Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-08-18
AN ADDRESS.

(sAoE StoH', L. n tiAI1f A-s'i'
AN ADDRESS,
Delivered before DodeeriHe Dirision No.
s. Sons of Temperance, at their First
Anniversary Celebration, held on the
22d day of July, le4s.
BY J. P. LANCASTER, ESQ,
LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND WORTHY
BRETHREN
1t is with pleasure, not unmiXed with
a degree Of trepidation, that | appear be-
fore YOU to day. A day which | trust,
will long be remembered by the citizens
of Dodgevlle and vicinity. It is but
eighteen days since we met IN this beau
tiful grove TO celebrate the anniversary
of the Declaration of our National indie
penJence. Many of you, doubtless re-
member with what exquisite pleasure you
then listened TO the reading of that Dec
laratIon.
We meet to day, fellow citizens, to Gel
citrate the anniversary of the Declaration
of the moral Independence of Dodgevile
Division No. 8, Sons of temperance
Just one year ago, upon the evening OF
this dav, a few individuals met in this
place, at the house of brother Thomas
Jenkins, and having obt aimed charter,
they opened a Division of the Sons, at
which time they signed declaration and
pledge; declaring that they were, and o /
right ought to be, free from the domin-
ION and calling yoke of his sable Majesty.
King ALCOHOL; and for the mainten-
of hat Ia nj &c
princlples-the benign principles of the
order, they pledged TO each other their
sacred honor. The Division opened with
egnt members, and now numbers forty-
two. Our progress has been rather tardv
in tins place until within a short time
past, owing to hindrauces beyond the
power OF the Division TO control these
difficulties, | am happy to say, are now
removed, and we hope to advance more
rapidly. But objections are frequently
raised to our Order by very honest per-
sons. To such we would address our
selves in all candor, and if possible re-
move their difficulties, brush off their pre-
JUDGES, and enlist them In the service.
There is class of directors and petty
qaihblers who, from interest, or other
less excusable motives, are profuse in their
complaints or rather charges against us
ard all Secret Societies Such spirits
seem 10 imagine that unless thew can o.
yerurn us, we viii overturn the Govern
mcnt, or do some other mischief. But as
We know there IS no danger Of the latter,
and entertain but little fear of the hap
pcnng of the former event. we shall suf-
fer them 10 pass for the present without
further notice.
There are some objections, however,
which are no doubt made In all sincerity.
and however trivial and light they may
appear 10 one acquainted with the internal
anu Salutary effects of those societies.
~ Tor the sake of the oblector and the
inioFmltion Of all who deslre IT. we will
Stale some of the most potent, and give
mem a candid hearing and a fair eNami-
nation, The first TO which | shall invite
! attention is probably alone applicable to
Ie Order which | stand up before YOU 10
represent, and relates 10 the Youthful
ness 81 the Institution. We are asked
j ana mat with an air of triumph, why. if
. ,le,e i anything good and valuable in the
81 - NsA> htA ui>CpNGttu DtAOIt--
] "" did not our fathers or grand fathers
4 ''s0o'er the great benefits that might "a
4 '>g tom such an organization
II would be n sufficient answer 10 this
q e9eeNon 10 ask the oblector why it is
q ~ 10 important institution has ever n.
S,ace the beginning of time, that did
: meet with the decided opposition of
~, "ho' looking back and judging
,s. - '"e'T respective positions 10 society
nave been the first TO give coun-
'1"ee aud support to the enterprise ::
~ IN call on the director TO tell
~ important Improvement in any
~, apartments of science which has
ii 1, Win most determined and dead
i opposition. The argument, if such
a !, 1s oe called, proves too much; for
81 III. against one improvement or use
81 " .SSo' cry, II 10 good against ALL
might ask with equal pertinencv.
d ''e philosophers of antiquity did not
'ss That the Electrical fluid which
= and dances amid the storm. could
's'ned, called down TO Earth and con.
--a u bottles. Why did not our Fa.
q - s discover the use and application OF
most powerful of all agents. Steam,
whose agency and power man can new
I !. transported from place to place with
! ' less than L'ghta.ngs speed.