The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-08-05
FoR TIE BANNER
TEMPERANCE NOTIONS


this subject, when | reflect that i, is one
winch: Tor lew years back, Tin this
country,) has formed a laboring theme
for the combined talent of the present
age of enlightenment; one, to which
the morally wise of the land, the artful
IN persuasion, the influential in song.
and the mighty in mind have turned the
thundcrs OF their cloquence Could we
WELD the pen Of ArrELLEsE, or speak
with the tongue of FULLY, we might
then assume to add something new
upon so hacknicd theme. We shall
not by any means contend that the
evils Of intcmpcrance should be promo.
ted, or that this great monster of enmitv
and destruction should be permitted to
range unchecked over the peaceful do
minions ofa civilized people. But we
think there is propriety in measures
which should always be consulted. We
believe that Il greater influence can be
exerted over an enlightened people by
the gentle art OF persuasion, as u method
OF reformation, than by any resort 10
forced restrictions. The mind is the ru
ling principle by which are regulated
the thoughts and actions of man; and
by acting upon the mind convincinely,
touching the chord of refined feeling,
exciting the sympathics, or striking at
the sensibility, IS the most efectual way
to move the public. 1t is an influence
which will extend itself alike with all
ranks and classes; with the ignorant,
the learned, the wise and good, the high
and low. If in oIden time ORpr1Eus
could sing the trees to bow, and the
rocks to weep; if then; DEMosTHENEs
could chain and melt at will the Gre
clan Council what. at this age of pro-
gress and improvement, might we not
expect from the overpowering influence
of persuasive eloquencc? When we
appeal to the understanding of man, we
strike at his strongest point-one, how.
ever, which in a conflict of reason. it is
not discrcditable to yield to superior
force: When we move at the passions,
we attack linn where lie is weakest in
resistance, and where we are likely TO
meet with all easy success. In either
case, we reach him in a manner which
he is proud to recognise, by addressing
his reason and feelings-high attributes
of God; reason is his distinguishing
feature. To persuade and convince, the
most ready and eficien, mode of reach
ing it and excrhng a lasting influence.
Buff we adopt harsher means and bring
men to observe our creed, not from con-
victlon, but from necessity, we will ex-
ert an influence which will be offensive
and of short duration; an influence
similar to that exercised by the Turk
over his serf, or the master over the
slave, which will last only so long as
the power of coercion is held over them.
The present and past history of
the world declares that by the gentle
art OF persuasion, wonders may be
wrought, which would battle the success
Of any other project Do we not see by
it, hundreds and thousands deserving
the evil Of their ways, forming in one
brotherhood, and in perfect unison, stri-
king the march Of holy reformation2
And who can gainsay, but that if this
simple work were let alone, and kept
unprejud'ced by other unpopular agen-
cies, it would encircle and overcome the
depravity Of the globe
And when we find the circle of tenn
perance reform, enlarging and gaining