Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1836-07-14

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OF the other temperance societies IN town; and IN
deed, by most Of thegespecable citizens who ere no
members Of. such societies. And although nc daI
was very rainy, and every way unpleasant, he csle
bratiOn was very fully amended. and went Oirw
great spirit-with manifest good iesfle and width.
most marked satisfaction, Of al present. There wers
about persons assembled than half Of whom
were children under I6 years Of age; and who were
nearly all members ofthe juvenile temperance society
Notwithstanding the bad state Of the weather, an
interval between the showers Just before - o'clock
was used to form the children into procession, to the
number OF more than 800 They marched to the sound
Ol muslc' very regularly, under the direction of the
Marshal OF the day-canying two very handsome
banners having white ground, bordcred with blue
SILK tnnge and tassels; and inscribed in beautiful gilt
letters with the words Independence Tsune,once,,
There was also large suspended from the balco-
N.Y. and another in the house, which was very appro-
pnately waved when they sung the sstar spaneled
banner" Most of the ladies and gentlemen present,
joined the procession. The celebration had been de-
cded upon about three weeks previous to the fourth
instant; and very competent person had been en-
pIoyed to instruct the children Of the society in sing
ing; and they hadleaned seven or eight pieces adap-
ted to the occasion; two Of which were orginal-one
an ode by Mrs. Sgourney; and the other song by a
gentleman Of this town. The children were well in.
structed, and had made wonderful progress in their
music and all the pieces sung with great spirit,
and much accuracy, by more than one hundred per.
of both sexes The address, on the subject of In.
dependence, and of Temperance, by Mr.. MERR1cK,
the principal of the Methodist Seminary in Armenia.
was well written-happily adapted to the occasion
and delivered in bold and nervous style ofeouuence
And the address to the children particularly, by the
Rev. Mr. LArHRor, was very attractive, and peculiar
y well adapted to secure their attention. and to inter
est them in the subjects before them And there can
be no doubt but that an influence was there exerted
which cannot fail to produce the most beneficial and
permanent results in favor both Of republican govern
ment, and Of temperance. Many Of the parents of the
children engaged in the celebration were present;
come few of them wero incorporate and Others tho
personally temperate, had never enrolled their names
as members ofany society; and were, before, rather
hostile to the cause than otherwise But they were
all manifestly very much pleased and deeply interes-
ted in the proceedings and the good effects Of the eel.
ebfaton on this class Of persons was witnessed not
only by personal Qualification but by the addition
Of the names of fifty sixty children of such parents
to the temperance pledge, that day, Or within few
days previous thereto.
After the exercises were closed, the state Of the
weather was such that it entirely inexpedient to
repair to the tables which had been previously spread
under the shade of grove of large and beautiful trees
on both sides OF running stream close at hand where
it had been arranged to partake of the refreshments
provided for the occasion; consisting Of great album
dance OF cake oranges, pneappes, and other fruits
with great variety of confectionery, for eatables
and cold water, only, for drink The children and all
the audience were therefore, desired to retain their
seats in the house, and the refreshments were distr
buted to them there
The result Of this celebration affords very decisive
proof Of the great utility Of the plan Of establishing u
venile societies to advance the cause Of Temperance
At this early age children have fixed evil habits or
preudices to contend with and they almost invara-
bly, agree to the pledge, only with cheernlness but
with evident satisfaction and they agree as readily
to the whole pledge Of entire abstinence from all that
can ntoxicate," as to any partial pledge-they have
no inveterate appetite formed for any specific drink,
as wine, beer cider and win therefore as readily a.
gree to abstain from all from one of them. In this
way, it s thought, new impetus may be given to the
cause Of temperance, which win send il forward far
in advance Of its present condition. And something
Of this kind is very much needed for with the apa-
thy of some of its friends and the open and active OPP
position of its enemies seems not to have progressed
much, for year or two past in this vicinity Fl.
Salisbury, July 5, 1885, If -