he could not go until I he should, get her out.” Here was | fresh trouble for our poor novice in Mesmerism. He was troubled—the per spiration poured off his ruddy phiz Three hours passed away. The negro showed no sign of waking. Our fat friend perspired more freely. The Dr. some miles off was spoken of. Some thought the operator had gotten the ne gro into a bad box, and he thought so himself. Another hour rolled off; the negro opened her eyes. All hearts were glad—smiles played over the faces of the woe-begone company. The operator with solemn earnestness addressed the company in a short, but energe'tic speech j “Gentlemen, this is the first, and the last time.” Every man present now believes in the doctrine of Mesmerand no indi vidual among them would now allow any passes to be made over him. The negro was not conscious of any thing that had been been done. She was at first very much enfeebled. She is now doing well. The narration of this case is strictly true in every particular. For the Washingtonian. Messrs. Editors , —Would it not great ly increase the interest of our temper ance meetings, to publish a week before hand, the particular subject that should occupy the Society ? Temperance is in timately related to our personal, social, political and religious welfare; and, it seems to me, a subject which would bring one of these subjects prominently before the society, would be well calculated to elicit much useful information. Will you do a reader of the Washingtonian the favor to say what you think on this sub ject? and further, whether you think it would be prudent to debate this question —Ought the grogseller who sold A. B. the liquor which so disabled him that he could not get home, and caused his death soon after he was carried there, to be re ported to the grand jury, ns a trans gressor of the criminal laws of the State? This case is proposed at this time be cause the facts are now so old, that if it ho prudent to debate it at nil, it can be done without any undue feeling. Sickle. Tile la use. If there is one thing nbove another for which we love the Washingtonian cause, it is for its basis; for its foundation. It stands not upon the statutes framed by man. It does not depend upon the ex planations or arguments of lawyers. It asks not for decisions of Judges. It seeks no verdict from a Jury. But on the immutable laws of right and wrong, written by the Creator on the tablets of the hearts of men, it stands; and con science, all powerful conscience, is the Advncato who applies, and the Judge who decides upon the arguments adduced by the Washingtonians in favor of their pledge. The Washingtonian asks no protec tion from the law. He stands upon high er ground. He is protected by princi ple. He is protected bv his pledge, and the arm of his Maker, who, so long as he places his trust in Him, will never suffer that pledge to lose its efficacy or its power. What is it to the Washingtonian, or to the Washingtonian cause, whether the license laws are constitutional or not? What is it to him how lawyers argue, or how courts decide? Nothing—absolute ly nothing. He has never had assistance from the law—except to send him to the House of Correction, and thus plunge him into the abyss of degradation, de stroy his little remnant of self-respect, and by embittering his already wretched feelings of contempt for himself and ha- I tred of others, place him farther from i reformation. He has never employed [ the law in his labor of love, in pursua ! ding his wretched inebriate brother to forsake the ways of sorrow and again be come surrounded with friends, and again resume his place in society. The Washingtonian has never required the aid of the law in persuading the mod erate drinker to pause for a moment and survey the progress he has already made from the path of sobriety, and look into the dreary waste of intemperance which stretches its dark and gloomy pathway before him. Nor has he required its aid to persuade the young man to shun, as he should shun, disgrace and dishonor, which ever lies surely and inevitably in the wine, though ever so beautifully shielded from view, and presented under however fascinating circumstances.— Neither does the law aid the Washing, tonian to awaken the attention of fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers to the great claims which Total Abstinence [has upon all and every one in that ea ! pacitv, in preserving the social and do j meslic happiness of the human family from being entrenched upon, curtailed, j destroyed. The Washingtonian finds no necessity , for calling on the law to aid him, when he presents before the people the tiict that total abstinence from intoxicating drinks prevents pauperism, wars, riots, murders, thelts, robberies, tion, and all the black catalogue of crime at which humanity starts back apalled, and the mention ot which blanches her beaming face with deadly paleness. No aid of law is required here; conscience j comes in play; it convicts them of hein ous sin in not signing the pledge, and j giving all their influence to the cause of' total abstinence. Conscience, in its op- \ eration, takes away the disposition to do wrong, and with that diposition, the man is prepared now to do right, and a for vent laborer is gained. ()f what matter is it, then, to the Washingtonian what the decision of the Supreme Court may be ? None. Will we, if the court says tiic laws are unconstitutional, cease to point out the evils of intemperance? Shall we, if a decision is given in favor of the rum- J sellers, cease to persuade the inebriate to reform, the moderate drinker to pause in his career, tho youth to beware of the first glass? No ! we will nct. Wth God for our support; with the pledge for our shield ; with truth for our guide; with appeals to the hearts and consciences of men for our weapons, we will still march forward with our white banner of total abstinence floating over our heads; cheered on our march by the music of the song of the reclaimed ine briate, by the glad, joyous laugh of the wife, and the happy carols of the chil dren, to reform our glorious land. The decision of no earthly court can inter vene between the Washingtonian and his end in view. All law, or no law at all, can advance or retard us net one whit. We do not stand trembling or fearful ol any thing that mortal man can do or say; our leader is the One before whom the “wisdom of man is foolishness,” who “out of the mouths of babes and suck lings, perfects praise,” who “taketh the weak and foolish of this world to con found the mighty.” Onward Washingtonians—faint no! and fear not—thunder forth the truth; speak faithfuhy and fearlessly to the con sciences of men ; be earnest, and cease not for one moment in your labor of love, and your efforts of righteousness.— Our movement depends not upon that man or men whom John Tyler or James K. Polk, or any other weak, erring, frail, fallible mortal may place upon the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States for a few days or a few years. — Wc cannot be thrown flat upon our backs, our hands and our feet tied, so that we cannot move or stir if the license laws of this State are pronounced unconstitu tional. Therefore forward, look not be hind, nor to the right or to the left, one instant, but press onward for the redemp tion of mankind. Personal effort, and! faithful, earnest seeking to bring men to a sense of their personal danger, and their duty to themselves and their rela tives and friends, and thegrent family of human kind, will accomplish the ends ol the Washingtonian reform, and as we were blessed in the outset by these ex ertions, so will we be now, by a renewal of the same efforts. Let others tremble as they will; let them fear as they may ; let their move ment depend upon judicial decisions, whether it advances or retrogrades; that will not effect our movement; as we sow we shall reap ; and let us be earnest in sowing good seed, and we shall reap an abundant harveat. Forward, then, to the contest; Love, Faith and Char ity our motto. Truth and Persuasion our weapons. The Victory must and shall be ours.— Boston Washingtoni an. The Young our Hopt —Perseverance our i Duty. It is with peculiar pleasure that we wit ness the efforts put forth by the young men of our country to arrest the progress of intemperance. True, there are large numbers of them, even now, who are wedded to the cup and rapidly forming habits of confirmed intemperance. But how many there are who have nobly abandoned it, and stood forth the ardent advocates of tho cause of total absti nence ! How many of the very best of our younger brethren have had the moral courage to declare their hostility to the time-honored and too universally preva lent custom of taking wine at the festal party and the public house, while others, less courageous and of looser principles, have given themselves up to its delusive and fatal enchantments, and are advan cing, step by step, in the downward ca reer of the drunkard. Our hopes of the ultimate triumphs of the cause re6t, in no small degree, upon the rising race. If j the youth of our country would univer sally embrace our principles; if parents would diligently and prayerfully instil into the minds of their children a defence of these principles too strong for the temptations of tlie destroyer, and thus fix amongst their first and strongest impres sions a disgust for intemperate indul gence, (he next generation would be a generation of teetotallers, and our nation would rise, as on eagle’s wings, to the j loftiest summit of human glory. Parents ! teach your children, we be seech you, that the dangerous doctrine ; ofthe prudent use of intoxicating drinks is exploded. There is no such thing as their prudent use. As well might you talk of playing prudently with the rattle, snake or the panther thirsting for blood; jor of sporting prudently upon the crater of a volcano. As prudently may vou carry fire into a magazine of powder. The only safe, the only true doctrine w Inch will secure the co-operation of all classes in the work of reform, the only one which operates alike on all classes of society, is total abstinence. Fellow citizens! here is an enterprise worthy the efforts of every patriot and philanthropist. Your object is to rescue a large portion of the human race from destruction, and perpetuate to posterity the blessings you have inherited. Ifyou can secure to posterity virtue, intelli gence and sobriety, they are safe from anarchy and the attempts ofthe unprin cipled and aspiring; but the intemperate will be the fit tools for the ambitious and factious to accomplish their purposes of self aggrandizement. Cataline and his associates were men, who had spent their fortunes in riot and intemperance, and who expected to obtain, by the plunder of their country, new means of dissipation. From these dangers you have the means of securing your country, and with how little sacrifice! Never perhaps was there a time when so much might bo done to meliorate the condition of man with so little sacrifice. No wilderness is to be encountered. It is not necessary that we should shed our blood. To accomplish this object, we have but to follow the hold pioneers that have gone before us in the work ; to do that which contributes to our happiness and safety, live soberly, temperately.— Now, as ever, the future condition of this country is in the hands of its citizens. It you with your fellow citizens are neg lectful, and suffcrtliis monster to become reinstated in his dominion over us, our political heavens will be shrouded in darkness, the light of intelligence and morality will sink in gloom, and Ameri ca relapse into the degradation of Italy or Spain. If you persevere and perforin your duly, the drunkard's home shall become (he .abode of neatness, comfort and independence; she sufferings caus ed by infeinperance shall cense, and the tears it has-caused to flow shall he dried up. Persevere! Yours is the cause of humanity, and every effort put forth in its behalf will be doubly rewarded. Perse vere ! Your own safety and that of your children and your children’s children de mand it. Persevere! and receive for your reward the approbation of con science and thanks of those who shall be redeemed thro* your exertions.— Temp. Standard. The Reason why Mrs. C'ustis loved Wash ington. Throughout all Washington’s career, he never was known to he drunk. Many young men. as well as young ladies, looked upon this as a deficiency in his character and as necessary to give quali ty to a gentleman. Washington thought and acted quite differently, and so did Mrs. Custis, who became bis noble spouse. She was rich and accomplish ed, Washington was noble, sober, brave and patriotic. She might have obtained the hand of any gentleman in the colo ny, but her eye and heart were fixed up on Washington, and the first opporluniy she had she made it known to him; thus inverting the usual method by which hearts beating in unison with each other are made manifest. Washington was struck no less with admiration than sur prise for the reason she gave. What think you was the reason 1 Why, he was a sober man. She had beheld some of the most brilliant minds among the young men,of her day, cut down sud denly by this vice, and she herself had been an innocent sufferer. Washington accepted of her proposition, and pledged the honor of a sober man and a brave soldier, that as soon as he could be re leased from the trials and responsibilities of the warrior, the nuptial hands should be celebrated, which he did, and took his seat in the Legislature. The blun ders, mistakes and delays which attend ed others, never befel him. He was al ways ready for duty. His spouse, with her principles and fidelity—his princi ples and bravery, made him what he soon became —“first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country men.” When he was appointed by tho Continental Congress, to draw the sword