The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-03-01
TEMPERANCE CELEBRATION.

Agroeably TO the public spirited arrange
menis of the Young Meas Temperance Socie-
,y in this town, the birth day Of Washington
was celebrated on tie 22J ul!. more just
! and appropriate homage could rot be paid to
the men. Dry Of that great and good man, who
pledged his life, his fortune, and his sacred
honor on the ai'ar Of his country, than was Of.
fcrcd bv those who have pledged themselves TO
the promotion o. refnrm which so much en-
hanccs the value O. these earthly equipments.
The first step in lie order OF the day, was
tic formation of numb, rous procession al the
| Town-rcom, composed OF the friends OF tenn
perance, which, under the direction o! General
! Warren and Mr.. W. S. johnson. proceeded
down the turnpike, and took direction through
/ Pleasant street, 10 the Congregational C.lurcii,
where the head arrived, while the foot res. cd
at the corner, at Iohnson's. Besides The pro-
ccssion, large concourse of people thronged
! The streets and tho steps Of The Vermont Hotel.
! Ga entering the church, the pledge of The
Young Mems Temperance Society, ir large
characters, appeared high above the pulpit,
surmounted with banners, and cn:wined with
a wreath OF evergreen, emblematicaI Of The
perpetuty Of The vow; 10 this was appended
long roll reaching 10 the pulpit, upon which
was inscribed the names Of eight hundred new
recruits of every age, sex and condition. Sci
dom upon any occasion. have we seen This
spacious church so crowded with tho best of
the men, and the fairest of The women Of this
viciaity. The Middebury Band, from the gal
lerv, burst upon the audience in a strain of
harmony which would have done credit 10 far
more praclised musicians. The choir, accom-
1ap cd lx-t no .i,a,
and arches Of this spacious ediicc lis usualiyar.
tractve melodies. The address of MIR. Bureigh
was forcibIe in argument, ami rich in .usira-
tor; Astounding in lofty moral sentiments, and
now and then cleaning wilhfashes of scorching
sarcasm and indignant rebuke, against the PAN
derer of intemperance, which, had he been
present, would have Hinged the cheek OF the
most hardened rum seller, with blush Of
shame.
After the exercises 10 the church were clos
ed, respectable portion Of the audience re-
tired in procession, with the music, 10 the i'd
olson County Temperance Hotel. recently es-
tablished BY Mr.. Benz B. Brown. 1t is GER
lainly among the most gratifying signs Of the
progress of the temperance reform, that SO
promising an establishment as that of Mr.. B..
should have sprung up among US. Every one
remarked the wonderful meamorphosis. which
this former loathsome rookery of rum drinkers
had undergone within a very few weeks
Most of the rooms have been newly papered
and painted, curiained and carpeied. The
tout ensemble of the whole wore The air Of neat
ness, comfort and accommodation, which
would lead the guest 10 exclaim. emphatically,
this is indeed the travellers home, where
peace, plenty, and convenience are united.
Mine host soon spread the festive board, a.
round which. the hungry guests gathered to
satisfy their appetites upon savory oysters,
aud other rich viands. with which ii was loaded
TO excess. All were satisfied that Mr.. b.
well understood the wants Of his customers,
ard his duty as landlord, and resolved as
long as. he pefsevered in his temperance plan,
TO prefer the addison County Temperance
House. The celebration was closed by a
temperance meeting in the evening. in which
we we're told, several able addresses were
made, and mportan: resolutions adopted.
This celebration will long be distinguished
in the annals of the temperance reform in
this region. 1t was indeed glorious specta-
Gle TO behold so many of the elite Of The Co.
in mid winter, coming to claim the honor Of