Washington telegraph., 1849-08-01
Very respectfully,
MARY E. COBB.
ADDRESS OF MISS MARY Il. COBB.

WASHINGTON DIVISION, Sons OF TEMPERANCE
appear before you, on this festival
occasion, as the representative of the
ladies of Washington, to express to you
the deep interest they feel i'll the success
of the noble cause you have so zealously
espoused, and which you SO ably ad-
vocate; and, in testimony of their high
regard and gratitude, to present you this
Bible, Gods gift TO man, "the proclama-
ton of his greatness, flowing well,
fountain of wisdom.
The sautary influence of your fraternity
has already been manifested in our COM
munity. Many have become the happy
recipients of its vivifying power. Our
hearts have been made to rejoice, as we
have received accounts, from time to time,
of the moral reform progressively spread
ing its benign influence over our heaven
favored land.
Strong drink has been powerful aux
iliary in fomenting factions; in poisoning
the fountains of social Intercourse, and
domestic quietude; and in arresting the
onward progress of gospel truth and
purity 1t has eXerted a baneful influence
over the mind of its victim, in perverting
that innate principle of virtue implanted
by the Author of our Being for the eleva-
ton of fallen man. In short, the deleterl-
Gus effects of curiosity are too well known
and felt, not to meet, in this enlightened
age, with a check in their cruel, heart
rending course:-and we do feel deep,
and devout gratitude to the All Wise III
raising up, by blessed Providence, men
with moral courage to meet and arrest
the action of this gloomy, yet mighty
engine of misery and wo.
We eXult TO behold the Banner Of
Temperance, that emblem of bright hopes,
that exponent of the improved, and still
improving, morals of our community,
floating in triumph beneath the sunny
skies of Arkansas, bearing on its folds
the cheering and truthful motto-"Love,
Purity and Fidelity"
Need [ allude to the victories you
have won? Here, in our beloved Wash
ington, under this Banner you have, as
the champions of Temperance, guided
and sustained by Social love, moral Purity
and Brotherly Fidelity, welded mild,
but potent influence, III restoring many
an intellect trembling on the verge OF
ruin, to its former strength and usefulness,
in closing the doors of the temple of vice,
in wiping away the tear of deep and
silent anguish, and in arresting the sink
ing interests of many a halfrulned family,
by restoring its head to sober thought
and honest labor. In a word, you have,
as we humbly trust, by hands strengthen
ed and directed by Heaven, laid the axe
unto the root of the Upas of Intemper-
ance; and our firm hope is, that you will
thereby prepare ample space, in which
to plant forever the tree of American
liberty. Go on, persevere, and conquer
and whilst thus actively engaged in
counteracting the whitening influence OF
that bane to human happiness,
and wives, daughters and sisters all, dW,
mere and elsewhere, will cooperate with
YOU in your benevolent eXertions; and
while you remain constant and true to
your motto, we will hail you, Sons OF
Temperance, as messengers from the
skies to announce afresh the angelic
tidings: "Peace on earth, and good will
toward men,"
Deeply impressed with the value and
importance of your efforts as a philan-
throphic association. we offer you this
copy of the Holy Scriptures, in token OF
our cordial appreciation and the high
estimation in which we hold your order
May this Blessed Book by its divine
counsel lead you to choose the path OF
wisdom,
One humble path, that never bends
Narrow and rough, and steep, ascends
From darkness into light.
Is there guide to show that path!
The Bible:--He alone, who hath
The Bible, need not stray;
Yet he who hath, and will not give
That Heavenly guide to all that lIve'
Himself shall lose the way.
Accept then this precious volume ana
we cannot but give utterance 10 tue