Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-12-09
For tho Herald Of the Times.
RANCE MOVEMENTS.

Mn. ATHissos This all engrossing sub.
jcct for the last few days loses no part of its
interest, and hereafter it will not do to say that
the people of this ancient Town cannot be ex.
cited. No benevolent operation has hitherto
been more opposed by this community than
the temperance reform. 1t was not SO cen.
surcd because we did not see the evils of in.
temperance, but because we doubted its practi.
cabIlity-wo doubted whether the victim OF
alcohol could be prevailed upon to give up HE
beverage and become "a citizen, "a husband and
n father. We had been told Of the wonderful
success Of the "Washingtonians" in various
parts Of our country, IN returning the incbr
ate Of twenty forty and even sixty years stand
ing; but, we believed as little in It's virtue, il
applied to the inebrialcs of this place, as the
ancients did, when Noah by command Of his
God, prepared the Ark, and warned his bretb
Tcn OF their impending destruction. But we
no longer doubt. The evidence before us, that
no man has fallen too low to be reclaimed, il
as clear the noon day sun, for il is almost
certain, If the incbriate can be induced, no,
only To sign the pledge to abstain from all in
torieating drinks, but to stand up in the midst
Of hundreds, aud relate the history Of his dis
grace aud suffering; and, with tears and en-.
treaties, warn his former associates Of their
danger aud invite ,hem to return, he can also
keep his pledge, and remain sober man. Nor
is the secret Of this wonderful success So strange
after all The fact is the unfortunate lover OF
alcohol, has heretofore been an outcast, from
the very commencement Of his fall. True the
aicctionate wife, the tender parent and the
sincere friend, have raised their warning voices
aud begged aud urged him to return, but what
are these, when, in addition to his craving ap-
petite, all the rest Of the world has abandoned
him to his fate, and he is denied both its friend
ul,i h.u ku, -, al J., a
his bottle companions, can such man feel that
he is equal With such conduct towards him,
ii requires indeed n miracle to restore him
but, with tho aid of the Washngtonian sys-
TEN, which s,oops into the gutter, or wherever
the incbriate ~ iodnd, and gives him the evi-
dencc, that he not only is n man, but is loved
by man-that good men feel deep interest IN
his return 10 virtue and useiu lness, and ar.
praying to God To quench his unholy thirst
to strengthen his desires for reformation, and
convert his soul, that lac may persovore in th,
paths of sobricty only make the unfortunat,
man feel this, and his reclaim is almost certain,
as can bo tested by thousands Of happy men,
restored TO their families, to society, and TO use.
fulness. Another feature in the Washingto.
nian sytem OF operations, is no less productive
Of good; il is kindness aud forbearance oi
manner, towards the distilcr, and tho ycnde
Of alcohol-no revilings, no ansihemas, no
threatnings but The language of love aud en-.
treaty are the only weapons of their warfare
Tho ,cndsr Of this poison, is not necessarily
an enemy in feeling TO his race, many Of them
possess the finest feelings Of humanity, and
only need conviction TO give up their business
II is not strange they are so slow to feel their
interest, their prcjndces, and their customers,
arc all helping to quiet their conscionces aud
darken their visions But truth is mighty, and
ii pW prepaii, and we doubt the day ls not dis
,ant, when more will bc l.it to plead ignorance,
much less 10 defend business, 40 directly op
posed to every feeling Of benovolonco and vir
tue.
We feel as IL we had already respa.ssd too
long upon your patience, but permit ns to add
for the information Of your numerous readers,
that at the close OF the meeting last Munda,
evening, mors than TwgLvI IIuspRrp hnd
signed tho pledge. The house wa. crowded
IN every part. galleries, aisIes aud entries, and
many unable to hnd admission, were com
PEELED to 90 home. We understand our friend,
Flctbcr and Miller will he here for the last
time on rhis Thursday evening, a, the v,,tr,
Of the first Dsbiist Church. They arc siill III,
nn'iring messengers OF mercy 80 i'eir rCrr.,
80, snd uniorGnsio bro'hron n.