The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-01-20
GOVERNOR BRIGGS AND TEMPERANCE.


BosToN Jan. II l849.
The Massachusetts Legislative Temperance Society,
held its first meeting for the season, Wednesday eve
ming, IN the Representatives Hail.
Gov. Briggs taking the chair said, he was gratihed
with the fact, that within three days greater number
had signed the pledge than in any previous year, and
very large proportion of them MISUNDERSTANDING
the public sentiment of the towns that them here
Publ men, he said, owed something 10 society,
than their public dues-they owed the Influence OF their
example in whatever affected the morals of the cons
munty. Whatever might be said about ultra measures,
none denied that virtuous example good and
the duty Of that body to hold forth here, and every
where the light OF such example Whether grog shops
sell by law or against it, let not the members of the
Legislature patronze them, in high places places
Let no young be ruined by their drinking Of the
intoxicating cup in public or in rivaie.
We trusted that public sentiment would not allow the
evil 10 Increase 10 any considerable extent. We had
fear that Boston any other town this honored Com
monweath, would be given up 10 lis ravages. Th, re
was too much refinement, much religion here per
m it it, And yet the evil was enormous. There were
in the Commonwealth, not less than len thousand pau
pers made so by ntemperance. The annual expense of
sustaining these exceeded $500 0G0 This heav>
Ter Tax than for the whole civil list Of the government
Such was the annual appropriation out OF the public
treasury for drunkenness. What, sad he, would our
constituents says, we 10 make appropriations to
ourselves, Of amount equal 10 our pay? We should
go home, and return to these honored seats or
place amidst these stately columns, names branded
with nfamy.
Every member had an influence, he said, and should ii
nOt he IN sim uSele He had
only spoken of money. But wheL we locked at these
10000 pauPer victims and the rags and misery OF their
children and the tears and wounds and shame OF their
hear>broken wives mothers o. who could tell the
woes of these Or what was The value of money com.
pared with their sonows But STILL what were all these
compared with the crimes .duced by intoxicating drink
and the coruptng influence on society? None could
question that drunkenness contagious in gh life and
low lite. And do not these evils appeal with tremend-
Gus force 10 every pincp pie of humanity within u.s. Tor
| our example and influence against their cause
Because inemperance is SO common is il any the less
terrible to the mother she looks upon her r.hared
boy. TO see HIM dipping with mud and filth and hear
from his lips oalhs and vugaIy-any the less DIRE adfu
for a drunken son TO curse mother?
tie had just letter from Bishop Souhgate SAYS
/ ing he had been all over the Turkish domlnons and
! nowhere, out OF Consantnope, had ever seen grog
shop, and in that city they kept and patronized
only by so called Christians! Mahomedans scornrd the
traffic and tie degradation. How long he asked should
tine ships that carried from our wharves the Missionaries
VI dlo"eu 10 tnelr DodS lnoXicat-
ing liquors, 10 ponr out deeper degradation and rum
upon the heahen and thwart the influences OF Christian,
ity? The memers oftnat Legislature had some influence
| i'll that matter.
But they would soon pass away, and their sons would
occupy these seats. And in years come said he VIXEN
| your sons looks the OF this Society would
| you not have hun find your lherel Would he not
be panied, it was not found among the honored names
that adorn that list Thames. that will in future years.
be classed with the patrons Of our republic. A solemn
thought, that reminded Of thai final day. v hen the
books shall be opened, and every rewarded accord
ing as is work has been.
The meeting also addressed by Lieut.. Gov Reed
Alderman Grant, and several honored members of the
| Legislature.
Amasa Walker, Esq. said the public sentiment of
this Commonwealth was decidedly opposed to the sale
and use Of intoxicating drinks ;--t for total absti-
nence Yet the temperance cause could not succeed
| fully, while there was class above public sentiment
and class below, that would drink. of these Two, the
| class above the main hindrance. Fashionable
drinking was what young could not Withstand Yet,
let it not be said, in 849 that the temperance reform
had failed II had not failed In $50 towns liquor = as
not sold now and it would be banished from the
interior. AID