The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-05-05
FOR THE JOURNAL.
HE TEMPERANCE MEETING.

Mr.. Editor: Seeing the temperance
Meeting advertised in your paper week
ago, I thought I would 60 and see what
they did, and hear what they had to say.
So, on the appointed evening, made
my way to the appointed place. and found
a respectable number of ladies and gen.
tlemen had collected together.-And if
you think the following sketch Of this
meeting would be at all interesting to your
readers, you are at liberty to publish it.
The President Of the Society took the
Chair at 6 o'clock, and had the meeting
opened with prayer. He then stated, the
object of the meeting was, not so much to
bring any special business before them, as
10 excite an interest in the Temperance
cause; he wished merely to agitate the
question, and keep it prominently before
the public-which he confessed had not
been attended 10 Of late as should have
been. Formerly. when this was DONE
Temperance was the common ireside talk
in almost every family. and grng-shops
had to suspend for want Of customers;
hut now these sinks of wickedness were
increasing, and intemperance gaining
strength. He asked whether any gentle.
man present had anything 10 offer for the
consideration Of the meeling,-and took
his seat.
Upon which gentleman arose and offrr'
ed the following resolution, as near as we
remember:
"Rcsolued, That in view Of the many
evils Of in,emperance, we do unite our IN.
fluence and discourage the use OF ardent
spiri,s as a beverage;" which resolution
he sustained by few appropriate remarks
He said he had been appointed to procure
sneakers for the occasion, but had only
soften some partial promises-he hoped
some of them might be in attendance, anu
Give us their aid; but in the mean time he,
tbouob unaccuslomed 70 public speaking,
wished to saw a few things. He noticed
same of the erls of iniemperance, as at
fecting personal, social and public haPpl,
ness: asked whence come the inmates OF
our iails and asylums! what makes our
paupers! and answered by referring It all
10 strong drink. He wished the vast a.
mount Of money expended for alcoholic
LIQUORS, could he spent COR educational
nnrooses. He also spoke of the increase
Of grog. shops and drinking among US; and
invited the young men to become men,
bers..
When he had taken his seat. another
gentleman arose TO second The resolution,
and remarked he was not prepared to
make speech, but his feeling constrained
him to say something. He did not expect
TO excite peoples feelings. but wished to
appeai TO their Judgments by facts occur.
ring every day around US. tie related
several instances with which he was ac-
ousin,e;l. A man of great wealth let
grog-shop man have 10 acres Of land, and
in short time he spread out his title over
all the old mans land to pay his grog bill;
and what was worse, the old man and all
his sons died d,unkards. Again, the un.
fortunate Pickett, who was raised with his
children, and had pious mother, has ruin
ed himself forever BY means of strong
drink. Bu, he was glad to find an i'm
movement in travelling over the country.
The practice Of treating friends was gem
erally abandoned-decanters were empty,
or else they locked the thing up He
hoped all would bring their eloqnence,
their talent, If but one, and use it in favor
of so good cause.
Anaged gentleman next arose, and said'
he was temperance boy, and temper
anee man. lie became Disguised with
drunkenness by seeing three drunken men
living in the '.iam" ofthe fence; he ,ho't i'll
there were hogs about there that would eat
off people's noses, they were in danger of
losing their noses and ears 800. He had
seen great deal of evil occasioned by
drinking, and was for that resolutions 60.
ING into full force.
The next said, he was not in the habit
Of speaking in these or any other public
meetings; but he was favorable to the
Temperance cause aud would 60 for the
resolution, for several reasons. He had
seen much evil from intemperancc even in
Camden-was walking back street one
night and stumbled over drunken man,
who has since filed drunkard's grave
We do not expect, said he. to- reclaim
drunkards-this can only be done hy On
nipo,cnce; but Nc wish 10 prevent the
Young from becoming tirunkards. Many,
with strong resolutions against it. have be.
come so; and he wished them to join The
society, thai they might not follow their
steps.
When he had done the last arose and
iii be did wish he had speech, for IL