Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-02
So per annum.
5 per annum.
ALEXANDRIA TEMPERANCE SOCIETY

ALEXANDRIA TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
The Society held its Annual Meeting in the
First Presbyterian Church, on Thursday eve
ming, the 9th ult.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev.
Mr.. HUTCHINSON.
The following Report from the Executive
Committee was read and adopted:
REPORT.
sThe Executive Committee, at the close of this
lthe 4th) wear of the existence ofthe Alexandra
Temperance Society, respectfully present their
report.
could congratulate the Society that, by the MUD
and friendly efforts we have used-by the hight
we have. in various ways, thrown upon the SUBJ
loot and by our endeavors to draw TO it the at
tention of our fellow citizens, fhtemperance had
been banished from among US; and that we no
lonoer witnessed in our streets It's disgusting
and melancholy effects. But, alas! we cannot.
Instead of meeting you with notes OF triumph
as for a victory, it rather becomes Us TO assume
the subdued tones of those who nave done Ut
tie more than to maintain their starting ground.
AT our last annual meeting this Society num-
hered 3OS: since then there have been added on
ly ga poor result from the labors OF a year;
and when we compare it with what is doing IN
the cause elsewhere, we teel Doth gfleved ana
BUNDLED. Some share of the blame may at
zach 10 us: we may have wanted in zeal; yet
have we not been entirely forgetful of what was
expected of us: we have endeavored, by the
best means in our power, to keep the attention
of our public directed towards the cause Whlch
we were charged to promote: we nave distrl-
buted large numbers Of temperance addresses
and newspapers-calle meetings OF our towns
men-made arguments-stated facts, and beg
oed them candidly to consider of their duty and
responsibility in this matter. With what sue
cess. we have already stated, so tar as Is lndl-
Gated by the increase of members.
II is a fact, and one much to be lamented,
that but few of the influential men OF our COM
munity have come forward with thelr Talents
and influence to the aid~of the temperance
cause. In many other places, we hear OF men
of the highest intellect aud character, who have
been elevated by the people to the io1tleSt sra
tons in the republic, engaging with zeal IN pro-
noting the best interests OF their country by awe
eating the principles of temperance. We ear
nestly hone that our prominent men Will ere
long be induced to follow their excellent exam
pie; and venture the opinion, that, upon a can
did consideration of the subject, they will ind
the cause well worthy of all their influence and
their efforts.
In June last, a Committee was appointed to
visit Piscataway, in Maryland, with the view OF
reviying the Temperance Society in that place.
The Rev. Mr.. Harrison was the only member
of the Committee who was able to attend. He
reports that he delivered an address; that about
so Joined the Society, and that much good teel-
ing on the subject was manifested by the people
of the neighborhood.
The Committee have endeavored to obtain
as accurate information as was practicable re
latiye TO the effects of the use and trattlc IN ar
dent spirits upon this community. The results
they BEG leave to present to the meeting, Inc
Warlen of the Penitentiary of the District says
that ofthe 40 inmates OF the house say they were
temperate, 10 were moderate drinkers, ~ con-
: slant thinkers and 10 habitual drunkards; and
that II of the 40 were under the influence of ar
dent spirits when they the crimes Tor
which they were imprisoned. The late Keeper
of the Alexandria Aim and Work House GER
titles that he believes at least 2-3ds OF those who
were under his care for a period of 13 years,
we've brought there by intemperance. The
Keeper of the County Jail says that nine-tenths
of those confined there are Incorporate.
These statements we believe to be moderate
that respecting the Aims House, particularly.
Where shall we look for the source of all this
crime and misery2 We hesitate not in saying,
il NAV be found in the traffic in ardent spirits.
A frightful responsibility rests upon those VINO
throw open upon their fellow-mortals the sources
and keen full the streams of the poison which
thus DESTROYS them. But the most mlschlevous
snecies Of the traffic are the licensed dramshops.
II is against these, and the laws which autnor-
ize them, that we should direct our greatest eft,
forts, if we wish to grapple with the monster
successfully.
In conclusion, the Committee would remind
the members Of this Society that if they really
have the advancement of the temperance cause
at heart, it behoves them to be much more act
i've than heretofore. The pledge which they
have signed not only requires them 10 be tenn
perate themselves, but that they should use all
reasonable means to induce others to be SOTO
warn he Incorporate of their danger, and to
win them back, if possible, to the paths of tenn
perance and virtue.
The Society was then addressed by the Hon.
Messrs. SouTHARD and FRELINeRUysEN; of the U.
Senate.
The third article of the Constitution was read;
and 81 persons having signed the Constitution,
were admitted members of the Society.
Adjourned till Monday, the 31st.
March 81.
The Society met, according to adjournment,
in the Session Room of the Second Presbyte-
rian Church.
After prayerby Rev. Mr.. HARRISON, the socie-