Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-15

time extend to them an invitation to joi
US under the pledge. :.
As first stated, the merchants general
in this town, have struck from their list Q
merchandise, Ardent Spirits but with re
greet we have 10 say that some still ven
the article. We do hope upon further re
fection not only will every merchant il
this iowa, but every merchant 10 Berke
lev. exclude from his list of merchandise,
this foe to the best interest Of man. Sure
ly the profits which may arise from III,
sale Of ardent spirits, are not 10 be com
pared in rejecting mind, with the mise.
~. the degradation, and the ruin, which
tbe sale and use of it. brings upon tho hu.
man family. We feel confident, il any
merchant or veuder Of The article, would
ait down and trace out all the bearings
and results connected with this traffic, he
would Immediately abandon il forever
To bring the mind 10 this state Of refec
lion, il is only necessary 10 have reference
to our daily observations.
Another evidence Of the onward march
If our cause IS, the universal concurrence
Of the press upon this subject. II is with
o,;de we say il, that the political, the
Commercial. and The religious press. have
come up 10 our help ia this noble cause !;
and they now proclaim with one voice
their appreciation Of this reformation -
With this influence on our side. we fear
nothing Let but the united voice Of the
press speak upon any subject, that sub
iect, that opinion, or that scheme is set
tlsd and hence the importance of having
periodicals exclusively dedicated 10 this
reform. and every temperance man who
is able, should feel himself bound to pa
tronize them Upon this subject. your Ex-
ecuive Board have acted, with the view
of introducing ia this community we'll
conducted paper. and they hope It will
have respectable circulation.
1t il no, to be expected that the great
reform, contemplated in our efforts. is to
be accomplished in short time. The ex
isiing evil, against which our operations
are directed. has become SO closely ideD
tilted with the existence Of society. that IL
would amount TO fanaticIsm TO calculate
upon an entire and immediate reform. rs
public opinion is not changed in day. or
a month, or even year much less can
we expect TO effect radical reform in ma
ny OF the important features OF society, IN
SO short a time.
Then our great duty may be summed
up in a few words, namely: Keep public /
attention alive. Do this. and the day is I
not far distant. when the White Flag Of
Temperance will proudly wave ia triumph
DER our land.-Then the lang uage.
Hail Columbia! happy land.
will find response in every American
heart.
Is it necessary here TO enter into a !
calculation Of the amount OF good which
would accrue 10 our country, II the pr'n |
ciples involved in the temperance assncia |
tons were recognized by this nation p? IL |
would be bright day, indie ed Our po-
iical sun would shine with splendor that
would light up the very darkest corner oil
our earth new energies would be brought
into reauisition knowledge would IN
crease; and grand jubilee would pro-
claim the event. No one pretends TO de-
lend drunkenness abstraclly considered
vet unfortunately, many yes, many oil Tie
most respectable individuals, who could
WELD an amount Of influence hardly con
ceiyabe, are found supporting the priv
lege Of taking dram, as some great right,
which is vital 70 liberty; and we hear
them saving that drunkenness is an EVIL
which must be tolerated upon the ground
Of necessity in the case-and IN tbis way
pntiing into the mouths OF those who are
drinking up the very bread. which should
support their starving families, an excuse
for their degrading practice. What an
SCRABBLE exhibition this. Of blindness. The
use of ardent spirits necessary for what
To bring beggary. restitution, and crime
upon man! Bot why reason with the
blind +? why speak to the deaf? The man
who urges necessity as plea for 4he use
of alcohol as beverage. is either IN love
with il, or he has not examined the facts
in the case.
In view of these facts, we most earnest
" call on our fellow citizens, TO JOIN with
us in Vanishing, forever, this degrading
curse from our land. Let IT not be any
longer said, that we who boast Of political
freedom, are willing 10 wear the tyrsnIcai
woke of alcohol. As freemen, vindlcatc
YOUR rights, and spurn with contempt this
dehasing foe, Come now. as did your fore
fathers, and pledge yonr lives. your Tor
tunes. and your sacred honor. TO ban'sh
this curse from our otherwise happy land.