Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-07-04

u S'"6 W S""'f n ~ N'ny 70 NuiiSoj
deserves attention. 1t is boldly asser-
ted, that every man VINO signs the
pledge by the very act, acknowledges
himself in danger of becoming a drum
kard; yet all who decline signing the
pledge, are confidently claimed as uni
ting with them in denying the princ-
Pile, or (what in their vocabulary
means the same thing) opposing the
means employed for its propagation.
For that every person who approves
Temperance Societies, both in their
object and mode Of operation, must, if
consistent, embrace the first opportuni-
ty Of joining one, is proposition too
nearly self.evident either to require
proof, or TO encounter contradiction.
Now comparing the cant just named
with this obvious truth, it will be found,
being Interpreted, TO stand thus: Eve
ry man who is conscientiously opposed
to drinking al all, is IN imminent dan.
ger Of becoming drunkard: Or,
more generally, Every man who a.
VOWS his conviction, that particular
habit is unexpedent, dangerous, and
wrong, even in ITS lowest degrees,
thereby declares, that nothing short OF
a solemn and public promise can secure
him from carrying that habit to the
widest extremes ! /!
In the observations now offered, you
will readily see, Sir, the reason for an
humble suggestion which beg leave
to submit. As you, no doubt, purpose
pursuing this subject farther, would
1t not be judlcious, before entering on
the merits of the object to employ some
little time, in showing the propriety
and efficiency Of the means. This,
know, would be reversing the natural
order OF investigations; but, there are,
in many minds prejudices against the
latter, which must be removed, before
they will read, or listen to the discus
sion fthe former, with any degree oil
candour or even attention. A Tenn
perance Society is an association for
med for the purpose Of combining the
information and influence of all its
members, to fix the conviction Of the
following truth, wildly, effectively,
and indeIibly on the public mind: The
use Of ardent spirits as a beverage, is,
IN all cases, improbable, injurious, and
dangerous.
1t is not easy to see Why an instru-
mentality to the employment of which,
Tor other purposes, no man ever thought
Of Directing, should be SO fercely de-
nounced, when brought to bear on the
cause of Temperance. Should our OPP
ponents resort to the same method, |
venture to speak in the name Of Temper
ance. Society men collectively, whatev-
er obj ction we might have to the end
we should have none to the
means employed. Let them make the
attempt. Let them publish, to the
world, facts and arguments. Let them
point us to estates ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ton blasted-morals corrupted-con.
stitutons broken-lives shortened
poor houses, mad houses, and peniten.
tlaries flled-the public taxed - wild
ows and orphans beggared by absti-
nence from alcoholic drinks. Let
them collect the testimonies Of hundreds
Of eminent and respectable men-men
we'll acquainted with the whole subject,
that the use of ardent spirits as bev
erage, inyIgorates the constitution, lm-
proves the understanding, aud promotes
national & individual morality, wealth,
responsibility, and happiness. Let
them publickly draw up and sign in.
struments, setting forth these great and
manifold advantages, and in view o.
these considerations, pledging them
selves individually to take daily one
two, three, or more drains and &c
promote, by all lawful and proper
means, the same good practice, among
all to whom their influence may extend
We, Sir, will never contend that in sc
doing, they are violating any man.,
rights, employing unfair means 10 eff
feet their object, or acknowledging
themselves incapable Of a6staining from
Temperance, oithout signing an Intern
perance pledge.
Why do not opposers Of Temperance
Societies resort to this method Is il
because they cannot stoo) to means SC
dlshonorable? o unexampled fair.
ness lllustrious party that contains
thousands ofmud- wallowers, gamblers
and public criminals, but not one indi.
yidual, whose tender conscience will
allow him to stoop to deed so foul
as to lay before the public principles
demonstrated by hundreds of facts, and
facts attested by thousands of witness
es
When ! took up my pen, | intended
briefly to mention some considerations
tending to show that the measures en-
ployed by Temperance Societies, TO
gfIact fbnlr ,,,trpogac ara Ill