Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-02-15

pledge themselves to the world and one an
other to abstain totally from the useof vlnous,
spirituous or maltlquors, except as amedicihe
in case Of illness, or on ysacramental OCCASIONS
30 long as they continue to be members OF TINS
society" TheyTecommend the establishment
of affiliated societies throughout tile State
Mr.. Volney F. Howard has been selected 70
deliver an address on the subject OF temper
ance at the Hext meeting OF the soctetM :,
Some of the most distinguished citizens o.
our State are members If It. among them, are
JudgeWm. l. SharkeH President OF The socle-
ty, T. NJ. Tucker, 7. Jones Stewart Schn y
Guiou, Alexander K. McClung, Vice Presl.
dents, Prior Lea, Secretary, Mr.. Chltonf (of
vicksburg, Judge Hughs, &c.
The stand. which these gentlemen have Ia
/ ken for the promotion of Temperament Is TO be
hoped, will have most salutary innuence
throughoutthe State in lessening avIce,whose
melancholy effects we'may daily witness IN
every circle ofsociety. There are few COM
muni6es, where. the demon of lntewperahce
has rioted with more lamentable consequences.
than in Mississippi, and we areshighly pleased
that this opposition to its destructive progress
comes fromthe quarter it does. khe example
of these gentlemen, openly assoclatIng them
selves into society, for the promotion OF tenn
perance, will have much greater influence to-
wards the accomplishment of the object, than a
convention of.DiYmes and volume ofsermons.
w e hope that society of similar character
will be gotten up here; let the movement come
from the proper direction, let fanatics IN reil-
gion and pretenders to morality have nothing
to do with it, and there will be no difficulty
about if. at +.
IL. u. I,ssa faeasa
amble, which was offered by Mr., Chiffon and
adopted by '''THE STATE TEMPERANCE. SocrE-
TY."
!, THE insidsoss Sutdemoraiising and destruc-
tive havoc OF intemperance, in an age Charac-
tcrised BY the most singular ACHIEVEMENTS of
humanintellect inI advancing and disseminating
the genuine blessings of.science and civihza-
ton, is a matter of surprise and regret with
the true philanthropist, while, atthe same time
it affords the most deplorable evidence that the
cultivation of mind alone is not the most effec-
lual safeguard against the growth of immoral
ity.and vice. On the Contrary, it is believed
thai in too many instances, lntemperance may
be found among men of eminent attainments,
and occupying stations Of dignity and honor.
whose examples have exerted an unhappy in
fuence over The morals Of their associates and
admirers, the evil effects Ofwhich live and null
tIply, long after their virtues have ceased to
be remembered. !. Men accustomed to viewthe
most dissolute habits in connection with the
most attractive qualities of The heart and COM
handing faculties of the mind,begin not onlyto
lose the. natural. repugnance which uncorrup-
ted minds entertain for every species of vice,
Blu: at length begin to think certain vices to be
as inseparable from genius, as spots are from
the sun. Neitheris thisinfuence confined to
the great and conspicuous luminaries that shed
their baetul light through the world, but infe-
Ejor consultations operating within their more
limited spheres, even down 10 The most cir
cumscri6ed' orbit of thcImoral universe, multi
ply and argument the sources of Intemper-
ancA Unlike other vices, this attacks the
most amiabe feelings OF our natlIre-1t comes
in the alluring shape Of friendship, presents
the goblet, sparking-with Joy, and the bowl
wreathed with garlands of beauty; and by first
captivating the senses, succeeds the more easi-
ly in dethroning The reason OF its votaries.-
We yield to the transporting delusion, unsus-
pcious Of the decay ofthose physical and NOR
al energies, by which the resolution of every
man is sustained, .untilthe. power of resistance
is lost, and the unhappy victim seeks in sui
eide or the oblivion of a besotted mind, an ig-
nOmniOus escape from the tOrmehts Of his re.
morse,
Impressed with the necessity of expelling
sIHtemperance from the land, and knowing the
power of associatedexample in moulding and
reforming public sentiments, and ameliorating
the condition of society, the undersigned have
assembled in the Capitol Of the State for the
purpose organizing State Temperance Soci-
ETY., and of forming Constitution for the reg
ulation OfOnr conduct, andthe prevention ofthe
future growth of lntemnerance!"