Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-07-04
COMMUNICATION.
For the Gazette. ]
TO PRO PATRIA.

an article from yonr pen, designed to
call the attention Of the citizens OF
"Old Berkeley" to the subject Of Tenn
perance. | have, for some time, wish
ed that the influence Of the press in
this community, might be brought to
bear upon this great and good cause.
So strong was this desire, that at one
time, unaccustomed as | was TO write
for the public eye, | was induced to
prepare communication for the Ca
zette on the same subject. On review
ing what | had written, / found the
thoughts so trite that could not con-
sent to obtrude them on the attention
Of others. Indeed this appears to be
difficulty which the opposer Of intem-
perance must necessarily encounter.
The propositions that he maintains
can neither be rendered clearer by IL.
lustration, nor more evident by argu-
rnent. To every unprejudiced and re-
flecting mind, they appear at first riep,
as plain and as certain as that twice
two are four, tina, arsenic is poisonous,
or that docapitation will produce death.
Irejoice, Sir, that the work from
which | was deferred By this conside-
ration, has been undertaken by ADLER
hands. While the claims ofthis cause
are so obvious as seriously to embar-
rass its advocate, TO rescue it from ge-
neral neglect, is an enterprise of suffi-
Gent difficulty to demand the best eff
forts OF the most forcible pen, ana the
most eloquent tongue. In this ardu-
Gus but important undertaking, should
any suggestions from an individual 50
obscure as mysels, afford you the least
assistance, | shall regard it as one Of
the peculiar felici,ies ofmy lie.
1t is true, as was shown by one Of
the speakers at the late nesting of the
Young Mems Temperance Society"
that the principle of entire abstinence
from the use of ardent spirits as bev.
erage, did not originate with Temper
ance Societies, but has been held and
propagated by large and respectable
bodies Of Christians for nearly two
hundred years at least. Yet, nothing
is more certain than that, both in fact
and in the public mind, the diffusion OF
the principle is now identified with the
prosperity Of those associations to
which it has given name. The reason
is obvious: Tho principle which was
formerly held by some individuals as
private opinion merely 10 direct their
own conduct and by some christian
denominations, among variety off
other tenets by which they were dis.
tinguished, is now the only popularity |
of certain societies. Tns friends of
Temperance, OF all sects and of all par
ties, have selected these as the bes,
means of bringing this subject before
the public mind. Hence, to oppose
Temperance Societies is, in effect,
whether in design or not, to encourage
the drinking ofdistilled liquor. Which
are right, the Temperance Societies or
the friends Of alcahol? The great
mass Of the people recognise no third
party. OF course, to vote against the
one, is to vote for the other.
There are a few individuals, and
among them some of the wisest and
best men in our country who appear
entitled TO be regarded as third party.
They are Jealous for the Temperance
principle in its utmost extent, while
they feel some objections to Temper
auce Societies. Yet net one of these
men, has ever dared to place himself
before tho public in the attitude of an
opponent of such societies. So far as
my Information extends, every book,
every pamphlet, every newspaper ar
ticle against Temperance Societies,
which has yet issued from the press,
has avowedly advocated, to greater
or less extent, the practice Of dram
drinking. This fact admits Of but one
explanation. Those who are friends
of Temperance, without being lrien6s
of Temperance Societies, understand
the question really before the people,
and know they cannot alter it. They
dare not exert their influence against
Temperance Societies, because this
would be to exert it in favor of Rum,
Whiskey, Brandy, and Gin.
What has now been said will &C.
count for circumstance which un-
questionably deserves a prominent
place in the enumeration Of the causes
of that general disregard to this sub
ject which you SO Justly lament. Tenn
perance, and Temperance Societies be-
ing so fully identified in the public
mind, every wearer of pantaloons that
has caught from the lips of some SELF
constituted oracle, some such response
as 81 can keep from becoming a
drunkard, without joining Temper.
ance Society )" or 81 do not need the
shackles of solemn pledge, and there
fore intend to be free;" or "Temper-
ance Societies are at variance with the