Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-22
ADDRESS
OF THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES OF TIE CITY
OF RICHMOND.

OF the wavering and ash the sneers and taunts o
its bitter opponents This great and novel mora
revolution benign in influence and brilliant IN re
suits, is moving onward in both hemispheres pre-.
senting, emphstically, in the eyes Of all men,
spectacle OF momentous concern. Other social anc
moral reiormations have been gradual; this ha,
started into full ygor at once, and, noble, humane
and Christian like in character, stands without
parallel IN the records of centuries.
Thus regarding this common cause, and cheered
by its prospects in our own community, the
Temperance Societies Of this city deem the pre-
sent proptious to address TO their fellow.
citizens a few words upon a subject in which no
one is without n share of interest. Without at.
tempting elaborate argument detail OF facts they
propose declare the true character and objects
the Temperance reformation, and desire, by awak.
ening attention to the subject TO induce investiga-
ton and serious reflection. IL Is topic on which
the reader may be approached as a brother. having
n common interest and desire. All readily appre-
cilte the blessings OF Temperance TO individual Is
and communities. Opinions differ only TO the
true principle aud plan of reform.
The FIRST point in the present aspect OF Tempe
rance doctrines, is marked and curious one. For
,ncrly Total Abstinence was considered unreason
able and ultra. IL now stands confessed rs the
only Temperance fortress whose rnmparts cannot
be orokeu down. Others are sure to be gradually
Slapped and overturned: this, firm and impregnabe,
wthstands all sieses.
Exuerience has demonstrated that individual eff
fort, hoSevcr philinlhropic, and legislative action,
however energetic, nadeq late TO arrest the pro-
gress OF incompetence. The same sure test has as
certaIned the nsucIency Of the combined effort OF
Temperance Societies permanently 10 check the
evil 10y prohibition OF the use OF ardent spirits,
while their members are permitted 10 indulge in
other intoxicating liquors. Three hundred hou
sand drunk uds continued to infcst the land and
500, 900 10 be annually wasted IN the consump
ton OF intoxicllug drinks. The true remedy Tor
this siInt ev was at ength put IN successful ope
ration. IL is simply the pledge Of Total AbsIl-
nence. Partial abstinence afforded but precarlOus
aud delusve protection. IL was SHE d OF gave,
especially TO the unfortunate person who slFOve TO
ward of the merccss assaults OF what bitter eHpeti.
told terrible, an ever pursuing foe. The
partial pledge, instead of giving sustained I'M
pulse rather retarded the go ri cause, presenting !,
in erroneous and deceptive light
The next point is even more remarkable than TIE
first.
Those objects OF the Temperance soici,ude, who
it feared, were beyond tue reach of effort have
suddenly risen in the majesty OF moral strength
and intelligence, have cast off the bonds OF rum
Gus habit, and with a long, wide pervidng shout,
have made the land ring with their JOY. "IhaEk
God! zoe free! is the expression o. the grateful
hearts OF thousands OF he redeemed
The victim hls become the master and the soul
cheeu,' sigh is bthsld OF the Temperance army
moyin. on ward with the reformed IN front Tnr
may be regarded an earnest that the corner stonC
has been set TO the temple. The weight ol tins ar
yument cannot I've resisted When asked for man
ifest results II the Temperance effort, we point 10
the returned who have found permanent rescue
and an abiding Joy. The Societies based on the
pledge of IOlai Abstinence are cities OF refuge
for them. Or shOu d this suffice not 10 silence ca
vii and put ridcule to shame, may take ,he
gainsayer to the bosom of families once desoIated,
and he shall be answered by happy wives and
smiling children.
Thus Is embraced the whole Temperance move
ment. It's principle is total abstinence, brought
into efficient practical operation. by public pledge
ur solemn promise, which, tho each member OF a
Society may relract at will, IS found, on trial. TO be
more effvctua than good intentions, however hon.
esliy formed because, appealing strongly 10 lndvl.
dual honor and pride OF consistency, puts TO silence
temptation from within, and importantly from with
out until personal experience OF the benefits of ad
herence TO the pledge, oreEcomes a! desire 70 re
nounce IT,
Impressed with full persuasion that Total Ab
stinence is the only sale refuge for those who hay,
been ured from the true paih and certain security
TO ali who would avoid 80 fearful danger, We earn
es,ly desire TO urge It's Advantages upon the rea
son and Judgment OF AL. But We would especially
prets home to the conviction of the most in,emper
ate man, the established truth, and bright hope tia
even he may be saved.
We do not assli individuals professions; "
leave ell 10 the exercise Of their free and unoassc
will; and desire only to approach and speak wit
them as free citizens and reasonable men-as me-
VINO love their Country'S Sea! and their own wei
fare; and we rely at las. Tor every movement in tn
matter their voluntary and dlspasslonale action
But we do wage a ceaseess warfare against intor
icItiug drinks, assured as we Zee! that there is NJ
evil 50 prolific Of curses and sorrows 10 mankind q
the habit Of using them TO excess.
As an nducement TO all who would favor the c!
fort 10 prevent the formation Of this habit, and L
slve the unfortunate, we will briefly advert 10 a few
facts 10 relation 10 results recently effected IN thl
city.
The old Richmond Temperance Society, base
on the parila pledge, after langUld existence, h1t
become virtually dead, and eight months ago ther
was in truth little no Temperance movement here
About seven months since, the Rev. Mr. Barnes, az
agent Of the American Young Mems To;a Al.
stlncnce Society, visited this cry, and chccrcd 10y
lac sounds OF victory from the Reformed Drunk
ards Of Baltimore, and sustained by the intrinsic
merits Of las cause, was enabled 10 establish an
auxiliary Soc ETY. among the young men. IL sooI
went forward wIih spirit and success. The Old So.
Cicty was resuscIiatCG, ADD gave hearty cO-opera
ton TO the new one under us better pledge. They
held frequent alternate and combined meetings
Public attention was aroused, and large addition.
were made 10 their numbers One and another, p
parently confirmed drunkards, came Forward anl
took the pledge, I'LL the number Of the reformed wa
sufficient to organize a separate Society. In Au
gust last, Washington Society was formed, com
nos d Of the best miefiis and destined 70 extend
blessing through all coming lme. The number o
FIST was ssvsn. NowE is GJiy sir. They ho,
week Y social and occasional public meetings. a.
of them have been less under the tnrl don
menLs Of the value Of tie cause, and are feOced L
declare and exhibit Themselves once MORE as sober
and industrious citizens. 10 The three Societie.
more than FIVE hundred persons have taken On,
pledge, and D. IS believed that hundreds who have
70; jDined any society have wholly abandoned the
use Of intoxicating drinks. The public mind is eyi.
IDENTIFY turn win much interest u 0 sabjecl and
IS believed 10 be Progressively becoming more n.
vorable 10 the success Of the enterprise iho' many
Of It's we'll wshers are not yet prepared 90 lend
Their hearty co operation. rne public Press IS also
voluntarily coming 10 our aid AID il 70 evident that
vigorous and united sOr on the part Of rs frcnds
is only required, under the - VINE esslpg 10 give
the retOIuatO On decided us-gudauCy, 90 tus recon
Of our beloved ; ave.
This brief and imperfect sketch, though out n
humble story compared with The overwhelming
success of the cause 90 other .rgs 10 f-s d aprl-
rent that We have begun wei; that W. nay DO bet
tef. and that 10 Is truly WORTHY OF tiie r.rr,#
sod sd OF all good men; designed in the Provide, e,
ofGod to extend the great interest Of mora s, gor
and social happiness.
Did We incline 20 draw for the public eye. a pic
tufe Of thrilling interest and wonder, we would 'lA
the circle Of blessings which have followed the FOO.
steps Of Temperance We would cspeclI.Iy tra
verse Ireland, following the path pursued 10y "a
thcr Mathew, and listen % his eu.Ogy from the Ilp
Of fJs Millions Of pledged deyoleeC Of Temperance
We would 20 over the ground q the proud Islam
of the Ocean and behold the Joy Of the tens Of tho,
sands made fee by the pledge. We would 70
Sweden, and mark the fruit Of the iabors Of the U
ncyooni Balrd, or instead Of lingering 10 conteu
plate the smiling benefits h1wins IN these and 9th,
foreign countries, from the advances Of this heavei
born cause, We would return with patriot and Chri
tnn emotion 70 our Owr shores, and marshal ,hr
hundred and fifty thousand Of the reformed, real;
ing 10 their persons and families the joyful bessin
which temperance scaiters TO her foIowcts
Orif we would display IN painful contrast befo
Ifg fIUN ryfI. l.