Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1829-08-06
FOR THE LITCHFIELD ENQUIRER.
LITCHFIELD COUNTY TEMPER
ANCE SOCIETY.

ANCE SOCIETY.
This association held its first monthly meeting in
Sharon, July &c. The day was pleasant, and many
strangers were convened from different parts of the
county, and from the state Of New-York. The Hon.
JOHN CoTToN SMITH, President of the Society, pre-
sided. The meeting was opened with prayer. Dele
gates we're present from the Temperance Societies in
Litchfed, South Farms, Goshen, Warren, the church
in South Canaan, Salisbury, Harwinon, Torringford,
Plymouth, Woodbury., New Preston, Ellsworth, Corn
wall, Sharon, and Norfolk The whole number of
delegates was twenty-one. Two Of the Vice Presi-
dents Of the Society also present, Doct. Norman
Lyman of Warren, and Joseph Bauell, ESQ. Of Nor
folk. The whole number Of individuals who have
signed pledge Of entire abstinence reported, was
nine hundred and sirty-ome Several societies were
not represented; that there are in this county al
ready more than one thousand who have ranged them
selves under the standard of entire abstinence. =
The public exercises in the afternoon commenced
at O'Clock. There was full assembly, After sing
ing and prayer, Gov. Smith, the Hon. President of
the Society, rose and observed:
That not having been present at the organization
of the Society," he avaied himself of the present occa-
sion to express ibis thanks for the respect shown him
in electing him for their President; that as their
meetings were proposed TO be held monthly in differ
ent parts of the county he might have been justified
from the critical state of his health in declining the
trust-and that such at first his determination;
but, upon further reflection, said he, own TO you
dare not decline with my views Of the enterprise in
which you are engaged, repeat it, dare decline
this or any other service which may be assigned to
me- He then alluded to the high importance of the
institution. in its bearing upon the temporal and eer-
nal interests Of men-gave rapid sketch OF the evils
Of Intemperance, of the supincness and apathy SO
long manifested by the christian and the patriot at
its desolating progresspaid just tribute Of praise to
those faithful servants of the Most High who had at
length sounded the alarm.-had portrayed the evil in
all its horrid dimensions, and had prescribed the rem
edy-and concluded his remarks as follows:
"Entire abstinence, then, is the specific remedy
Let it be universally and faithfully applied, and o, how
soon would there be end OF the whole race of
drunkards great and small, without successors for-a
ever Who would not rejoice at such copsumma-
ton Who would not exult, if our country, aver-
ed Of Heaven much appIauded by the world for all
that is manly in sentiment and heroic enterprise
should add the jewel of temperance 10 that Of
glory which encircles her head-should exhibit t.,
mankind the sublime spectacle of a nation not only
" victorious over its enemies" hut whit is more
"victorions over tself?'-Nor is it too much hope
that this blessed era is at hand The which
has thus far attended the exertons OF the parent So
ciety evnced by the wonderful diminution in the
sale and consumption of distilled spirits within short
period is proof that the object is attanabe,
and pledge that il TiH be accomplished. The spirit
OF the nation is evidently rising. The youth of the
nation are beginning to awake to this momentOus SUBJ
ject and, assured, their warm hearts and vigor
Gus hands will finish the good work for their own
generation, ii not for ours But my brethren, i'm
mense responsibility rests upon the men Of this
LET IA M from
painful truth that have all contributed IN greater
or less degree, TO the wide spread Of ntemperance.
All, we know not how many OF its wretched victims
might Justly ascrbe the commencement OF their career
ofinfamy and its fatal end our illudged hospitality
our unhaowed love Of gain, perhaps to our exam
Pile of what is termed moderate drinking. This is
most solemn reflection Our only consolation is that
did it ignorantly-that thoughtless of the
consequences. But the plea of ignorance can no
longer availus Information founded on indsputable
facts, and enforced with resisess eoquence, is be-
fore the public and in the possession Of every man,
and must therefore leave every without the anol
ogy Of mistake, either as to the nature and extent OF
the maady, or the method and certainty Of its cure
Let every individual then ask himself, Can I, aoith
all this Evidence before me, pat the cup of distilled poi
to my lips, present to the lips Of any human
being and be innocent? The question may be safely
left TO the decision Of enlightened conscience, and
obedience to that decision cannot fail to produce the
desired result Yes, my brethren, total abstinence is
the only restorative. This is the consecraed censor
which is to "stay the plague" Whilst we bless
God that it is placed within reach, let US seize IT,
and like Aaron in the camp of Israel, hasten take
stand between the dead and the living" in hum
BILE confidence that the plague will be stayed"
The reports of the dele gates were short and inter-
cstng. l will notice some Of them imperfectly.
T'orrngtord. The Temperance Society consists Of
one hundred and twenty-five members One mer-
chart has discontinued sale. Quantity Of spirits used
has diminished three fourths the last year.
Woodbury.. Society just formed. Quite number
of farmers are doing their business this summer with
out the use Of their accustomed stimulus.
ELLSWORTH. Society in its infancy.
COrpsOal. Several facts show that the prospects
of the cause in that town are fattering.
Sharon. Number of members belonging to the
Temperance Association one hundred-sixty are
males and forty females. Three merchants have
given up sale this year. Almost every family in the
Society has been furnished with Kitridge's address,
es' Bemans sermon, and Humphreys parallel. The
President of the iowa is Influential Of the
Methodist connection, of the Vice Presidents is
an EpscOpaiaD 80 that members of different de-
nominations are larmODiOusly engaged, as they
should be in this patriotic and holy cause; and il is
hoped that lovers Of strong drink or evil minded
person will attempt TO make sectaran question of it,
as Gas been vaInly attempted in some places.l
Norfolk. Society is Of two years standing. As
regards raisings, all of them have been carried on
this summer without the of ardent spirits. An
;Ddv;dual came TO die resolution about having time