Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-10-21

tan,s: the first des gned 10 unite the friends
of the temperance reform, universally, in
systematic efforts, on common platform.
against the common enemy; and the ID, de-
signed to promote union among those who
term themselves evangelical Christians,
remove separations and alterations. break
down prejudice, promote better acquan>
lance with, and sympathy for, each other,
and remove the scandals which have
arisen from unbrolherly strife among
the different portions Of the Lords sacra-
mental host" These Conventions were
we'll attended, particularly The last, over
one thousand delegates being present.
eight hundred representing different por-
tons of the British realm-and the remain
de. from Sweden, Germany. Holland, Bel
GUM. France, Switzerland, Italy, the West
Indies. Asia, Africa, and the L. States.-
Among these were many Of The most dis
tingushed Evangelical cIergymen of the
world All Protestant. denominations were
represented, except The Friends. We have
not yet seen The proceedings Of either
Of these great assemblies. The objects
sought 10 be attained are, Of course. very
but we find it impossible 10 have
much faith in movements Of this kind, as a
means of promoting re(ormalons of moral
and religious character. The great faul;
of the present age is, TO depend too much
upon great public demonstrations, through
the medium of local and general organza-
tons, and too iille upon individual effort
MdsriduaI duties ard responsibilities 10
reference TO matters Of moral and religious
moment, appear TO be lost sight OTTO be
merged in societies and churches, which are
expected 10 effect the moral Improvement
and renovation Of the world, without refer>
ence 10 indiv dual conduct and effort -
Organizations Of moral and religious
character are on y important and to be
desired as means OF inducing, on the part
Of those who come under their influence
and direction, more strict attention to
personal duties than would otherwise be
the case. If this object is not attained.
organizations of The kind alluded 10, are Of
no practical benefit, and might as well be
Out of existence. Indeed, so far as they
tend 10 weaken the sense oil mans indivdu.
al responsibility to his fellow, to society,
and to the world, they are positive erils,
and had better be out Of existence. And
that this is the tendency of a great portion,
if not majority, Of them, the present con-
dtion Of the void affords no slight proof
Were this not the tendency, we should wit
ness. what has never, as general fact,
YET been witnessed; namely, decrease Of
human misery, and an increase of human
happiness, in a ratio somewhat proportion
ed to the increase of moral and religious
We should not, at least,
witness the rcrfrSe Of III s. The great de-
ficiency has been, and is, the want of
proper sense, as before stated, Of iRdiUidual
respons: billy. The might of individ ia
virtue surpasses all other powers. The
multiplication Of individuals of true force
and dignity of mind and character, acting
up 10 the requirements of duty. would be
the surest of all omens of the moral and re-
lgious improvement Of all classes Of men,
and all conditions Of society. And in the
absence Of these, temperance societies, and
churches, and worlds temperance Conven-
tions, and Evangelical alliances, ct id genus
Omne, will amount 20 but little in the line OF
any practical good.
THE CoNvENrIoN.-We publish tbi
week an abstract of the dojngs of the Con
vention. as late as we have received them
in detail, and design 10 continue it during
the session. We have some later news
than will be found in our abstract, through
the medium of The Milwaukee Sentinel
Mr.. Ryan's report, amended by Mr.. Baker
By striking out the penal clause and making
it imperative on the Legislature 10 impose
heavy penalties, was adopted in committee
OF the whole. Efforts were made in Com
venton 10 restore the original feature of
the report, but were unsuccessful. MIR.
Ryan offered in convention proposition
prohibiting The circulation of foreign bank
paper Of less denomination than $40 after
the year lS47, and less than $50, after
lS49, which was adopted Mr.. Beall, of
Marquette, offered substitute for the
whole matter before the Convention: Gan
article prohibiting the chartering Of any
bank, but allowing the Legislature TO pass
general free banking law, to be submitted
to The people after having been published in