The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-11
American Temperance Union.

The anniversary OF tins Society was held at The
Tabernacle on Thursday evening, at 7 o'clock. A
very excellent bard was placed near the organ, and
performed during the evening several enlivening
airs, which had cheering effect
The Rev. DR.. DURvEN opened with prayer.
The Rev. Mr.. MARSH read the annual report,
giving detailed statement of the operations of the
Society all over the Union The report speaks Of
the decline Of the sales Of Albany ale and New
England cider The Indians becoming tenn
pcrance men. Members OF Congress were tempe
rance men. Ireland stood firm in her temperance ;
so did England and Scotland, Canada, the Bcrmu-
das. Sweden, German, New South Wales, Ike
Sandwich Islands, and all the isles of the Pacific
Ocean. Mozambique, and every where around the
globe.
The Rev. Dr. BACON, of New Haven, said that
Temperance was an idea that was twenty years IN
existence, and they saw that at that time they had
much TO intend with, and truth made but slow
DR. gress and they said II was truth, and that II
would soon prevail: They had seen this simple
idea in its progress from year TO year, and IN the
past they had an earnest OF what was to come.
Twenty years was but atom In the records OF
time. 1t had been objected TO by some that tenn
perance was the ancient asceticism but II did not
resemble it.. Temperance, though promulg gated by
Father Matthew in Ireland, did not bind the person
taking the pledge to become Catholic. The pro-
gress Of an idea in the world had to contend with
many difficulties This idea came out OF the bo-
som of the Church, and II could not be levelled
down Though Satan worked against it, like an UNI
merciiul devil, still temperance would prevail
The mscries that inflicted society II New York,
was mainly 10 be attributed 10 lhtemperancc.
When the wine cup would be banshed from the
table OF Louis Phillip, then il may be that the
upslart arstocracy OF New York would give
il up-then that the Pope of Rome would
wear Father Mathews Temperance medal.
(The enlightened auditory received these witty re-
marks, with tremendous appause) lie sat at one
time al a dinner table where wine was served up
AT the request OF gentleman II was objected TO,
and the gentleman remarked II was no sin to Use
any deadly thing This was an idea, and II was nm
idea that discovered America steam navigation
had brought Europe and America within a fortnight
travel OF each other. The beauty and picturesque
ness OF the New England States-the beautiful tes-
tConing on the wlndows-the gardens, the helds,
the strawberries, all were more beautfn-thc very
grass grew greener than II did twenty years ago.
We say that there is a saving IN the wealth mat
used TO go to the bottom OF the deep by inc care
lessnese OF drunken seamen. We say That u mas
given increased moral dignity TO the people: % this
we have now a signal illustration. Ireland VINO
is her libera,or, When she has escaped IRON her
six centuries OF thradom, who Will be acknowledg,
ed as her lberator7 Who believes that O'Connell
with all his miraculous powers could have led the
people along had hot Father Mathew gone before
Would thew not byt for him, have been under the
power Of British soldery we see 10 that an nus
tration Of the moral power which this principle
gives TO n nation. people so possessed OF self
Government as to abstan from intoxicating drinks
cannot long be in political slavery. Let us look
forward 10 the day when this just principle shall
| prevail universally. When the universal practc,
| of this community, all others, shall conform {,
the christian law of love which is the basis Of th,
great movement. When the sons of New England
shall commemorate that bleak and wintry day
when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Il ock; anc
think that they can but pledge their memory II
| the drink OF the PiIgrims--the pure water from
| the spring. Nppeuse) When you shall sec ne