Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1833-03-04

support ot some ot the most calm mi eonsid,rat
men IN the community, uninfcctel by any entht
siasnl, except that which is inseparahlo from th
pursuit ot noble and viftuous objects. lie VIII
"l!resd Tue opinions Of Ben. Franklin on TIN
s''y'e'i supported as they are 10y his own persona
experience, will scarcely believe the doctrines q
me iempefance Society the mere effects Of heated
religious zeal. Clear common sense. unelouIcd b,
prejudice, and undIstutbed by passion, was III
Characteristic trait Of that eminent individual. IL
'eislon5 opinions were unfortunately, It's suppos
Ell, ian from orthodox. lie thought the use of sti
hoiFhts not only unnecessary but injurious TO tn
uehltn OF the human frame. In this theory, lie Il
now supported by the almost unnnimous opinion
oil physicians. Il Is not II comfort, a blessing o
providence, an innocent pleasure. OF which il Il al
most lmpteus TO deprive mankind. II is mos
usually Il peryorsion of natures bolnties to the in.
jury OF IL creatures. Il IS never absolutely neees.
saty, except as a remedy FOR disease, III which cas-,
The rules OF the stttrtesf Temperance Society ,o
not iorbidl II. fnthe objection, that abstinence ftom
all stnlulants IS an useless AMI Improper election
Of QUO OF those good things, Which God has civ.
en- US, | have lately stem the following pertinent
and i>gctble answer. Tor whit purposa did God
create the most useful Of metals, non Was il II
iufhiSh the assassin Win his dagger and the dull
list with his pistols Z Wly did he mako arsenIe
aud opium Was it To furnish the murderer with
the means oil secretly destroying AS within , or the
incorporate man With his intoxicating drug p
The fondness ioI stlmnlnnts IS universally al
mlitcd 10 be an acquired and not n natural taste.
Their use may be dispensed with on ordinary oez
easlons, not only with salty, but even benefit 10
he health. Ought We not then, 10 refrain from
even a moderate indulgence IN them. when we re.
collect that no man IS perfectly secure of nevcr be-
coming Incorporate : Tins is not a combination
OF mad fanatics, To prescribe an innocent eratlhca.
ton. 1t IS mol II mere rhalIsalc plan OF ostcnla
tlous charity, designed 10 attract applause. It has
more rational, useful, aud noble ends ,ads in Tho
pronoti m Of which all sects and puties, the lnGdel
AMI the Christian, every man, who believes thai
vt'tuc condoces 20 happiness, aud wishes well to
his species, may cordially unite. Let Us inquire,
whether II has selected Il suitable instrument iul Ia
purposes. The superiority of example 10 procept,
Us an agent IN ettectlng moral reformation, has be
come proverbial. The Influence OF the elder aud
respectable portion of society, over the tisins gene.
rnton, IS almost omhlpotcnt. Our nam object l.
prevention and not cure. Much as il Is 10 be desir.
ed, It IS scarcely to be expected, that many Of hose.
whom the habtt OF lntemperance has once bound III
lis iron fetteis, shoald shake them of. We wish
those, To whom the use of slimulnuts Is indifferent,
10 introduce a fashion of abstinence. A change as
sudden rs delightful, has already taken place, FROM
F8'' ''''' 'Ff'p1H II t'1P t3AtIG III y =
of the most careless observer. Bur what has been
already effected, dwindles INTO comparative insie-
nlficance, when we look forward To what man be
elected by energetic, perseyering, aud eombir Il nc
tion. But the question nay be asked, why the ex-
ample of uncoanected individuals, will not accom-
pllsh the same purpose as that ofthe same indyId
uals, when members of organised societies. The
answer is obvious and 1t seems to me conclusive
Mankind have ever found union necessary 10 ac-
complish every great and desirable oil ct A STATE
of nature, as ii Is called, has never existed. except
IN the Imagination Of thto c,icul writers, since IA
am and Eve dwelt in Paradise. The individual
man b1s always been compelled TO resort To a con
hex'on with his fellows 10 protect those fiehts an
interests, Whichothcrwls wolll b. At the mercy of
he cunning and the strong. Religion, literature,
the arts, have, under Providence, owed lheir pro
grcss aud improvement, 10 united effort. The a-al
which might hlg IN oneonnectcl individuals. Is
kept constantly alive by concert aud comnnuuioa.
hat sPirttof attachment To tic body 10 winch W
belong that esprit dH cops, FROM winch SPRING
bleolry and intolerance, Is also the pnrsHlof much
good. Il IS ill,t enthusiastic artof, without wiish
no great aehle4m mt was ever performed. Let us
chen, firm and untcl pursue thai, course, which We
have cbalked ont for ourselves, clnsclou. tat con
e%sntrltcd and combined action only can produce
that reformation Mt which We ain, and thereby CON
fer upon the community the signal blessings which
must flow from It's accomplishment. But while the
members Of tins Society press onward with steady
perseverance, and untitlng zeal, in pursuit of is oh
ject, let them carefully abstain from every harsh or
tntol rant expression, against those who differ
with them in opinion, Many Of us should rccol-
lcct how completely our own views have been
changed within a short period, aud thus learn ,ole-
ration for those, with whom We formerly concur
red. Let us trus, in that maxim, which asserts the
sure & ultimate prevalence ottruth. All candid, IN.
dependent, and good men, will take that eouIs IN
relation to this matter, which reAexion and con
science dictate. Argument may win them over
but unmcrited obloquy will certainly deter them
from uniting with Us, We must commit all 10
HIM, who Is all-wise to direct, and omnipotent to
assist the honest efforts Of his creatures in a good
cause.