Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-08
COMMUNICATIONS.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.

Mr. EpIroR-For some time past, you have
pratifed some Of your readers by ad, coating the
cause Of Temperance; and il must, think, be
pleasing 10 all the sober part Of the community
to observe how many OF your respectable ira
ferni,y are sndeavoring TO eniighten The public
mind, and to reclify the public sentiment on
this subject But the friends even OF good
cause may differ with regard 10 the best means
of promoting il. That such difference exists
in relation to he cause of Temperance, is not
a matter Of surprise, nor ought it to give offence
10 any of the parties concerned. The friends Of
this cause ought 10 discuss the points of DIFF.
ference in the most annie ble manner, avoiding
every expression calculated 10 lessen the inhu-
ence OF those who are aiming at the same gs-
neral object. Holding the sentiments which
YOU have lately advanced, il must be sdmitted
that you have evinced much candor and fair
ness. in often publishing the opinions Of Others
who differ from you. This induces me TO
think shat you are willing To submit your late
remarks On this subject to the examination Of
those Who like yourself, are in search Of a re-
NEEDY for great aud acknowledged evil.
In The FIRST place, you express the opinion,
that Temperance Societies, as at present or
ganized, can never answer the purpose Ter
which they were designed" It, sir, you could
nnrS;f~ssBslsaSe this, and then propose some new
your substitute, and eAhs purpose, doab.
10 the author OF it, which would BE responded
by every Auxiliary Society, and by every sober
patriot in the Union. But 80 yet no substitute
has been proposed. You only say "rha, in,
temperance mus, become objectionable, and
that the stamp of infamy must be fixed upon
the practice OF tipping well as that OF CON.
hrmed drunkenness" while you objec, to hav,
ing " the laws Of hospitality" violated By the
absolute prohibition Of ardent spirits among
those who pass for sober men. But, sir, YOU
have not told US how intemperance can become
Questionable, while The laws Of hospitality re-
quire the use OF ardent spirits; nor whe,h her
there Is IN past experience or 10 the nature Of
things any reason 20 expect that the practice of
tippling will cease, while i, is thus supported
and patronzed by the laws of hospitsiity and
the example OF those who call themselves ,em-
prraie men. My opinion, which am willing
10 submit TO the test Of examination and Of ex-
perience, is, that the evils IN question can ne
yer be remsdied while i, remr ms a popular sem
ument that ardent spirits can be temporarily
usrd, and that the laws Of hospitality require
such use of them. This sentiment, will one.
rate IN time TO come, il has done in time
past; e. /, will pcrpetuate the habits of tip
ping and drunkenness; for these laws set no
definite limits TO the degree Of the Indulgence
Gu the contrary, they forbid any such Limits to
be fixed, aud allow as many rotations of the so-
cial glass as may be Agreeable to any Of The
company Thus habits are formed, which, in
grea, M jorty Of cases, lead to ,he very evils
from which society now grosus to be delivered.
" The stamp Of infamy" then is fixed too late in
the process, to have any salu,ary operaiion.-
1t has long been fixed, MIR. Editor, Just where
you propose TO place tiff undsrs and the
nearing Of the word tipping. II designates,
presume, those who drink daily too much, and
who avail themselves Of many occasions to get
drunk. The time, l believe, has never been,
when the sober part Of the community would |
not, una pece, pronounce such ha6ifuaI ,nisn,. |
pcranes to be disgraceful II uniformly lessons
a mans credit an business, and his influence |
in sociesy-the disgrace rams parallel with |
the increase Of the habit; and yet how many !
have been its victims from all classes Of soci. |
ETY.! Even those who originally possessed the
finest sense OF hssor, and the most delicate re-
gard 10 their personal reputation, do not Con-
stitute an exception. The fact is easily &C.
counted for. The habit of using arden, spirit.
Z" temporarily" and according 10 "the laws of
impsrsept,biy increases; and in its
adyaoce, destroys tina; sensbility TO shame,
that delicate regard for personal character and
which recoiis from " the stamp of
infamy." II, however, the article could be used
without producing this effect. oths, effects are
experienced, which would urge the
unhappy victim on to the las, stage Of the
dreadful process, in opposition to The keenest
and most tsr,sring sensa,ions of shame, and
with the stamp Of infamy" in full view. II,
refer to that dreadful, iniolsrabs feeling which
The i6temPeraie man experiences after his OK.
;esses. This feeling creates drmand for
nr uluS dem, I =,
De silenced by the voice OF shame-a feeling .
Thich causes the wre,ched victim to overlook =
the stamp Of infsmy," and 10 think tina, anu =.
are less to be dreaded than TIE :
ceiling itseE
Regarding the habit Of intemperance, theu,
IS one Of some extension. and considering habi- r
pal nppling or drunkenness as having The n
sne relation to that kind Of drinking which i,