Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-11-25


ance reformation their cordial and united support;
their influence in society rs great. much greater
tflan they imagine, great that nothing believe
IS required to complete the temperance refofma-
non but united movement on their pati, such
movement, 1t seems to me would accomplish
the work as 1t wers hy magic.
The first Temperance Society was organized
IN the month Of April, lS0s, IN the county 81
Saratoga, State of New YuTk, Il had for some
time numerous, formidable obstacles 10 sncuul-
ter; the members OF the church We're generally
m the habit of drinking, and one of its principle
officers was an extensive retailer Of spirits; they
therefore conceived the Interest prejudice against
the whole scheme. The same preludtes exist
ed every where at first against the society, num-
her Of worthy and intelligent men lost their IN.
fidence IN the community, on account OF the
stand which they took III favor OF temperance;
Ministers Of the Gospel preached against the n-
Shiullon, and in some Instances, members of the
church were actually accommodated for Join
ing 1t. But these obstacles gradually gave way
as the nature aud objects OF the institution be-
came better understood, and lis good effects be.
came manifest. Societies increased IN number
in every part of the country, prejudice Welded To
'iS WIZ W uHtu buSNWubuS w VIC HldtfH VI
reformation were removed, until finally much
more sound and heathlul state Of public senti-
ment was established upon the subject of tenn.
perance. The society has been productive al
much good, The quantity Of ardent spirits used III
this country since lis formation has been very
much less0ned, drunkenness Is much less cum
mon, and temperate drinkers have been very
much diminished in numbers. These are facts
which must 90 far to establish the claims Of The
Temperance Society on all who feel an interest
IN The comforts, the happiness, the moral and IN
teectual Improvement ofsocie'y.
Notwithstanding the efforts of many dstin.
gushed men, Intcmperance continued to increase
until the formation of the Temperance Society,
since which time il has steadily diminished. En-
peredoe then settles the question, concerning the
superiority Of associations over mere individual
examples, This might have been inferred pror
to experience, from knowlel ge of the fact,
that men acting together acc )mpish more than
the same number acting separately, however
great their exertions: wise men, whenever any
great object was to be accomplished have always
united their wisdom and exertions, and acted in u
body. Such union leads TO deep Investigation
aud thorough understanding OF the whole sub
lect, to the creation and combination of moral
power, and to unity aud concert OF action. All
objections to the Temperance Society must
therefore cease, as its Importance Is now estab-
lished by the fullest experience.
As citizens O! free country we have dou-
BILE interest at stake IN the diffusion Of knowl.
edge, aud the promotion oil virtue among iht
people. SO far as government is concerned w
are ahead of any nation of the world, either an.
Gent or modern, no milton has ever yet establish
I'd government so perfect ~ all It's parts as the
government Of the United States. To ptesory,
his government in its purity, requires that We
.houd be equally ahead OF all other nations il
virtue aud Intclligence-lree government cannot
restonanv othorioundations. MUnarchial and aris-
locratical forms of government are not dependant
for their preservation on the virtue and Intelligence
If the people, certain evidence that these gov
arnmtnts properly belong to an aye OF cylllZutlon,
less advanced than that which is required to sup
pert free institutions. Many good and grea
men have entertained fears with regard to ibe
stability Of free governments, they have learnec
hat no nation was yet ripe for such government
that none contained sufficient degree Of virtue
and intelligence for then preservation. We sin.
cereIy hope that those icTs are groundess, baI
| candonr cOmpes US to say lhat ihfy are moi VIM
out plausibiluy there !. much ignorance, much
vice even IN this county, the most generally en-
bghlened probably OF any other The public
mind must be enlightened, the standard of NOR
ais must be elevated, all INSTRUCTIONS 10 The adj.
vanccmcnt Of society must be r. moved before any
certain calculations eau BE- made upon contln-
uance Of our present form Of government; but let
this be done and the freedom Of mankind will
no longel be problem, ii will be certainty, but
until then we must never let our confidence be.
tray US into false security.