The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-18

by the regular mail at an early hour this morning.
II not, we shall probably hear OF her sometime
TO-DAY by government express, which is to come
through in eight hours from Boston.
The Temperance Movement-How can 1t he
made more infiuentiais
Amongst the great moral and social movements
Of the time in which we live, the Temperance
Reiormaton-asi il has not unworthily been calico
lis one of the most important and gratifying 10
the intelligent benevoence OF our own beloved
country, belongs the honor OF originating TINS
mighty movement, and thus, as IN the sacred
cause OF political liberty, christian America mas
given an impetus to the grand work OF moral tree
dom aud mans regeneration, which has been felt
TO the uttermost ends OF the earth.
We have been no Indifferent spectators Of the
progress OF this work. Whilst we have not failed
10 expose and rebuke the ex,ravagances and ultra
isms which have occasionally marred the beauty
AMI success ot The move ment, we have uniformly,
with the utmost goodwill, recorded the triumphs
cad blessings which have marked its progress
Aud certainly no intelligent observer OF the times,
can have tailed to notice the magnitude of the
happy results which have been produced by this
Temperance Reformation. Before the sermons Of
the venerable DR.. Beechsr aroused the whole
christian community TO sense OF the awful ra-
wages OF intemperance, and the duty OF uniting IN
energetic effort against II, drunkenness was, IN
deed, among the very cheiest OF the national sins.
Dram drinking was universal Amongst all classes
Intoxicating liquors were used an ordinary be-
verage. Wherever you went, the brandy-bottle
was in requsition. At the sdeboards of the
affluent-at the tables of the farmers-in the scan.
~ cupboards Of poor mechancs-at the bars OF
steamboats-in city. town and hamlet, every
where, at home and abroad, you found in all
dwellings the intoxicating cup On all occasions
OF social enjoyment-at weddings and chrsten-
ings, and harve St homes and mery-makings-the
maddening wine cup was commended to the lips
of the guests, and young and old drank long and
deep The fruit of this social custom was also
seen everywhere, in the wreck Of fortune, intel
lect, fame, hope, happiness and life. II seemed as
il whole nation had been bound hand and foot,
and delivered up the will of the most potent de-
stroyer Of the souls and bodies OF mankind.
Such was the crisis at which Temperance Socle-
ties were organized. The happy results Of that
simple but sublime agency were exhibited over the
whole land in an incredibly brief period Of time.
From thousands of happy hsmes the wine-cup was
banished for ever-multitudes who were fast hast
ening to the doom OF the drunkard were restored
to themselves and to society-and the practice Of
dram-drnking was branded with a disgrace and
infamy which never can be obliterated. The ruin
GUS social habits which had formerly, under the
mask OF good.fellowship, hurried thousands and
tens Of thousands to rreparable uin are no longer
respectable; and we are now presented with the
glorious spectacle OF the great mass Of the inhuen-
tal, intelligent, and vrtuous men of this nation,
united in one grand, harmonious and powerful
body, for the purpose Of preventing the rdvages Of
intemperance. We believe that in the history Of
associated effort. cannot find any parallel to
this case, in numbers, magnitude ard moral infu-
ence. The temperance body mas certainly grown
up into an immense, widespread and powerful
organization. The "Rechabites'' Sons of Tenn.
perance"-" United Brothers, and kindred asso-
Citations, are in numbers and influence immeasur-
ably superior TO any organization, political or
otherwise, at present in existence in the United
States.
But numerous and Influential as is this organiza-
ton. and much as it has already fife cred there
Still remain vast helds tor It's moral enh rprse yet
unvisted, and IN many quarters already occupied,
unhappily all has not been done that might reesoL-
ably have been expected. What have been some
of the causes which have operated against the full
success o. the temperance movement? Foremost
amongst them has been the creation Of many asso-
Citations not under the best auspices, and not con-
Quoted in the best spirit There have be- n too
many subdivisions OF the /" cold water army" and
often these Isolated movements have been nlarke
by exiravagances and improprleiles, which have
repulseu rather than attracted many good men who
would otherwise have participated in the good
work, The relation of experiences" as they are
called, has occasionally been carried 10 an impro.
81. = -.
often poured out by temperance orators against the
vende rs vi ardent spirits and moderate drinkers,
has had a very injurious efieci. In the cause OF
benevolence and moral reform, great prudence,
wisdom, and discretion are always necessary
Prejudlces not best overcome by violence. The
of temperance itself may be advocated in
very Incorporate manner. Just as With pure and
indebted religion itself, genuine and intelligent,
morality seeks its tru,nphs by giving offence TO no
mainly midness-by aTgument-by the exercise
oil charity and forbearance. There is nothing to
be gained in this cause by invective-by vitupera-
ton by abuse. Al all temperance meetings, great
good order, great temperance of manner, great
discretion, should be manifested by the orators and
officers.
Now, how is this movement to be managed in
order to insure this decorum, sobriety and re-
spectablllty at all the meetings! We think that
Temperance Union" Of all the leading and infu
entail men connected with the movement should
be formed. Let there be sort of Executive Com.
mittee formed for each of the large cities and also
tor the States, and let the various societies be
placed under the general supervision Of this body
Let the clergy come forward and take an active
part in the formation of this general managing
body. We have often been surprised at the lndlt
ference manifested by the clergy OF this city in this
great moral movement II is time for them to
shake of this suplneness. Let them, as the
thorised guardians of public morality, come Tor
ward. anu be longer unfaithiul TO their trust in
this matter. Why should there not be publ,
meetiDg al once called in this civ for The purpose