Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-04
norAe Tirgialtt.9

WilneSS tfe ODll9tOg disposition manifested
both by yourselfand your ncighbor of the
Republican, in answering interrogatories;
anuespecialy was | gra,ifed. to find in
his issue oflhe 9th INST, that he very
propptly replied to your inquiry, respect
ing is failure to publish my suggestions
to the candidates and voters, under the
new Constitution, proposing reform in the
liquor treating system, ofjaA7o1s Memory;
and / do hereby heartily endorse his rea
sons, under the view that he takes of the
intention or effect Of the suggestions refer
red to. hore, therefore, you will in your
next issue pnblisil. his reasons, with this
endorsement annexed, lest perchance, some
other individual may havc so far misun-
dcrstooJ or misconstrued my attention, as
debating or proposinga test for the gov
ernment of the Sons Of Temperance, in
the ensuing election. Nothing was farther
from my purpose. No feature in their
system could be more objectionable in my
estimation, than an effort to concentrate
their influence for political purposes. No
combination would more surely or more
Justly merit public rebuke.
| do not intend 10 attribute merit to nv
self,lur not belonging 10 the Order fSons;
bnt without dreading the odium, that both
the Republican and myself think would
be Justly attributable to any combination
of the Order, on that subject, ! can ven
,ureto come forward boldly, and fearless
ly denounoe a practice so subversive Of
good order, and Disgusting to good NOR
ais and also request the cooperation of
all the friends Of social reform, whether IN
the Order or out fit;whcther in the Church
or ont of it,
1t is 10 be hoped that our candidates,
one and all, will heartily approve the re-
form and promptly raise The flag Of Union
on tits subject, and thereby relieve the
public mind from all qpprehensions, that
might alise with reference to any combi-
nation of a fraterui'y VIII public scnti-
mcnt rccoil from a principle because, for
soorh, it might meet The appreciation of
The O der Of Sons? | canAot believe such
doctrine: Nor do believe thai public
sentiment should wait to be led by the ac-
ton of that Order. Since we all admit,
that such action would be liable to the
taunts of its enemies; therefore the greater
necessity Independent action originating
among the unintiated.
Had known, that my friend Of The Re
publican, was member of the fraternity
of Sons, | should have hesilatcd to request
him, as an Editor, to break the ice on this
subject, as he is now candidate letore
the people, for an important Office under
our new Constitution; since know that
such an act on his PART might have been
construed by his enemies, Us an effort to
make capital among his brethren, out ofhis
temperance principles; hope, therefore,
he will accept this apology But shall a
candidate be gagged, because he happens
to be a Son? hope mott trust that
the members Of that Order, in their indl-
vidual capacity, will not be afraid Of the
contemptuous enaer of the enemies Of a
great moral reform
Now Mr.. Editor, as y0a are rot a candi
date for office; and, as the public 90 not in
quire whether you are Son or not. and as
no suspicion can fall upon you of favour
ing design to influence the Sons, to a
dept measure calculated TO operate TO
their prejudice; therefore ! call upon you,
not ag Son. for that know not, but as a
friend to morality and good order; as
phllanthropist and patriot, to open your
columns, or rather, should plead for
them, to be kept open as heretofore, for
the vindicaiion of right principles, and
raise warning voice against the cncrqach-
ments OF vice, however CLOSED and sweet
cned TO conceal lis deiormity. Now is the
time to fortify public sentiment against
the insidious ioe.-the public press may be
made, and should be mad mighty en-
CINE to oppose the threatning evil; and
many ficuds Of reform will confidently
look TO the Elrginian, (and after the sth
inst, to the Republican ioo,) as one means
BY which ;Acy may be t.ilnphanlly I'D
on 10 victory.
Before closing these hastily collected
thoughts, | must once more earnestly So
licit the efficient influence Of those better
qualified than myself, to DO justice 10 this
subject; that reform so prolific Of good,
both to our individual and united interests,
may not be suffered to languish for want
of advocates, as though our community
could afford but one RADICAL.