The Washingtonian., 1845-08-23

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"WELL ENOUGH FOR THE VULGAR" !"
Those who have read Sargents Temper
ance Tales, will recognize the above as the
language of Mrs. Broughton, who carried
her opposition to temperance societies to ex-
tremes, although she admitted that they were
"well enough for the vulgar; and when her
only son had become, under her baneful infiu-
ence, beastly drunkard, her anxiety for him
was lost in the fear that Mr.. Broughton might,
as consequence, be induced to join tenn
perance society, by which they would lose
caste. In the progress of things, change
has come over the state Of society; and now
Mrs. B. would find it necessary, if she would
be really genteel and respectable, TO identify
herself with the cause to which she was so
much opposed. While we have cause for
graduation at this change, we have to mourn
that there are many whose example ought to
be exhibited on the side Of every good word
and work, but whose influence is deleterious;
not because they have objections to the cause
in ITSELF but because they are controlled by
such feelings as influenced Mrs. Broughton.
They feel that for them to sign the pledge
would be acknowledging that it was necessary
for their safety, forgetting that they owe some
thing to the community in which they live,
and that they are required to mortify their
pride tor the sake of those who are not blessed
with the same moral firmness The erroneous
idea that the lover Of wine can continue to in
dulge in it, however, pure, with impunity, is
fast disappearing; but those who will even
indulge in its use moderately, or in anything
else that can intoxicate, bids that defiance to
public opinion which no one will venture to
do, having reputation to lose; for he that
is reckless to the opinions Of the virtuous and
the good, must be very far gone. What lady
would hazard uniting her fortunes with such
a young man? The responsibility of the ladies
is very great at the present day. They more
than the other sex give tone to society. On
their devoted heads is visited to great extent
the curses of intemperance To them it pecu-
liarly belongs to speed on, by their influence,
the car which is now moving onward so ma
jestically; but, alas! there are 100 many Mrs.
Broughton's, who stand aloof and virtually
adopt her language, that it is "well enough
for the vulgar" They plead that they must
still give it to their friends Cases are not
uncommon where reformed inebriates have
been induced by the persuasive eloquence of
a lady, to put the chalice to their lips, and
whose course was speedily downward to the
drunkard's grave. An instance might be men
toned, which occurred in this city not long
since, but we forbear. Let the ladies of the
present day beware how they triae with the
souls Of men, and with the happiness of fathers
and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and
daughters. ... 49,.
Our public men, too, have great RESPONSE
bility resting on them, touching this subject;
and 1t is with pleasure we record the fact that
many Of the rulers in our land are with us
Hcdlt dlu uduu. Dul we nave W regret ludt
there are prominent exceptions, and that in
temperance stalks abroad and in high places.
1t is not long since half dozen baskets of
champagne, or some other pain, was deposited
at the door of one Of the Secretaries, in sight
of many government officers. Does the Secre-
tary know that some one or more might not
have been injured by the exhibition; but what
does that matter? "Tarry long at the wine"
he will, without regard to consequences; and
if admonished on the subject, he will in SUBJ
stance reply, temperance is "well enough for
the vulgar" TO such we would say, the time
will come, and surely come, when you will
have to render an account for all these things.
THE TOTAL ABSTINENCE CAUSE.
Those who examine the Temperance do
ings," under our Local head, will perceive that
the Total Abstinence cause was never in
more prosperous condition than at present.
For the last three months meetings have been
held on Sundays, and every night in the week,
at some point or other in the District, out
doors, when the weather would permit; and
it seems that the workmen in this cause have