Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-05-15
American Temperance Union

ms Assoc ration held Its anniversary at the Muir
ray street Church on Thursday evening The BODY
OF the building was nearly filled long before the hour
hxea on Tor the chair to be taken, and usual at
most OF these assemblies, nine tenths of the congre
gation were lovely ladies'. At half past Mr.. Della
van, OF Albany, who has fought such strong fight
with the renowned brewers of that city, was nomi-
mated to the chair.
The Secretary read letter from Gen Cook the
President OF the parent society, apologzng for his
inability to attend the meeting. The Rev. MIR. Hop
kins then delivered prayer to the throne of grace,
and thanked God for all his goodness and for every
thing which had been done for the cause of tempe
rance in foreign lands.
The Chairman than called on the Corresponding
Secretary, who read the report Of the Executive
Committee for the past year. The document which
was very ably writteR set out by observing that he
distinguishing features Of the pastyear had been the
continued triumphs which had been achieved by the
friends OF the temperance cause the agents of
ruin aud moral corruption. Ireland and Chine-
Britain and France-were no longer slaves to the
poisonous drug and to the enervating wine cup The
cause had taken deep hold the affections Of the
American people, and ii already Influenced the po-
itica measures Of our country although not to the
full extent to which the Society hoped they would
be enabled to report before the expiration of ano
theryear. They had vet been enabled to do'much
in the way getting laws, enacted which should
terminate the traffic in drinks. Appeals had been
made in some places to tn: people, who in some
contrary. In Tennessee and Mississippi the PEG
pie went against the use Of Intoxicating drinks
and in Massachusetts, the same. Still there
much TO congratulate the friends Of temper
ance OF, for, although the results had been null
hilarious, still, on the whole, they were highly
favourable to the cause. Not only had the
people, but the vendors Of spirits had made grand
effort TO throw of the yoke which Satan and his
emissaries had fixed the necks Of the idler, the
blackleg and the dissolute youngsters, who throng
the market and public places of our cities. A law
ought be passed which should prevent the sale Of
intoxicating drinks in toto and thus pat all on Tie
same footing The tee total pledge must be insisted
on, and the wine -bibber must be left alone in his
FtnNf he afA Naxr
York alone, 81, $50 converts had been made all Of
whom had taken the pledge, and the missionaries Of
the society had induced 70 COO to join the standard
Through the Union, upwards ST two million con-
verts bad been snatched like brands from the burn
ing gulphs Of alcohol, and even temperance cele-
brations Oft the 4h Of July had become highly popu
lar. Letters had been receiv d from public officers,
who had promoted the good work, aud two mayors
OF cities had actually given their visitors nothing
but cold water when they called to congratula'e
them ON the recurrence OF New Years Day.
Drunkenness had become questionable, and was
merely confined TO two classes. The poor debauched
emigrants who were sent from the poor houses of
Europe, and the seamen who were landed from our
ships, to be plundercd and delrauded by the land
sharks. The other classes were the rich and re-
spectacle spendthrfts and the fashionable loafers,
who dashing about our Cities reckless oi their
health, their friends, and their immortal souls
These still stick to their sparkling champagne, their
whiskey punches their sherry cobblcrs, their mint
!nisPs, and gin sling;: They must have their cock
trrup cups in the afternoon, and their night caps
at night IL the statistics Of these sinners could be
collected, it would appa! the rest Of the world
Still they did not despair but in 20 years they woald
have effected thorough reformation.
The Report then took view Of the results Of the
labors Of the Temperance Societies, and showed in
contestibly that in the United States the dstng OF
fermented liquors already on the decrease
that beer drinking England and whiskey drinking
ireland had become partial converts to the cold
water system; but that France,-wine dri' king
ran st n her nd
AMI Sweden could be made nothing Of.
The Report, on motion Of =. V. >. Wilder, Esq :,
was ordered TO be printed
The Rev. Dr. Humphrey then addressed the meet
ing in very eloquent manner, and was followed by
John Tappan, Esq Of Boston.
The Hon. Theodore Frelnghuysen moved the
next resolution, which was seconded by MIR. Cros-
by.
Rev. G.. n. Kirk closed the meeting by an address;
after which colsnion was taken up in aid Of the
cold water systend