Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-01

which were 40 rods only from the starting
posts. The time of passing each post was
accurately noted, and the strokes of the en-
CINE we're counted. With the load above
described, the engine made one trip across
the course and back. The time occupied in
reaching the first post distance of 18th Of
mile was Al seconds-the I'd post, a fur
Their distance of Ia of mile SO seconds,
each succeeding IA ola mile, 46, 43, 43, 40,
and 43 secondhand the last eighth of a
mile "a seconds. One mile of the above
distance, viz. the four last quarters was per-
formed in two minutes 81 seconds, which is
little more than at the rate of 81 miles an
hour. The strokes of the engine at the out
set were 100 in minute, and afterwards
varied from l40 to 142 in minute.
In returning with the same load the pro-
gress was not quite so rapid, but little
more uniform, viz. the first eighth Of a mile
AZ seconds, each succeeding quarter 81, SO,
60, go, go, So, and Sc seconds, and the last
eighth, As seconds; the regular speed after
getting under way, was something more
than mile in four minutes, or Is miles in
an hour. The strokes of the engine in the
last trip were ITO in minute, and in both
trips, the pressure of the steam was less
than so pounds per square inch"
"We cannot close this account without
earnestly calling the attention of our read
ers, one and all, to the piece on our first
page, from the Berkshire paper, written by
Mr.. Sedgwick. who comes out nobly under
his own name. Mr.. S. has paid much at
tention to the subject, and we particularly
copy and recommend this number, because,
in it, he so fairly meets and overcomes the
popular objections against railroads, or ra-
Their, we should say, the popular delusion.
Every good citizen, is bound in honor and
patriotism, to weigh, consider, and decide
candidly upon this subject, for it touches to
the quick the character and prosperity of
our beloved Commonwealth.
TEMPERANCE. The following Preamble
and Constitution for the promotion of Tenn
perance were adopted at the meeting in this
town on the 18th ult. A considerable num-
Der Of individuals have already placed their
names to the Constitution, which, together
with the Preamble, we have been requested
to publish = ~
SOCIETY IN LANCASTER FOR THE PROMOTION
OF TEMPERANCE.
In presenting the publick the Constitution
of a Society, in Lancaster, for the promotion
of Temperance, it is deemed expedient and
proper to accompany it with few brief re-
marks, more fully developing the causes,
motives, and objects which have led to its
The general prevalence of vice and ini-
guilty, throughout the land, is universally
acknowledged. But amongst the various
prevailing vices of the day, intemperance in
the use of ardent spirits is the most promi-
nent and alarming. tits, in fact, the legiti-
habitual practice spring murders, robberies,
thefts, burglaries, contentious, frauds, mi
quities, blasphemies, injustice 1t pros
trates youth and age, learned and unlearned,
rich and poor it destroys individual, domes-
tick, and social happiness it sinks its vota-
ries into abject poverty, infamy, and wo; it
involves whole families in unspeakable mise
ry and ruin; it hurries to an untimely grave
many who bid fair to be useful and orna-
mental members of society, and it most fear
fully shakes the foundations upon which all
our political, religious, and moral institutions
rest. These are some of the vast multitude
of evils invariably flowing from drunken
ness and these are the causes inducing
the formation of our Society, and the adop-
ton of its Constitution.
Do these evils really exist? and may they
fairly be ascribed to an Incorporate use Of
distilled spirits? A very slight examination
will satisfy every candid inquirer that the
picture here drawn is not an imaginary one
it is fearful reality. Does it not, then, pre-
sent to the pious, patriotick, and good, the
most powerful motives to be up and doing
to an unity of heart and purpose in devising
plans and means to stay this overwhelming
torrent in its destructive course? Surely
every lover of his country, every friend of
religion, humanity, and virtue, will not hest
tate to give an affirmative answer.
The main object Of the Society is the pro-
motion of temperance. Subsidiary to this,
a more assiduous cultivation of every other
moral, social, and christian virtue will not
be overlooked. To the attainment of these,
but more especially the former, the Society
assumes not to itself dictatorial power and
authority, arbitrarily imposing upon any
class of men the line of conduct which they
shall pursue. But it addresses itself to the
good feelings, sober reason, and sound dis
erection of every rejecting, dispassionate in
dividuai. 1t suggests to every candid in
quirer, having regard for himself, his con-
nexions, his posterity, and reverence tor
his God, whether reform in the use of ar
dent spirits be not imperiously demanded. 1t
inquiries of the sober and temperate wheth-
er it be not time for them to pause, to look
about, and see what can be done to check
this monster in his devastating career. It
appeals to the Incorporate and dissolute,
and earnestly entreats them to stop for a
moment, and take survey of the downward