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AUGUSTA. JUNE J, 184 5.
ED t TORI A L CO M MITTEE.
Rev. \V. T. Brantcy, | Dr. D. Hook,
“ W. J. Hard, I James Harper, Esq.
*' C. S. Doc, IA. VV. Now., Esq.
To Pht»»! Scb»csibeb».—Post Musters ore au
thorized by law to remit money to the publishers of
newspapers and periodicals in payment ol subscrip
tion?. Subscriber* to the Washingtonian can therefot e
par for their paper* without subjecting themselv es or
the publisher to the expense of postage, by handing the
amount to the Post Master, with a request to remit it.
The Weather.
We arc still oppressed with drought.
Some of our friends from the country
tell us that their neighborhoods have been
favored with abundant rain, but in this
vicinity our farmers are in much dejec
tion from the unpromising prospect.—
Our river is as low as wo have seen it in
a long time.
Lash.
Where is brother Lash? Does he
know that his articles are extensively
copied and'admired by our contempora
ries? Does he know that their justice is
applauded by the good, and hated by the
liquor-dealers? Draw your whip again,
brother. These dealers in what Robt.
Hall significantly calls distilled damna
tion, have not yet desisted from their un
hallowed traffic. This traffic is still ma
king drunkards—heggaring families—
breaking fond hearts—filling jails and I
poor-houses—increasing crime, and sand
ing men to perdition. Out with your
whip and let it be felt.
W omaii.
Tho following compliment to woman
is from the pen of Judge Story. It is
no less just than beautiful. We could
wish that those who wield an influence
so potent, more universally brought it to
bear upon the great Temperance Refor
mation. There are comparatively few
among the gentle sex who need to be
come subscribers to the Total Abstinence
pledge, for the security of their own so
briety. Their circumstances exempt
them from much of that temptation to
which men are exposed and they are con
sequently in less danger of ruin. The argu
ment which we would employ with them,
is the good which they may do to others.
The cause will never accomplish its
most brilliant results until drinking be
comes generally unfashionable. We
must look to the ladies who give a tone
to most of our social customs and fash
ions, to lead the way. Let them take a
stand and discard from their society, ev.
ery young man whose breath indicates
that he visits the “confectionary;” let
mothers instil into their sons, by their
own precept and example, the necessity
of abstinence ; let every wife banish the
accursed thing from her table, and in a
very short time more will be done than
has yet been effected by our united or
ganizations for this purpose.
“To the honor, the eternal honor of
the sex, be it said, that in the path of du
ty, no sacrifice is with them too high or
too dear. Nothing is with them imposs
ible, but to shrink from what love, honor,
innocence, and religion require. The
voice of pleasure or of power may
pass by unheeded, but the voice of afflic
tion never. The chamber of the sick,
the pillow of the dying, the vigils of the
dead, the altars of religion, never missed
the presence or the sympathies of wo
man. Timid though she be, and so del
icate that the winds of heaven may not
too roughly visit her, on such occasions
she looses all sense of danger, and as
sumes a preternatural courage which
knows not and fears not the consequen
ces. Then she displays the undaunted
spirit which neither courts difficulties nor
evades them ; that resignation w hich ut
ters neither murmurs nor regrets, and
that patience in suffering which seems
victorious over death itself.
Summer Retreat.
To such of our citizens as are looking
out for an agreeable place, in which to
pass a part of the summer, we would
suggest Gainsville and vicinity, as com
bining all the requisites which they can
desire. It is sufficiently contiguous to
the mountains to secure all the breczeß
by which these high regions are cooled;
and yet it is sufficiently remote to be ex
empt from that humidity, which is usual
ly found in purely mountainous retreats.
It has never been our good fortune to be
acquainted with a location better fur
nished with that necessary ingredient of |
health and comfort— good water. Na- i
ture has here displayed a peculiar par
tiality in this respect. About two miles
from the village is Rivers’ spring—a most
magnificent fountain. Covering an area
of some thirty feet—with water so per
fectly transparent as to exhibit the mi. i
nutest particles at the bottom—with its
surface ever rippled by the gas which is
constantly escaping—it is a beautiful
spectacle. We have seen the Yellow
springs of Pennsylvania, the Brandywine
springs of Delaware, the far-famed
springs of Virginia, but we have seen
none comparable in beauty or extent, to
this. Os all waters too, we are told that
this ii the best adapted to cure dispepsia.
A physician of the place recently remark
ed to us: “If dyspeptics will come here
and quit their tobacco and liquor, and
drink this water, they are obliged to get
well.”
About four miles from the springs
just mentioned are three other springs,
discovered within two or three years.—
One of these is a white sulphur, simi
lar to the white sulphur of Virginia,
with the exception that the impregnation
is not so considerable. The deficiency
of strength, however, can easily he sup
plied by quantity. A little longer use
of the water will secure tho same medi
cal virtue that is derived from the Vir
ginia spring in a shorter period. Near
to this white sulphur—at the distance of
half a mile, is a Chalybeate spring, de
cidedly more powerful than that held in
Reserved repute in Madison county.—
Near to this again—as if nature were
determined to provide for every taste, is
a pure water spring. Mr. McAff'ee the
proprietor of the springs, has established,
we fire told, very comfortable accornmo
dations for some forty or fifty persons,
in the immediate vicinity. Last year
his house being too strait, he intends en
larging.
W’o ought to mention that in the vil
lage is one of the best hotels in the state,
under the superintendence of Col. Grif
fin. a highly intelligent, agreeable, and
gentlemanly host. Having recently en
joyed his hospitalities, we know whereof
we affirm.
Beauties of the Turf.
From all accounts, the recent race
over the Camden course between Fash
ion and Peytcffia, must have afforded
high gratification to the large number of
humane gentlemen who visited it. “ Pey
tona,” says a spectator, “ was lashed and
spurred, and spurred and whipped until
the blood flowed freely; but it was all
in vain.” The poor brute as she came
in covered with sweat and blood, and
panting for breath, must have presented
a spectacle deeply interesting and enter
taining to the crowd of admirers. We
would suggest to the refined taste of these
race-loving gentry, a revival of those
beautiful bull-fights of which we read in
days of yore. Who will take stock in
an amphi-theatre for the accommodation
of spectators?
Odd fellows.
We perceive that in some Northern
cities some Christian churches are refu
sing to receive Odd Fellows. This
seems to us like meddling with a matter
of which they know nothing, and with
which they have no business. It is pre
scribing conditions of church member
ship which the Saviour has never re
quired. If Odd Fellowship is suppressed
it must be done by persuasion and not by
coercion. We have our own opinion of
the expediency of a Christian’s connect
ing himself with such organizations;
but that opinion can never lead us to ex
communicate him for such an act.
“ I’m but a Drop.”
The earth was parched and dry, the
grass and leaf were seared—desolation
had spread her blighting wings—a
drought prevailed. Then, when anxiety
ruled supreme, the heavens were implo
ringly looked to for a reviving shower.—
A drop replied, “I am but a drop, what
can I do towards refreshing the earth?”
And every other drop, with equal reason,
made the same response.
How well this similie suits the cause of
temperance! The drunkard’s wife is
destitute and miserable; her orphan chil
dren are growing up in ignorance and
vice ; —whilst he is a curse to society, to
| his family, and to himself. A rescue is
| anxiously looked for, the temperance
I cause is imploringly besought. A man
replied, “ I have no influence, what good
can I accomplish by subscrbingmy name
to the pledge ?” anil every other man, with
equal reason, gave the same excuse, till,
unmolested, the hydra-headed mon.-terl
stalked abroad seeking whom he might |
devour. —New York Organ.
What has Teetotalism done!
It has been asked sneeringly, “ What
has teetotalism done?” Let the returns!
in the House of Commons, recently,
moved for by Mr. Hume, show the num-1
Iter of persons taken into custody fori
drunkenness by the London police, in:
each of the last thirteen years, (from
1831 to 1843.) answer: “In 1831.31,-,
353 persons were taken into custody for!
drunkenness, out of a population of 1,. j
515,585. In 1843,10,890 were taken
info custody out of an increased popula-!
tion of 2,069,107. The proportions, J
therefore, at the two periods, were 2 per
cent, upon the population of 1831, and
1 per cent on 1843! or an actual reduc
tion of more than 20,000 committals in
one year and in one city alone.”
From the Lowell Offering.
The Pledge.
At the close of a bright summer day
might have been seen, through a thick
copse of trees, a neat white cottage, re
semhling a white spot in the forest; so
completely was it embosomed in trees and
shrubbery. A woodbine encircling its
green door and creeper-curtained wind
ows, with n bright foliage wavering
gracefully in the air, together with the
beautiful flower garden in front, and its
neatly laid plats in the regular walks of
which, engaged in innocent gaily, were
two rosy children.
This formed one of the most pictu
resque and beautiful scenes the eye could !
desire to look upon. At the little parlor
window, overlooking this lovely spot, sat
a young female who, from her youthful
appearance, could not have numbered
more than eighteen years, holding in her
arms a beautiful infant boy, whose bright
black eyes sparkled like two beautiful
stars, ns, with the tenderness of a mother, i
she fondly caressed him.
A few paces from the window, in a cor
ner of the room, sat a gentleman several
years her senior, apparently in deep
thought. “Brother!” said a sweet mu
sical voice, “come here!” The gentle- i
man rose and approached the window.
“Who is that?” said the same sweet
voice, looking out of the window, and
pointing,—“who is that, with those tat
tered clothes and that reeling gait?”
“ Miles Singleton!” replied the gentle
man.
“And one ofvour companions at the
ale house,” said the lady, placing her small
white hnnd on his arm, and gazing, with
her full blue eyes, into his face, with a
look so full of anxiety and affection that
it sent the blood mantling to his very
temples. “Oh! brother; is it possible
you can associate with such filthy and de
graded beings? Is it possible I have left
my home in the city, and come to this
sweet cottage to render your home so I
uncomfortable that you must seek com
panionship with those who are so unxvor
thy of your regard, who have fallen so
entirely beneath the dignity of a man!”
“You have not made my home uncom
fortable, my sister. Indeed, you have
been very kind to make this your home,
and you have manifested all the kindness
of a mother to my little cherub,” said he
with much feeling, stooping and imprint
ing a kiss on the fair brow of the infant,
(or which may God bless you.
“I do not wish to wound your feelings,
brother; but let me entreat you by the
affection of a sister, by the near and en
dearing relation of a father in which you
stand to these motherless children, hv the
j sacred memory of your departed wife, j
whom you promised to love and cherish,
by all that is great and good, let me en
treat you to abandon those companions,
and promise me, oh promise me, that you
will never again visit that den of degrada
tion, that you will never again taste of
that poisonous cup, in whose dregs dwell
eth misery and death.”
He seemed moved by the manner and
deep-toned affection with which this pe
tition was uttered, for he was not yet
hardened, and the voice of affection had
ever found an answering chord in his
bosom.
“ Will you,” resumed the sister, ‘will
you promise me dear brother?’
“By the help of God,” said he with
emotion, “I w\l\ promise; I will take the
pledge
The lady then took from her finger a
plain gold ring, and placing it on the fin
ger of her brother, “ This,” said she,
“was the gift of thy departed wife, and
the motto is a sister's love. Let this cir
cumstance, together with the motto, serve
to remind you of the promise you have
solemnly made in the presence of Al
mighty God, ar.d may He grant you
strength sacredly to keep it.” To which
he added, in an impressive tone, Amen.
Then, falling on her knees, in a low voice
she fervently commended to the care of
our Father in Heaven that beloved
brother, imploiing Him to suffer him not
to be led into temptation, to be with him
! in the hour of trial and guard and protect
! him in the hollow of His hand. Nor
1 did she forget his companion in sin, hut
prayed that he might be the instrument
in the hand of God of turning him from
the wickedness and sin, in which he had
j found misery and wo. into the paths of
| righteousness and consequent peace
j She arose calm and serene, for she was a
Christian, and believed that the prayers
! of the righteous are answered.
Scarcely were they again reseated
when both the children came rushing in,
exclaiming, in one breath. “Oh! Pa!
Charley Singleton says his pa has been
whipping his ma, and she is on the bed
crying, and they are very hungry—they
have not had hardly any thing to eat these
two days.” This was too much for the
already softened feelings of the father.
He hurst into tears and, taking the in
fant from his sister’s arms, “Go, sister,”
ssyd he, “and prepare something for this
afflicted family, for you are capable of i
comforting both soul and body. Thank
God we have vet something to spare for j
our unhappy neighbor.” With her ac- j
customer! cheerfulness and benevolence
she prepared a basket of nice bread and i
cold meat, and proceeded to the cottage
of the inebriate. Like the good Samari
tan she accomplished her errand, return
ed again to her home leaving the rein- m
bra nee o( a kindness and sympathy man
ifested more by actions than words.—
I'hey succeeded in reclaiming the inebri
ate. In the little garden, where weeds
were suffered to grow, is now manifested '
the care of the husbandman ; every thing
about the cottage has a more prosperous |
and cheerful appearance.
The father is again welcomed by the j
gay laugh of the children, and cheerful
smile of the wife. And now may be seen
at each returning twilight, on a green plot 1
between the cottages, beneath the shade
of a stately elm, the two families mingling
their united orisons, while their children
join in singing the praises of the Father
in Heaven, lor they are trained up in the
nurture and admonition of the Loud.
A 'cw Era.
So far ns this state is concerned, the j
passage of the new Excise Law may j
properly be regarded as the second grand
epoch in the history of the temperance
cause. The first was thot mighty moral !
movement which commenced among us ;
in 1841, and which with the name of the
immortal Washington as its watch-word,
bade lair at one time to sweep from our
state and country every vestage of drunk
enness. That it has not done so is ow
ing to the fact, not perceptible at first,
but sufficiently apparent now, that the
rmnsellers made drunkards about as fast
as the Washingtonians could reclaim
them ; and this difficulty we fully believe,
is now to he overcome by the operation
of the new law. Should it do so, or
should it accomplish even half that its
friends confidently anticipate, the period
from which it dates may well be set
down as the commencement of a new
and glorious era in the progress of this
noble cause.
Our rejoicings on this occasion, it is
true, are not unmingled with feelings of
sorrow and shame. We are grieved that
our own citizens should be deprived,
without justice or reason, of important
benefits which are freely accorded to all
others in the state; we are heartily a
shamed that they should be set down (by
implication at least,) as the only ones in
the state who are too ignorant to be
trusted with the question. We must
not, however, bs too much cast down
with these reflections. Justice may yet
be done us. The inhabitants of the
Empire City are as well qualified, both
by nature and education, to vote under
standingly upon this subject, as those of
any other section—and it shall not be
the fault of the ti mperance men, if they
do not yet have the opportunity of voting
upon it. The Washingtonians, it may
not be amiss to mention, hold the bal
ance of power, not only in this city but
throughout the state; they may yet con
sider it their duty, for once, to exercise
1 hat power, with direct reference, if we
may so express it, to the teetotal complex
ion of our next Legislature.
As for our friends in the country, we
again congratulate them upon the pas
sage of the new law, and we trust that
while we continue as active as ever in
reforming the poor victims of the intoxi
cating cup, they will take especial pains
this year, to hold up before the commu
nity the horrors and abominations of the
nm-lraffic. Let them see to it that they
are well informed on this subject, anil
when the time comes, take good care
that they are all brought out to vote •
and in nine cases out of ten, we believe
victory will be their reward.— N. Y.
Organ.
| _
The Excise Law.
The New York Tribune savs: “The
; Committee appointed by the New York
| State Temperance Society at its last an
nual meeting, to confer with the respec
tive Committees of the Senate and As
sembly, having the Excise Bill in charge,
and who felt bound, a few days since to
advise the temperance public of its prob
able defeat, have now the grateful duty
of announcing its triumphant success.
The bill passed the Senate last eventin'
by a vote of 18 to 11, and the Assembly
without a division.
In the more popular branch of the
Legislature, the bill commanded the ser
vices of some of the most devoted and
powerful champions of temperance, but
met with little or no opposition. In the
Senate it was strenuously opposed ; and
though this committee cannot refrain
from proffering in the name of the soci
ety their grateful acknowledgements to
those Senators whose zeal and eloquence
so nobly sustained it, they are not the
less inclined to do justice to the motives
which prompted other senators to with
draw from it their support, although pro
fessing, and this committee cannot doubt
sincerely, to be equally the friends of the
cause. To both these classes of Sena
tors the friends of the new excise law
owe a sacred duty—the duty, in every
effort to carry it into complete effect, of
-o tempering zeal with discretion and
kindness as to vindicate the wisdom, of
one class, while they agreeably disap
point the gloomy apprehensions of the
other.
The Legislature have granted to us
all vve asked of them, and there remains
no apology for descending from the high
ground of patriotism, philanthropy and
morality on which men of all sects and
parties can meet, into the arena of po
iitical strife. We are provided with the
peaceful and simple means of a separate
Temperance Ballot box, for disenthrall,
mg ourselves from the shackles of for
mer unwise legislation, and arc left to
ihe free use of our appropriate weapons,
light and love; example antfepersuasion.
There are two subjects of regret only,
connected with the passage of the Li
cense Law; one, that it has been delay
ed so long as to deprive the community
of its benefits for the current year; the
other, that the city of New York is not
included in its provisions. In respect to
the latter we submit with deference to
the opinion of the majority in the Sen
ate that that city is not vet fully pre
pared for the measure ; and as to the for
mer it will afford to the friends of the
cause more ample time to organize and
do their perfect work at the temperance
ballet box, and enable those engaged
in the traffic in intoxicating drink, to
withdraw from a business so injurious to
ihe community at large, with the least
pecuniary injury to themselves.
Such suggestions as may be thought
proper for the future action of the friends
of temperance in the State, will more
properly come from the Executive Com
mittee of the State Society, from whom
a communication niav soon he expected.
E. C. DELEVAN, Ch’n.
Albany, 14th May, 1845.
From our English Files.
Fighting with a Shadow.
Cervantes says (hat Don Quixote at
tacked a windmill, and a more modern
story is told of a tipsy fellow who pulled
off his coat to fight with a post.
The opponents of teetotalism would,
probably feel displeased if we were to
compare them to either of the combat
ants to whom we have already referred,
and would he at a loss to trace any fea
ture of resemblance in themselves to ei
ther the tippling antagonist of the post,
or the “ knight of the sorrowful counten
ance.”
We think, however, that the conscien
tious opponents of the total abstinence
movement are not so much averse to the
abstinent principle itself as to some im
agined likeness of the system, and are,
in effect, “ fighting with a shadow.”
Teetotalism destroys all desire for in
dulgence in the use of strong drink. But
when any one looks upon the practice
as involving a constant struggle with a
painful craving for intoxicating liquor,
ever crying, “Give, give” —making the
sight of every glass a snare and tbs
presence of every bottle a temptation,
he is egregiously mistaken, and is “ fight
ing a shadow.”
Teetotalism (firmly and kindly ex
pounded) uill secure the esteem of all
whose good opinion is worth having or re
taining. But when an individual,
whose “love of approbation”is fully de
velopjSfevfews the plan as one which will
cause hs adherents to be despised by men
of sense, and held by a--