The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-07-24

moral and benevolent institution, claim
ing in no small degree the regard and
favor of the patriot. That institution is
the beautiful and beneficial Order of
the Sons of Temperance 1t needs no
labored argument to show the intrinsic
merit of this Order, and its deep and
vital bearing upon the well being and
prosperity of our nation. Our associa-
ton is no petty society, confined to a
few localities-it is a great and mighty
institution, as wide in extent and in
fuence as our Union, and aiming at
the destruction of a fearful national
vice and evil. The vice of intempes-
ance is one that has spread Itself
Throughout the country; aud its terrible
history has shown it TO be a giant evil;
lnimical and destructive alike to the
Decuniary. the physical. the moral and
intellectual interests OF our nation, and
hostile to her freedom and prosperity:
And upon the correct principle that
total abstinence from all that intoxi-
Gates, as a beverage, can alone cure
the vice of intemperance, and remove
this baneful curse from society and
from our country the Order of the Sons
of Temperance is founded. 1t counts
its thousands upon thousands in every
State of our Union, in the noble and
worthy field of moral and social reform
in which it stands engaged. And the
great temperance cause, under its pro-
pitious influence, is moving gloriously
on to the consummation of its high and
noble aims. And, citizens, would
you engage in work, not only of
humanity and of a pure and exalted
benevolence, but one TO which every
nobler considerable of patriotism ini-
peratively calls you? If You would;
''it is here, ii is here,o within the prohd
ranks of the Order Of ';Sous," that The
field for such meritorleus labor is open:
And to-day, fellow-c citizens, hnder the
auspices of branch Of that Order, and
the generous patronage of the ladies' Of
this parish, we have met TO Celebrate
this 4th of July. We meet, fellow
citizens, to mingle' together and 10 re-
ioice and exult in view of our freedom
and happiness on this great annual
jubilee of our nation. AS portion of
the children of one great family, we
have assembled around the affairs of
our liberty, to pay grateful tribute TO
the memory of its immortal founders,
and Li,,ILa ruithin nur- hasnnAS
afresh the holy fires of patriotism. Let
us exult that we are Americans-that
our home is freedoms soil-that all the
priceless blessings of political liberty
are ours to enjoy, to improve and to-
transmit to others. And let US FeTnen1-
Der that to guard these rights, to pre-
serve these blessings in their purity
and excellence, and to render perma~
nent, and increase and perpetuafe the
good we en- JOY, we must, as people, be
virtuous, enlightened and united. Then,
and then only, will the return of this
glorious Fourth continue TO be observed
as an anniversary, happy IN its naerno-
ries, joyous in its inspiring ceremonies;
and blessed in its beneficent Influences
And then, whenever we may befletd
our proud flag of stars and stripes float
ing in the breeze of heaven, we cam
gaze in pride upon IFS folds. and with a
hope of their falflment, address it IN
the language of the beautiful apos-
trophe of the poet:
Flag of the free still bear thy way
Undmmed through ages yet untold;
Der earth's proud realms thy stars display,
Like mornings radiant clouds unrolled.
Flag of the skies still peerless shine,
Through ether's azure vaults unfured,
Till every hand and heart entwine
To sweep oppression from the world