The Washingtonian., 1845-08-23
For the Washingtonian.
RADICAL AND COMMON ERROR OF
TEMPERANCE MEN.
WlsuINGToN Aup % 1845
WASHINGTON, Aug. %, 1845.


WASHINGTON, Aug. %, 1S45.
MEssRs EDITORS: To the philanthropist
and christian, it is fertile source of happiness
to contemplate the progress of the Temperance
cause since its origin, but more particularly
since the adoption of the Total Abstinence
pledge. During the past ten years, thousands
have been redeemed from the thraldom Of
drunkenness, and the hearts of as many wives,
sons, and daughters, made to rejoice at the re-
suit. But the great benefit arising from its
progress is not yet seen; it lies in the future.
GAS the twig is bent the trees inclined;" SO
will it be with the rising generation. They
will have taken passage on the Temperance
car, which will convey them from that vortex
into which so many thousands OF past genera
tions have fallen.
But, to the "Radical and common error Of
Temperance men," which is to be found in
their practice VS.. their profession.
Every person taking the teetotal pledge,
binds himself neither to use intoxicating
drinks, nor to traffic in them or encourage their
sale, but by all honorable means discourage
their use in others. With the responsibility
of this solemn pledge, l am at a loss to con-
ceive how man of conscience can, in the face
of it, patronize those who "traffic in them"
and yet how small portion of temperance
men have any regard to it. Go where you
will this inconsistency is prominent. Visit
Al pf trnu
when all the world are on the wing, and where
will you find clergymen and prominent tenn
perance men? At Temperance houses, (Which
are to be found of the first class in Philadel-
phia, New York, Boston, and Albany.) No.
They will generally be found at the most fash
ionable and expensive houses, where liquors
are sold at the rate of five hundred glasses per
day. So you will find it if you visit Saratoga,
and other places of resort. Allow me to ask
why is this so! Is it because they like secret
indulgence, or for want of moral courage to
identify themselves with temperance houses?
In this city we have only one Temperance
house, not surpassed by any, (kept by Mr..
Isaac Beers,) at point where people ''do
congregate" from every portion of the United
States, and yet how poorly the worthy propri-
etor has been sustained
To the credit of Washington city it may be
truly said, that there are more temperance So
cieties and members, within its limits, than
any city within my knowledge, in proportion
to the population, and yet how few there are
who are consistent in the respect referred to.
Judicious men have estimated, that at least
three-fourths of the members of the Sons of
Temperance, and other total abstinence socie-
ties, encourage "the traffic and use" Of ardent
spirits, by sustaining those stores that sell
liquor; and it is not very creditable fact, that
the clergymen Of this city, with but two ex-
ceptions that I am acquainted with, (Rev.
Messrs. J. C. Smith and Sampson commit
the same error. The gentlemen named bear
no ill.will toward those who think they are in
the path of duty while they continue in the
traffic, but they act from principle. Nor would
I recommend temperance people to withdraw
their support from those who sell liquors, with
proscriptive spirit, but to act on principle,
and the result would be, that every merchant
would be compelled, by that powerful engine,
public opinion, to abandon the trade.
once knew boy-a dear boy, who has
gone to heaven-whose example temperance
men would do well to initiate. He was sent
to a store by his mother, when about nine years
of age, for some article; when he saw the
merchant selling liquor, he turned on his heel,
and, returning to his mother, said he could not
buy any thing where liquor was sold!
This article is not written in the spirit Of
complaint, but with the view to call the atten-
tion of the temperance community to the one
great obstacle to the furtherance of the glorious
cause. There are several Temperance grocery
stores in this city, which believe are gene.
rally we'll sustained, but this furnishes no ex-
cuse for the inconsistencies of members who
prefer to deal with those who sell liquors.
One delinquency of the temperance people I
had like to have forgotten, viz: their unwil-
lingness to support " The Washingtonian."
Many, am told, whose aid has been solicited,
reply that they "cant afford it, or give some
other frivolous excuse. o, consistency!
A. B. C.
For the Washingtonan.
FACTS-NOT ROMANCE.