Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-03-30
MORNING HERALD.
The Great Temperance Cause.


rable stir among those worthy citizens, who organi-
zed themselves few years ago, to rsforn the world
of its bad habits and Incorporate practices. After
coed deal of sogtaon they brought forth the follow
Ing article which has been over the city in the
shane OF Circular -
Circular.
Nav YoRK, March 23d, 1888.
DBAR SIR-The undersigned are connected with
an association for extending the benefits Of Tempe.
rance to their fellow in this city, and respectful
ly invite your attention to fow brief statements in
relation to il.
We are aware that some Of our most esteemed citi-
zsns are unfnendy TO organized efforts for the pro-
motion of Temperance These feelings have doubt
less been produced by the erroneous views unwise
measures, and misguided zeal of some "who are
wise above what is written" We deem II therefore
IN place here very briefly 10 state the objects and prn
ciPles of this Association.
Its sole object the promotion OF Temperance, by
intoxicating the practice of abstinence from lntexica
ting liquors a beverage. This broad principle IS
chosen because tens of thousands testify that such
use is not necessary, but injurious and dangerous;
and because the medication OF any practice short OF
this influence upon society AT large, Is found TO
be necaeous in arestlng the progress OF lntemper-
ance:
To secure the practical adoption of this principle
the measures of the Society kind and concatory
1t has ever avoided the agitation and discussion Of all
irritating questions which were considered irrelevant
public sentiment than such the most Conscientious
and sensitive approve Ii exhibits rule Of con-
dnctincempatible with the Dirine Standard and die.
tates 10 none the precise position they must occupy,
or be denounced either directly or By implication
hostile to sobriety and good morals. All eHcroach-
ment upon the rights OF others, which Is impoic
rs intoerant avoided by resting the success of the
cause upon faithful exhibition of the truth, the force
of argument, and efficacy Of example. When these
appeals any subscribe pledge of bstnence
from distilled liquors. they cordially received as
members, because many of the highest reputation for
wisdom and pety consclcnhousy refuse Il go any
farther and others because they regard wine certain
cases scrptarally allowed drak, and do not csns-
der fernented liquors intrlascay and universally in
furious Such persons, though they advance ne fur
ther, have made an important STEP Of two evils
they have chosen the least, and while their scru-
pies are respected, we will rejoice so long as they
exhibit consistent example of abstinence from that
which they consider the chief evil. And when any
who have commenced by rejecting ardent spirit or
otherwise, by argument, by experience, or obser
vatisn, convinced Is their duty TO abjure fcrReated
as we'll as distilled liquors, they gladly received
pledge TO that effect In these and all similar
cases. the Society pre- not to yrannze over con-
science and usarp the rights OF private Judgment. In
BOTH II refers the choice Of either pledge, the rejec
ton of beth 10 individual responsibility, without an
iasuiston of motives, or an impeachment of moral or
religious character.
To give extensioH and perpetuity these principles
and views associated ard systematic efforts OBJ
lHulSpCUSdDic III
disclosed ITSELF was one of fearful magnitude; aad |
subsequent inquiries and Investigations discover that
the half was not known and that intemPerance in
truth Of the greatest evils with which our COM
munity is afflicted. For besides obstructng most
,ther means of doing good ii is ascertalned that at
least three fourths Of the pauperlsm, crimes, and
the community, has It's origin IN this
impure source and also that more tina forty five
Of every dollar paid as tax, Is directly attributable TO
L. And exclusive Of the casual hlndrancss every
where experienced in the application of the remedy |
many were found Of a very formidable nature, grow
ing Of the changing and heterogeneous character
Of the population peculiar TO large commercial cities
Bat numerous as were the difficulties and vast and
uspromising as the field, this Society has not
been inundated, but has endeavored TO give such mi
nueaess and amplitude to its plans and nfuse such
vgor into its operations as would successfully cope
with this horrible vice. For this purpose the means
that have been employed TO enlghten the public mind,
enlist public sympathy, and secure energte action
too various to be here enumerated bat idea OF
their extent may be inferred from the fact that be-
sides the permanent employ Of general agent for |
FIVE years past more than 100 public temperance
meetings have been annually held, more than $50 vo
uateer laborers engaged; and the temperance peb-
satons within the same period sratultoasly dstribu
ted in the form of Reports, Tracts Newspapers &c,
exhibit aggregate equal to 20 millions Of duodecimo
pages.
From these Efforts have succeeded the NEST crafty
ng results. But eight years have elapsed since the
work commenced under the auspices Of few phlan- |
lhroplc individuals, yet from TINS humble beglnnlng
has arisen a larger combination against this odous |
vice. than exists in any other city in the world With
in Eve years. more than SO 600 persons by subscrb.
ing the pledge have been enrolled members; and it |
ls believed with a corresponding improvement in the
habits and condition Of the population
When this Society was organized, bu: few indi- |
vauals Of adult years could be found, who did in
some degree or in some form use Intoxicating liquors
as beverage. The evil, too was constantly deepen |
ing and widening. The public records sfthe city ex- |
hblted increase years Of IA per cent in the
number of licensed liquor stores above the increase of
Inc population and q rateable increase Of pauPerlsm
and crimes. Yet no means in operation which /
offered any effectual resistance. Sueag draks had |
indeed assumed the position, and were universally the
instruments Of compliment and hospitality
Especially among the labonng classes Of our citizens
had the occasions Of drinking form and regulation
which was imperative ruinous. But within /
few years. by the blessing Of Providence, how won
dress the change eec ed both in the moral and ply
seal condition of the peope The pernicious usages
and customs 10 which have referred, q great
extent broken up and any one may new refuse TO give
or take the intoxicating cup without loss Reputation
for so practical an exemP fcaton Of temperance prin-
cipIss So marked is the revolution IN pablo opinion
and practice that only 10 the Of strong drinks
considered disrepu,able, but ase the occsp atoms
which minister 10 the drsnkard's appetite; and bat
persons whs value the respect Of their fellow men,
are now found in the business, and fewer snA who |
dare outrage the moral sense OF the community, by
defending pursuits full Of evil III these statements
need confirmation, point TO the decreased manu- |
fscture and consumption Of distilled liquors, and 10