Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-06-15
TEMPERANCE.

AT a meeting of the Pendleton Temper
ance Society, held on Streight Creek on the
3lst day of March 1882: Present BENJAMIN
M'Coy, President, J ohn Heaslett, Vice Pres
ident, and quorum of members. The Pres
ident took the Chair at II o'clock MIR. p.
Ill. Sitlington, the Secretary, being absent
on motion of Thomas Jones, Henry WEIGH
was appointed Secretary pro tenn An adj
dress on the subject of Temperance was
read, after which, Thomas Jones from the
Committee, appointed at the last meeting re-
ported the following Preamble and Consti-
tuition for this Society, as substitute for the
Constitution heretofore adopted which was
unanimously agreed TO.
When in the course OF human events
nation, or people, is threatened with real or
an approaching evil, it becomes the duty of
the philanthropist, the patriot and the chris
tan, to exert all their influence and indus
Try 10 lessen lis affects, and avert the G.
WIS OF such existing or impending calamity.
In Tunes OF general calamity, the public at
tcntlon IS usually turned TO The Government
or The Magistrate for relief but there are
many cases which are far above The reach Of
human legislation-suCh as pesience, fam
me, or certain degree of moral deprayitv
such we regard as the present situation of our
country. When we look around us, we see
the decline ofpublic morals which in loo ma
ny instances is manifested in direct con-
tempt Of God, his name, his sabbath, and his
sacred word. We need not mention that in
'niS land OF light and liberty, and of blessings
sampled, there are such sins, as ingrati-
Suue' prlae, prodigality, and blasphemy,-
s ~ men as openly spurn the restraints Of
the GosPel,& revile its Divine author. Shall
We mention the latitude ofIicentious presses
ana lawless tongues, which snort with the
peace Of the living md memory of the dead,
or that vile thirst for gain which in foo
many hearts has extingushed every vvortbv
sentiment-which has multiplied idols If
gold, silver land paLcr-has redaced frauJ
TO system, and made iniguIty trade,-
Such things are deeply lamented by every
man that fears God or loves bis country.
ana such things are or should be, boldly con,
neInned by every patriot and christian who
is worthy the name of freeman. But, our
present design lies within narrower limits
our attention IS withdrawn from every other
supJec1, ana liked upon the single sin Of in
temperate dTtn6tng. Like every other prac-
ice winch mas many friends. this is often
cNCussl uhoer iaIr and smooth names, but
us proper name IS legion, it deserves not a.
golosy put repro0ation; it may be safely az
,''H'"j 'N' =" 'hiS country NJ IN no other, ii
mas proved greater foe to human life and
happiness IMAM war, Pestilence and famine
How many that were born with reason has
1t transformed into idiots? How nanv rnor,
OF property and usefulness has il turned into
contemplate drones How many fanoilie,
has 1t driven from their dwellings, to power.
W and Vretcbedness, from afIiuence to indi-
genee and woe! Still like an inundation !,
Uses, 1t swells around us-it breaks through
ali restraints of authority and decency-9it
sweeps away our young men into infamy
ano me grave 1t deies our laws, il threat
ens wide and dire destruction 10 our morals
s si 70 our precious and venerable inslitu-
For the purpose Of lending our aid to the
dlscoIragement,and finally if possible, 10 put
an end 70 the many mischieS Of this vice.
we have agreed to form ourselves into a so,