The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-06-18
JAY MORNING, JUNE 1S, 1916.
IL H E N E w E r. A
GRAFTON
us GRAFTON
Detosred by PHILIP S. WHITE, If Pennsylpn-
mia. M. w. IT,, before the National Dipision
Of Sons Of Temperance, at .Ns,c York, June

Of Sons Of Temperance, at .Nso York. June
8, 1916.
(Concudcd.y
The Temperance enterprise was commenced
properly, not by College. Church or State, but
where all moral movements commence-by the
voice of the common people. Or. Billy T. Clark
and few unpretendng moral men at the little
town of Moreau. N. Y. in 1908, and there. to the
credit of our country be it spoken, organized the
first Temperance Society based upon pledge and
carried out by voluntary association of which we
have any knowledge The constitutional re :
qnIrements at this organizaion surrounded as it
was by every kind of opposition. and being the
hrs effort IN this great work Of social Moderation
were. as might have been expected, too indefinite
to effect permanent reformation. II continued
however, multiplying its forces slowly until
1853, when, profiing by experience. it hoisted
the flag of Total Abstinence. This signal, so far
from alarming the enemy, excited his ridlcule-
1t was branded with fanalicism, bigotry and in
tolerance. What, abstain entirely from that
"good creature uf God 2" The idea seemed
preposerous. Still the work went bravely on
In lS4O another force was brought into the field
under the same banner. .,hough somew hat OF
different character. II was the Washingtonian
movement Deriving lis name from the revered
Father of his Country and partakng in some
degree OF his spirit, 1t rushed to the rescue with
oou hoHt lIedU. ne IfnlQ were
assured by il, the doubtful made confident, the
wounded in spirit healed. the imprisoned set free,
the dying restored tn life and health For men
came up. as from the grave, to herald its redeem
ing influence. These men were deserters from
The very heart Of the enemy. They knew his
mode of warfare and were the best qualified To
resist his attacks. But something was wanting
tn make even this force nore effective They
had courage but wanted that better part of valor
discretion. They had the will but could not
agree as TO The means They had strength but
wanted concentration. They were the raw mill
Tia fighting without rule. and frequently for as
well as against the enemy. This they soon per-
ceived and resolved to change their mode of war
fare
Accordingly. on the 29ih Sept 1912. sixteen
tired veterans met al - head quarters and de-
clded upon systematic plan of operation The
naodns oPerandi was published. and the forces
began to De marshaled into regular troops They
SION equipped accoTdng 10 law and commenc.
ed their beautiful drill. Every private became
voluntarily recruiting officer. State after State
adopted their superior tactics. Subordinate gave
rise to Grand Divisions, until National head.
composed OF grand officers from all parts of the
UnIon, completed the organization. Thus armed
and marshaled, this regular army marched to The
battle field. under the banner of the RED, WHITE
and BLUE. directed by Heaven, and favurabIy
known as The ORDER OF THE Sons OF TEN
PERANCE.
The last, and, in our judgment, best of the
moral movements OF the age, seems admirably
adapted To meet and conquer that greatest enemy
OF God and neutrality-suspicious.. The pecuniary
benefits conferred by this order afford security
against that humIia,ing dependence which too
often follows disease and disabilities Though
they make not the motive better, the thought
PuTer, uor the heart warmer they bind the
brotherhood with additional ties, by multiplying
inducements To adhere to the pledge. The week
iy stated meetings at which the solemn obligation
OF the members is renewed, accompanied. in most
instances. ny the services of chaplain regardless
OF his creed. tend, not only TO habiluate the mind
to elevated thought, but to strengthen and chasen
the sense of duty which first induced the taking
of the pledge. The endesrng title of .BRorH-
Err, which, must ever be used in these meet
ings harmonlzes The different feelings, abates the
preludces and strengthens the sken cord of
affection which kntS mp the members into com
mon brotherhood. That sense of natural Justice.
ever eager TO prevent one of the fraternity from
becoming the wrongful recipient Of benefits de-
signed Tor another, supported by the obligation
winch deVolves upon every member TO inform the
DIVISION OF any derelIctlon of duty, and the fear
of expulsion on the part of the accused with the
publicity consequent upon such information, ex-
cite. in the Suns of Temperance, not only salu
tary vigilance over the conduct Of its members.
but impose restraining influence on the morbid
requirements and natural depravity inseparabIe
from all human organizations
These, with many other interesting features in
It's character, give to the Order vast superiority
over all other moral enterprises Of the age
Other beneficial orders are less meritorious. be-
cause the aim is less noble Other Benevolent
Associations are less binding and harmonious. be-
cause less beneficial. All others are less beauti-
lul and easy in their operations, because less
meIhOdical and grand
The Washinglonan movement burst upon the
world with resplendent lustre, dispensing the
bright beams Of joyous hopes, and is still emitting
lis purifying rays upon the moral night of IN.
hallowed indulgence but this glorious Order.
Like another morn risen on midnoon,'' softens
the retulgence, while it perpetuates, tempers, and
directs lis power. The old Society moves only
ny the spirit Of exciemenl--its natal air-its
vial breath. Popular defamation has been the
battery which has at times reused il to Curious
action and astounding results but, like most bat
ierles, the application must continue or the effec,
ceases There must be gsvanism-life-moral
PrlncIple-ma,ured lotion in the material
operated upon, or these preternatnral efforts will
sink TO their wonted level. The enlistment Of
sympathy instead of reason and the want of moral
principle, method and dignity in the old orpani