Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE WING.
TEMpER ANrE

Mcssrs. Editors-A correspondent of the Wing
whose signature is p. p, has favored us with a
long article on Cholera, in which he endeavors To
give the coup de grace, passent, to the Temper
ance Society. One Of your readcrcs would like To
bo informed what good object is to be promoted b,
that singular production. 1t would be uncha-ita
Die to doubt that the writer's intention was to dc
good, either to himself or to his country; but what
the good is, unless il be that which Milton makes
Satan call his good, ("Evil, be thou my good, ~
my poor faculties do not enable me to discover
Not long ago we were favored with the obituary
OF a gentleman, known by all in his neighborhood
to be alive and well. May not this p. p article
have emanacd from the same '.fguratire penn" 1t
seems to hail from the same point of the compa ss
have long sI''c learned tho truth, that the
most bigoted and intoerant people, are your free
thinkers and loose takers. But why this p p
should deem it his duty interest TO SANDER the
members OF the Temperance Society in tho lump,
l never expect to learn. That must ever remain
n mystery to all, but the Priest of Bacchus-this
CREAMS confcssOr. The datum upon which he
would rest his reasoning for the encouragement of
tpplers is incorrect. Hc assumes as true, that
from the necessity of the case, our slaves arc more
temperate than the white population; then takes
the established fact that cholera has been more IA
tai to blacks Slaves and free i'm our tow ns on nayi
gable waters and other highways, and hence draws
the conclusion, that too much agency is ascribed
TO in'emperancc, in the destructive work of chol,
ra We all know that tho fact assumed SO far a.
1t relates to tho slaves in towns and on HIGHWAYS
where cholera has prevailed most, and proved most
fatal, is not true. Besides, what account en- nc
give OF the free negroes, among whom it has been
equally fatal IN proportion to their numbers? But
let IT 100 granted that some enthusiasts charge too
much mischief TO intempcrancc. Is intemperance
such a harmless, amable affair, that ITS defenders
may disregard truth, and set at nougbt the concur
rent testimony of both hemispheres in their efforts
70 bring odium upon those wh0'viow IL as a HYDRA
nbomination, dcbasing it's victims to brutes, and
addicting its ahcttUrs to Misrepresentation. the
neancst among petty vicesl judging from The con
hdcnt airs and bold assertions of Mr.. Z. P we must
Inlcr that he is some pet oracle, in his neiphbor
hood, who has recently had his pride wounded or
his conscience chafed by some renegade vapa
bona priest" 1t your correspondent will demon.
strate "as how" the Temperance Society does moro
harm than good, one at least will withdraw from
it Further, if he will point out one member Of
tho Temperance Society who does not give his ser.
wants morsel of meat, at Christmas he VIII
somewhat atone for his wiiul misrepresentation of
the Society. Let him lay aside general dcnuncia
tons and hot btoOded ephets, the weapons of imbe
tie will find more than ready to defend tho
''pure eOId ,Dater gentry" with the words of truth
and soberness.
1t has not been moro than two weeks since the
writer of this was told by Physician of your town
that the temperate habits Of Mr.. Barclays man.
Bob, who was attacked by cholera. saved him
That Physician is member Of Temperance So.
ciety, that know Of His professional opinion is
entitled to confidence. Any other opinion Of his
would claim respect, inasmuch he is a sensible
man and gentleman.
Yours, HOWARD.