Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-04-16
For the Herald.

At the quarterly meeting of the Blooming
ton temperance society held on the Cd Of April,
after the quarterly report Of the executive COM
mittee had been read and adopted, the follow
inc resolution was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the quarterly report of the
executive committee be published in the Bloom
ington newspapers.
Second Quarterly Report Of the Erecutire Cam
mittee ofhe Bloomington Temperance Society.
Mr. PREslDENT-The Executive Committee
beg leave to state that since their last quarter
ly report, the temperance cause has received
new impulse, and for a time much excitemen.
prevailed through the whole community.
Temperance meetings have been held once
in two weeks, when public addresses were de-
livered by several of our citizens who were APP
pointed for that purpose, and who discharged
their duties with honor to themselves and we
trust with benefit to the community.
As is always the case, some persons during
the excitement of the moment (whose appe-
,ites were stronger than they would fain have
themselves or others believe) were induced to
sign the pledge of "total abstinence ;" but
when temptation beset them, have fallen back
into the road to inebria,ion, - as the sow who
is washed, to her wailowing again in the
mire." Notwithstanding few have fallen,
the society has gone forward, aud its influence
has been felt and extended through this entire
community, and the country At The present
time our society numbers l32 members, 4S Of
these haylng given their names TO the pledge
since the last quarterly report. Out of this
number however, IL have been charged with
violating their pledge, and have been duly
brought before your committee in accordance
with the bye laws of this society. few of
this number, in answer to the charges against
them, have plead in eX.enuation, either strong
and excessive temptation, or forgelfulness at
the moment, that they were members of the
temperance society, and promise in future,
strict adherence to its principles. Others man
ifest careless Indifference about their broken
pledges, or their more oomy prospect of ere
long filling a drunkard's grave. Owing to the
want Of quorum OF your committee at their
last meeting, final action was not had in the
cases alluded to and your committee recon-
mend continuance OF all those cases until
the next meeting, when such disposition will
be made as the wisdom of the committee shall
deem just and right.
Your committee cannot refrain from repeat
ing their former expression, that great injury is
done TO the cause of temperance, by those who
profess outwardy 10 be temperate. while at
the same time they are encouraging lntemper-
ance. However strong man may preach
theory, if he does not practice by it his efforts
can do no good, especially as where appetite
must be denied i, requires both precept and ex-
ample.
Your committee would suggest that no per-
son be urged to sign the pledge Of temperance,
unless it is believed such person will keep i,
invioIate. Sound argument and sober Judg-
ment only. should convince any person of the
useless. and perniclous habit Of drinking any
kind OF Intoxicating beverage, and when thus
convinced, let them give their names to SOL
emn pledge. 10 s'toach not, taste not, handle
NOT the accused thing as long as the world
stands. lnte,nperance is Hydra headed
monster and cannot be trfled WITH with i'm
puuity. OF all the hopeless cases, your cum-
mittee deem those the most desperate, where
a person lays aside all pledges, breaks over all
promises, and returns TO his wonted cups. In
nine cases out of ten he is in all human proba
bility, ruined in his temporal interests and goes
into eternity to meet drunkard's retribuion.
While upon the subject Of violated pledges
your committee cannot but express their deep
regret that there should be found among US
those who are SO lost to self respect, as to