Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-04
For the Spectator.
4 + nj p + X A N & E.

lie NJ Il T. X N CE.
Mr.. EDITOR Enclosed you will find an adj
dress delivered to the Ladies' Of the Mt. Tabor
Temperance Society, by Mr.. VIM. BEARD. on the
22nd ultimo. II was delivered in manner
highly interesting to his audience, and with much
honor to himself Being much pleased with the
address, and believing it might be the means of
urging the Ladies again TO use their influence in
favor of Temperance, a copy was requested for
publication. T.. MILLER.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN,-Effort after effort has been
made through the newspapers as well as by the
public lecturer, to excite an interest i'm the minds
OF the people on the subject of Temperance
But those efforts seem to have been made i'm van
The people appear to be dead to this subject, and
all endeavors to arouse them are iueffectual.-
we, with some Others, who still feel for the poor
deluded drunkard and the many youths who are
still tampering with the inebratng bowl, would
be much pleased 1t the people could again be
brought to act in behalf of Temperance. But
the question is, how shall this be brought about
AS appeals made to the people generally prove
Intellectual, we have thought perhaps an appeal
made directly to the ladies would have the desired
effect. Therefore, we have concluded to address
the few remarks which we have to make this
evening to them, to stir up their pure minds by
way Of remembrance.
We know that the ladies are always willing to
act when good can be accomplished they
are willing to lend their influence when the in
terest OF man requires it-that they are willing
to employ all the energies of soul and body, il
suffering humanity needs their eXertions and
we know too that the ladies (ike truih) are pow
eriul and must prevail-that what they undertake
will prosper.
1t Will be remembered that at the time the
temperance cause was most successful, then were
the ladies' the most active. 1t was then that al
most every lady had temperance pledge; and
when they came into the society of gentlemen
twas presented. Few could resist the appeal
Wont you sign your name to my pledge 2"-
These words were spoken so kindly and affec-
tonaely as almost always to have the desired
elect. Who indeed could resist such an appeal
coming from such a source? None but the man
who has done violence to his feelings and des-
troyed the more noble principles of his SOUL
Then, too, the ladies' discountenanced the use of
liquor. They let him who used this poisonous
huld In their presence know that they felt not
only themselves offended, but that they felt anx-
ious that he, for his own good, would abandon
the use of liquor. This interest and zeal we
would like to see exhibited again, for we must
say (though we do not like to do it) that even
The ladies have become cold in this good cause
SO much SO that have not seen pledge i'm the
hands OF lady for the last six months. Why
this change! Have the ladies despaired of gain
Ing their end! o, certainly not. Surely they
have not forgotten that the ladies' once saved
Rome from the plunderng hand of the unfeeling
solder, and that they once proclaimed peace upon
the field OF battle with voice that was heard
and immediately obeyed. And will not the la
dies oil Augusta reach forth their hands and save
the declining interest of cause every way wor-
thy OF their support? They will, | know they
VIII. The patriotic blood that flowed in the
veins OF Mrs. Richard Shubrck of re, still
nows In It's primeyal purity, in the veins Of the
ladies OF AS. Why then has their zeal on the
subject OF temperance abatedl This question
we are not prepared TO answer; but are led to
believe that 1t Is because they are not aware of
the extent of the evil of intemperance. The
sphere In which the ladies move is more limited
Than that of the gentlemen. They are not call
ed to mingle with excited politicians or 10 par,i.
clpate In the animated discussions which are car
rled on in our Courthouse and other places of
public resort. Business does not call them into
the different parts of the county to mingle with
all classes of citizens, TO see what is carried on
In the Dar-room, 10 hear the midnight revelry-l
Hence they are Ignorant of the extent of the
evil. They are not aware that hundreds of the
people OF this county are blinded devotees, who
worship at the shrine Of Bacchus. They are not
aware of the corrupt and fiendish conduct of
Va t"O SUNS VI AUGUSTA, OF we KNOW the
tender sensibililes of their souls would be a.
roused-their hearts would be stirred within
them, and tears of sorrow would flow over the
ruined condition of many of the youths of this
county. Believing this to be the case, allow us
to say TO you, ladies', that intemperance does in.
deed exist TO fearful extent in our midst-that
instead of the evil decreasing it is daily increas-
Ing, and that nothing but your kindly aid can
save hundreds of our citizens from sinking with
a drunkard's disgrace into druukard's premature
grave and hell. Do you ask what you can do ?
we answer you have powerful influence
Exert it in favor of temperance Discoun,enance
the use OF liquor on all occasions and under all
circumstances. Hunt up your long neglected
temperance pledges; carry them with you pre-
sent them and solicit signers. Let him who is
accustomed to become little tipsy occasionally,
know that he cannot enjoy your company. Let
the dram-drinker know that to secure your res
pect and confidence, he must forsale the inebriat-
ing bowl. DO this, and we predict change