Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1850-04-06
Address to Capitol Division No. 20,
8. Oft Baton Rouge.
BY A BROTHER.

myself from the evils OF lntemper-
ance. / have not been in the habit
Of using intoxicating liquors to X
cess, and could abstain from the use
of it whenever | would desire to do
so, but conceived 1t an Imperative
dufy on my part. as well as on the
para of those who use Intoxicating
liquors with prudence 10 give coun-
%tenance to a body of this kind by be-
coming one of its number, in order
to show a good example to those
around who indulge to G in this
dangerous and unnatural habit In
deed, | would consider it selfish OH
my part to stand aloof and refuse to
take part in a cause of such vital inn
portance, because | considered my
self beyond the reach of its danger
Gus influence, and silently watch the
fearful ravages, 50 terrible, crushing
to the earth thousands of my fellow
creatures who seem blind or indiffer-
ent to to the sad havocsmade in the
ranks of men of nearly every grade
and condition-no cline issacred from
its blighting intluehce-the gifted
as well as the ungifted-the rich as
well rs theopoor-the young as well
as the old fall victims to this remorse-
less fiend, unbounded in destruction
and Unsuitable in appetite-destroy-
ing the powers of Notwithstanding
that manly form, the handiwork of
God-disfiguring that bright aud joy
Gus face beaming with intelligence
a,ldscontent, and made to feel the
pangs of sorrow and disgrace after
calm retrospection Of q life of de-
hatchery and bacchanalian habits.
As we are united together for the
purpose of ameliorating the condition
ii tic thhPaFyy iHebriate, il hehnves
every one of us as 'Sons of Temper
ance' to endeavor by untiring ex-
%ertions to advance as far as lays in
our power the cause we have "united
in to perpetuate," and bring to the
minds of those who are not yet ac-
quainted witiethe benefits of our be-
loved order, the Importance of their
immediate cooperation. While we
thus hold an extended hand. let us by
kind words zealously admonish them
TO shrink from the evils of intemper-
ance and stand among us redeemed
from a life Of misery and wo. and
unite their efforts in a cause calcula-
ted to gain the smiles and blessings
of those who have at heart the inter
est of rising generation and welfare
of society. Without the diffusion of
temperance. society would be much
impaired, and in a few centuries the
human race would be much degene-
rated !; and we who have it in power
to effect much good, remain inactive
with folded arms, regardless of the
fearful consequences, will when the
golden time has fled have good cause
to chide ourselves for not exercising
those duties demanded of us-a cause
we should not be ashamed to advo-
cate aud spread far and wide until
its genial effects are felt and realized
from one end Of the earth to the 9th
err, and the dark clouds that now
seem to mantle the skies are dispel-
ed by a glorious sunshine. and every
heart filled with gratitude at the
blessed work wrought by the united
exertions of this truly charitable. be-
nevolent and indeed christian like or
der. Though young in years let us
be mighty in strength and prepare to
sulsmount the difficulties and remove
the obstacles that threaten our o.
ward course. and act vigorously the
part assigned TO es5h of us in this
glorious reformation--then let Us
glory in our laudable undertaking.,
and as long as our feeble voices can
be heard let it be in v%indication of
"Love Purity and Fid%elity'--a noble
cause.-the "cause of all mankind'-
let thunders roar and8lightning fash,
and dark and threatning clouds grow
thick Ger our heads--you my breth-
rem, you who are faithful to our col
ors will be found as the faithful sem
tinel upon the watchtower, Battling
amid the blast--frm TO the cause
under our banner until VIC
tory shall be inscribed in golden and
i~nefaceable characters upon its folds.
Then will we have cause to rejoice
at the noble work performed, and
when we shall be called upon to re-
sign the position We now occupy, it
will be a proud satisfaction for us to
know, that we have discharged those
devolving on us which we owe
posterity as well as the present gen.
Grafton.
Our cause is one, looked upon by
hose who regard the welfare and
happiness Of the poor and unfortunate
nebriate as a blessing sent from
Heaven to snatch from the fiery
avs of yawning Bacchus, thousands
IF noble and generous hearted beings,
IF high and exalted intellect, and no. .
Die impulses, who have been enticed i,
by the gatherings of the bowl, be- 6
come besotted and rendered unfit to ,
into the society Of those who :
abstain from the use of intoxicating +,
lraughts lest their alcoholic respira- /
ions contaminate the pure and unaf.
,ected% atmosphere they breathe. I
Our labors in this community have
lot been fruitless, but has succeeded c
our most sanguine expecta- !
ions, and the good resulting there :
rom has amply repaid us for perse- :
and unremitting attention =