The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-09-22
Extracts from Mr. Trimble's Speech

FRIENDS AND BRoTIrEEs OF TIE ROSE
BANK DIVISION OF THE Sons OF TEMPER
ANcE:-' The Ladies of East Nottingham,
in appearing before you, in presence of
this vast auditory, are conscious that the
censorious may view the incident we are
now enactng, as marked with boldness,
somewhat unbefitting the female character !;
and we must confess, that it required some
effort on our part, to overcome the natural
tinldity OF our sex, and thus assume the
responsibility ola public exposure Of our
motives and feelings. But when it is con-
sidered that all that is valuable to Us in
life, is at stake--That all the virtues which
ameliorate, improve, and embelish society,
are dependant upon the moral and religious
cultivation at which You are aiming; it
will be admitted that there is some plausi-
bility tor our presumption some cxcuse
for laying aside our habitual reserve, and
thus contering upon you an evidence of
our admiration of the pure principles and
ardent patriotism which your briei course
has already shown to be the guiding stars
Of your aspirations.
1t was the OPINION of Plato, that "if the
good and bad qualities of men and women
were separated. and the former blended in
one race of beinrs, they would exhibit a
state of absolute perfection" Without
however aspiring to the ideal, though beau
tifuI conceptions of the philosopher, is it
too much to hope that we may approximate
it in some degree? Nature, rdlication. and
custom seem 10 have allotted US different
duties, but without impairine tie utility of
our social Efforts, where the mutual inter-
est binds. and where the ties Of sympathy
between us are iusenarallc. willie yours
may be In" task H. braIs. thc waves Of ad-
versity, and battle with the rurred vicissi-
tubes ot lita-coniront the demons of i'm
morality. who are fast nippinr the buds Of
promise model the features orgovcrnmcnt,
or scale tie hills of science, be ours the
more appropriate and PLEASING duty. to en-
twinc the wreath of victory upon YOUR
Lrows - to cheer and sustain where we
cannot share YOUR Iabors. II
II was the custom of the youth Of Snar-
ia, at their public festivals, ard in their pa
trio(iC and national MEETINGS TO rice with
one accord at the approach Of a venerable
fellow citizen, to testify their respect for
his worth, and their reverence, for his char
acter, and although most of your number
are vet co.nparativclv in the earlier walks
Of life, in this association YOU are manifest
ing the wisdom of age-thc gathered hon
or Of many ycars.-And while contem-
plating the blessings which must flow from
your efforts, and in which we hone 10 be-
come such large participants, we feel emo
tons arising in our hearts, almost amount
ing to the vencrstion ofthe Grecian youth.
And surely If the value of an institution
be graded by its usefulness, if it evince that
maturity Of Judgment, which draws upon
the past for a knowledge of the future and
invests the dictates OF experience almost
with the wisdom Of prophecy, then that in
stitutlon has iust claim upon the respect
and honor of the people whatever may
be the age OF its members, or the date Of
its formation. And Notwithstanding the
Spartan fife is now mute-and the Spar
tan phalanx gone--we trust that the
piety which should arise like incense
around the beneiactors of our race, and the
generosity which should defend them from
unjust reproach--wi,l be found in the
hearts OF YOUR sisters.
With these feelings and motives we now
approach YOU for the purpose of present.
ing you copy of the Christian Bible.
Having understood without however in
dulging much ia woman's prving curios-
itv,j that the use of the sacred volulnn is
designed to become an element of your Or
ranization, we assume the liberty Of thus
testifying our appreciation not only Of the
noble cause in which YOU are engeged, but
of the untold value ofthe sacred PACE Itself.
The powers of enumeration would fail US,
were we to attempt a full exhibition Of the
benefits which have flowed around tne hab-