Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-26
Communicated.
The Temperance Cause.

Mr.. EDITOR: That the columns of the g Tele-
graph" are open to and frequently contain com
municatons favorable to the great and leading
perance-is matter of satisfaction and gratula-
ton to most Of your numerous readers, and is
indicative of the wisdom and interest in the cause
Of humanity which direct your course.
With no little pleasure l have read in one of
your late numbers the able " Address of the
Grand Worthy Patriarch Of the Sons of Temper
ance of the District Of Columbia" and was graft
fed to gather from it that the Order is so highly
prosperous in our city, and is increasing in num-
bers, and going forward with energy and perse-
yerance in the good cause The leaders Of this
band Of devoted men-the author of this address
and his worthy associates-with whom your cor
respondent, though an humble follower, does not
claim the honor TO rank, deserve of their fellow
citizens the warmest thanks, and far more aid,
cooperation, and countenance than they usually
receive. Fearful and calamitous as are the con-
sequences and results Of liquor-sellng and liquor
drinking in our city, greatly would they be aug
mented and extended were ii not for the moral
influences which are continually exerted by these
apostles of temperance, both in their individual
and organized capacities. Although too often
bafled in their benevolent efforts and disappoint-
ed and chagrined where they have reason to sup
pose important ends to be attained, yet, although
for the time, they may be depressed. and cast
down, it is only that they may speedily rally
with fuller experience and with redoubled ener-
gies.
| The signal failure of the effort lately made by
our City Councils to regulate and diminish the
issuing Of retail licenses-its singular oyerstep-
| ping by the action of the Mayor, leading to the
continuance and multiplication Of tipping houses
lis subject of deep modification and regret by
all who are not interested in this destructive
traffic This most laudable attempt, which has
proved so utterly abortive, must have the effect
to lead the philanthropic minds of temperance
men, as is suggested in the address, to in
quire what must be next attempted to attain the
desired end IL And the questions must arise,
! Whether laws may not be enacted and enforced
here, as well as elsewhere, entirely prohibiting
the issuing of licenses or the sale of liquors
| Whether, by this lawful means, the dearest in
terests Of the many may not be effectually pro-
tected from the cupidity and heartlessness of the
interested few? Whether the time has not ar
rived when steps should be taken here to initiate
the high example of the State of Maine, by pro-
curing the enactment of laws prohibiting the in
PRODUCTION of liquors into our city? And as
doubts may be entertained as to the power of the
! Corporation, under its charter, to enact and en-
force such laws, let petitions to Congress be pre-
pared and circulated for signatures, asking such
amendments to the charter as will amply confer
such power upon the Corporation, and require
its exercise. Those citizens who should be in
strumental in attaining an end so desirable
would occupy exalted inches in the temple of
humanity. The salutary effect of such action of
Congress would be unlimited. Not only would
the blessings of thousands here be upon them,
but the brilliancy Of the example would speedily
be shed over our land, until State after State
would initiate it-untl nation would be rescued
from the destroyer. Touch Nor