Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-01


our solemn conviction. and The evidence
by which it is supported. Can this be
censured by any friend TO freedom o.
thought. freedom of speech. or the free
dom of The Ptess? Surely not; nnles,
our principles can be shown 10 he neon
ps'ible with the peace and safety Of The
community
In our associate capacity, we coniine
our attention, exclusively. TO the objects
for which our Societies are formed We
ak not about any mans opinions or con
duct on other subjects. We enquire on.
ly whether he IS prepared TO CO operate
with us on this No method Of defeating
any enterprise is more etfectusl than 10
blend IL with another, in its own nature
distinct. SO testify reason. and the un
varying experience of mankind
| 81 long as our testimony is before the
public. we are resolved that it shalt nat
be c0ntrsdlcted by our conduct. Should
any dissent from US in this particular. we
leave them 10 pursue. unmolested. their
own course. As their mode Of operation
differs essentially from ours. they aud w-
cannot co operate When WE Jim the
formed, not 10 drink, (wneiher in the So
icirtv or noi) ,rhiie our rie,rs continue as al
present. and we JON for the purpose oi
" flpencing Others 10 adopt the same reso
luton. Finally any number can withdraw
at pleasure.
A defence Of such means seems almost
as unnecessary, as the attempt to impugn
them is ridiculous. We defy the comb
ned powers Of ingenuity and malice. to
invent an objection, more applicable 10
this. than 10 every other fundamentally
ever employed to produce favorable
change in public opinion.
Objections. indeed. have been invented.
and urged with great vehemence. Grare
Dipines with blush he il spoken) have
written backs 10 give them plsnsihiIiiy T;
and, as the result Of their Iabor.. we have
one proposition. and only one. fully dem
onstraied: That the writers are either
utterly ignorant Of the whole suhj-c'. or
determined TO oppose-wi,h foundation
if they without foundation If they
must.
The silly ou'cry. that. "he who joins a
Temperance Society. thereby acknowled
ges himself in danger Of becoming a
drunkard," has, trust, been Sufficiently
disposed Of. in my former communication
This confession iii it be one) has IN
doubtedly a very peculiar property; for
in no case has the individual been con.
scious of making 1t !; nor have the public
ever. in a single instance. inferred the fact
from the acknowledgement.
The talk about prescription. you. Sir,
have treated with proper spiri, and with
your usual ability may possibly have
occasion 10 disturb its ashes at some fu-
iure time. For the present, let it rest
quietly in that grave. to which. with due
soIemnity, you have consigned it,
Some people descant with marvellous
length of face lin mercy TO our language
let it not be called grauityD or the prodi
gious sacrifice of personal liberty involved
in joining Temperance Society. Sure
" these be Abraham's seed. and were
never in bondage TO any man Their
hearts ache with pity. or " nreH TO bnrs
tug nigh" with scorn. when they think OF
those who are bound by solemn promise.
10 refrain from a practice, without which
they can scarcely hope for the high hon
or OF NHllOWmS WIN iht swine, 'Fh'ine
their wives, or numbering their children.
or of taking up their deli. httul abode
amid the splendors Of poor house. mad
house, or peniieniisry-a who can
never be freed from this worse than
egyptian bondage. without first submit
ting 10 the insurporiable drudgery of go
ing 10 the Secretary OF Temperance
Society. making all the muscular efor,
necessary TO artcuIate perhaps half a do
zen words. lifting the pondrons weight of
pen or pencil. and performing the Her.
culean labor Of erasing their own names
With what devout gratitude, may they
thank God. that they are not as other men
are. (some may indeed hesitate TO ennme-
rate) exforliouers, unjust, (hut with what
heart felt emphasis may they add o.
even as these Politicians members OF
Temperance Societies - that they can gel
d, INK twice in a week. and pay Ito BAG
chus) iithes Of all they possess
To such champions Of freedom be all
due bonors given.-For the present. eve
leave them alone with their glory.
II. ~. X