Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-06-09
TNTEMpERANCE.

sets Society for the Suppression of Intern
perance, on Thursday last, the following
officers were elected for the present year.
John c. Warren, NJ. ID. President Rev.
Eliphalet Porter, D. D. Rev. William
Jencks, D. D. and Amos Lawrence, ESQ.
Vice Presidents Joshua B. Flint, NJ. D.
Sec'ry; Levi Bartlett, Esq. Treasurer :;
Hon. Nathan Dane, Rev. Henry Ware,
Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, Mr.. Benjamin Seaver,
Mr.. Stephen Fairbanks, Mr.. Abel Adams,
DIR. J. F. Flagg, and DR.. John Ware, Coun-
sellers.
After the publick exercises of the society,
the following communication from Chief
Justice Parker, to the President, was read,
and the writer conserving, it was ordered to
be published in the following manner -:
BosToN, MAY, 25th 1929. Dear Sir
Having just returned from six weeks tour
through the counties of Franklin, Hamp-
shire, Hampden and Berkshire, in each of
which l have held term of the court, it
has occurred to me that certain observations
| had occasion to make, may be usefully
stated to the society over which you pre-
side.
The most important relates to the extra
ordinary reformation which has taken place
I'm regard to the use of spirituous liquors.
am very confident from my own observation,
and from information which have received
from authentick sources, that this reforma-
ton is great in all these counties-and that
there is good reason to hope it will increase
and be permanent. There is an actual d.
mnution of one half in the sale of spirits,
and of course in the use of them. In most
cases beer has taken place of them, and
when that cannot be obtained, cider and
where neither, water Ii many places the
trafick in rum, brandy, gin, &c. formerly
the most profitable branch of a grocer's
business, has ceased to be an object, and
the bar room of taverns which has hereto
fore been the scene of disgusting excess, is
comparatively deserted, or visited only for
the healthful fountain of ale or beer, which
now is the most prominent object there. |
do not mean to speak of the practice of
drinking ardent spirits as abolished, but has
materially decreased.
| should think the change was more thor
ough in Berkshire than any where else, and
it has probably been more aided by the eff
forts of associations and individuals.
Among other instruments the missionary
la6ours of a Mr.. Hewitt are spoken of as
highly efficacious. This gentleman has VS.
tied many towns, and being gifted with a
zeal which knows no relaxation, and an ell
oquence which cannot be resisted, he has
produced powerful effect on communities,
and has turned some of the most incorrigible
drunkards from the evil of their ways. From
what have heard of this gentleman, and
his wonderful success in this good cause, |
should denominate him the apostle of tenn
perance.
1t ought to be mentioned to the honour of
the bar of Berkshire, that they have, be-
lieve unanimously, entered into compact
which they strictly execute, to promote the
cause of temperance by example and other
wise. They have banished all ardent spirits
| from their-houses when at home, and their
lodgings when at court, making literally no
use of them. They have also discarded the
use of wine, which at first | thought might
be carrying the thing too far, because ex-
tremes generally cause reEulslons, but upon
hearing their reasons, am satisfied they
are right. They do not object to wine as
OF itself, used in moderation, hnrtful; but
the use oft in great measure destroys the
power of example, and tends much to defeat
the effect of any remonstrance they may
have occasion to make to those who are de-
stroyng themselves and families by hard
drinking. The poor man, when urged to
refrain, is apt to retort-" Why if we could
afford to drink wine as you do, we certain
ly would not drink rum, but we must have
something as well as you, and rum is the
cheapest thing we can get" 1t is necessa-
ry to show such people that there is no need
of any stimulants.
Twas informed by an intelligent man in
one OF the towns of Berkshire, who keeps
the largest store in the place, that such is
the change in that town and neighbourhood,
that he saw no use in renewing his stock of
liquors, and that even his last years stock
was principally on hand-the selling of IL
quor by retail having almost ceased.
My knowledge except what has come
from personal information, is derived from
conversation with ministers, lawyers, store
keepers and innholders, and the result TO nv
mind is quite satisfactory that radical
change has been wrought through the por-
ton OF the Commonwealth which have Wis
tied. 1 hope it is SO in all parts, but have
had no opportunity Of knowing. It is an
interesting inquiry, how has this great moral
Improvement been produced? Undoubted-
y like other improvements, by deeply felt
necessity of great and combined efforts. A
few years ago, the terrible calamity of GEN
eral lntemperance was much to be appre-
hended in our communicative disease was
spreading itself every where and among all
classes ruined families were seen in every
town and village, and even the country poor
house was not left uninvaded. There was
danger of our becoming nation of drunk
ards, the destroying angel being seen every
where IN power. Societies sprung up to
check this deyastation-the clergy lifted
their voice against this crying sin which
threatened to disgrace and ruin the land.
laymen every where put on their armour to
fight this devouring monster, and by the
blessing of divine Providence, every where
has victory in greater or less degree been
obtained-publick opinion has been reused
and put into action, and has las might be
expected) been more efficacious than fee
hlo 1o,r,