Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-03-17
TEMPERANCE CONVENTION,

! morning, and was organized by calling 10 th
: Chair, JAMES A. COCHRAN. Esq. and appontn,
Rev. r. H.. PHILLifs and Rev. Mr. RIcHARDso,
f Secretaries. Large and respectable meetings ha,
been previously held in different parts OF the Coun
ty, and fourteen precincts were represented BY up
wards of one hundred and thirty delegates.
Staunton.-J B Breckinrjge, DR. Kurtz: S K
Taylor, Pike Powers, Rev B M Smith. DR. Hop
kins, Jos A Waddell, DR. Gamble, R P Kinney,
!, Slonaker, Rev T T CasiIeman WI Kayser.
Geo B Wright, S Miller, Dr. Laird, A NJ Simp.
son, Geo Harlan, w B Crawford. Sam'l E Clarke.
F Alfred, DR. McGi. Rev MIR Phillips, Jno
Clarke Rev w B Brown.
.nIiddlebrook. Elisha Hogshead, w O Low.
man, M Beard, Falls, Jonathan Graham,
Thos Graham, VIM Shelton.
Waynesborough Rev w Richardson, w
w King, A Bruce, E T Alberson, Abs Kou-
er, Dan Fishhurn, w Kenkle, J Guthrie.
Chwchcdle.-Amo Crosby, SEN, O Hobbs,
Rev G A Shuey Col w A Bell A Cochran,
II. Rppetoe, E Geeding, A Accord, Jacob w
Bear, B Snider.
.Nsw Hope.-Jas Borden, D Faulkner, T.
G Stout, Col Nat Kerr. Myers, Robt Guy,
+ Eakle, James Nelson
Long Glade School House.-A R Bell, G H
Erwin, Bronson Smith.
Spring RM-John Patterson, Jno Ramsey.
Sam Cups. Jas Clinednst, w B Sheets. U b
Poe, Splitter, C w Burgess.
Mt. Sidney-Thos. p Wilson, Robt A Cur.
ry, Rev VIM Brown, A Hyde, J C McCue,
Vim B Hyde, DR. VIM Brufy, Robt X Wilson.
Cyrus Brown, Vim Edison, BilIhime, J Per.
kins, Robl Gamble, Sam'l Life, Juo Yates
M Carmel-S Bradley, McGuffin.
M 1abor.-W H Shuey, Jacob Shuey, Phil
Greaver, Capt Geo Shuey, Robl H Holland Jno
E BowersoCk.
Thinking Spring.-Jacob Van Lear, R L Dab
ney, H Fl Peck. Jno Hamilton, Thos Calbreath,
Frank Nc Cue Hugh Mcclure, H G Guthrie,
Jno Churchman, w Gilkeson Jno Shullz IT,. d
S Bell.
Nerport:-Jno H Taylor, Geo w Snapp.
CreenriNe. Adam Shuliz
M. Solon-Wm II WooddeIl.
FdirfeM.-J D Wallace, Sam'l NJ Templeton,
VIM Donald.
On motion of Rev VIM Brown
Resolred, That should any delegates be present
from other counties, they be invited TO take seats
as members of the Convention.
Whereupon. Messrs VIM M Thompson and A
Donald from Fairfield, Rockbridge CO., appeared
and took seats as delegates.
On motion Of the Rev NJ Smith
ReS0lyed, That committee consisting of one
from each delegation present, be appointed to pre-
pare business for the consideration Of this Conven-
lion.
The Chair appointed the following gentlemen:
A ShulN, e Geedng, K Hogshead, Rev b M
Smith, WIN King, James Nelson, Col + McCue,
Capt Shuey, John III Taylor, Jacob G SpiiIer, A
r Bell, James Henry, Thos Wilson VIM II
Woodeil and J ID Wallace, Esq.
The Committee retired and during their absence
the Convention was addressed by ] b Breckin-
ridge. Esq, and r P Kinney, Esq. The latter
gentleman offered some lucid and interesting re-
marks upon the present license system, in pecu-
mary point Of view, as matter Of State and coun-
ty policy. lie was interrupted by the return of the
through the Rev B NJ Smith who offered some very
interesting remarks explanatory TO the views set
forth in the same. After which, The Convention
took recess till 8 O'Clock 2. NJ.
O'clock, p. NJ. The Convention re.assembled
and there ensued n very interesting discussion ofthc
different methods suggested by several delegates,
as best adapted 10 secure the objects in view. Rev.
B. NJ. Smith, j. B. Breckenridge ESQ.,, Rev. L.
T. Cas!eman, Pike Powers Esq. Rev. DR.. Hop
kIns, Rev. VIM. Brown, Mr. Hailman. Mr.. Firth,
and Mr.. Brady, participated in this discussion,
which was characterized by great courtesy and
calm, dspassionate view of the whole subject
With regard 10 the magnitude Of The evil and the
importance of immediate action, there was perfect
unanimi,y. The only difference of opinion was as
to the policy of The means proposed. Some thought
that SHE axe Of the Legislature should be imme-
diatey applied u the neck of the terrible Boa Con-
strcior," while others thought, "he might be
restricted by well defined legal enactment" After
a free and most interesting debate, Mr.. X. p Kin
ney addressed the Convention in some eloquent e.
marks, and offered substitute which was adopted
by large majority. Ii was moved 10 substitute
the Preamble Of the committee for that Of Mr. Kin
ney and to append the last article Of the Report 10
his substitute which was adopted and the whole
stands in The following form:
To The General Assembly Of The Common
rcalM of Virginia, the Petition Of The I'M
dersigned, citizens Of augusta County, re-
specially represents
In common with others, throughout the State,
you petitioners feel painfully & deeply con' inced,
that evils of most alarming magnitude and a
most bonefui character, arising from the lnlemper-
ale OF intoxicating liquors, are seriously affect
ing the most vital interests Of every department Of
Society, Frustrating the physical, impairing the
intellectual and debasipg The moral faculties Of man.
This vice has made husbands and wives The tor
inenters of those they should love, parents the
curses Of children, and children the disgrace Of pa
rents, and converted humane masters into ruthless
tyrants faithful servants into expensive vagabonds,
the Interpreters and executors of the law Inio the
most reckless viOlators, and obedent, law-abiding
citizens into pests Of society. 1t has made minis
tiers TO disease and death of the appointed minis
ters TO health, and numbered among The victims OF
lis power, the exponnders Divine Revelalion.-
To arrest the progress and abae the pernicious re-
suits Of 4 vice which thus sapped the foundations
of society, dried up the fountains Of wealth and
prosperity and burdencd the body polite with the
heaviest part Of The expense of crime aud pauper-
ism, the statesmen and philanthropisls, Of fDTmet
times, have felt justified in invoking the s;roEg
arm of the Law. Ii cannot, however, be conceal
ed that notwithstanding the execution of the Stat
ute, aided by the enlightened and cultivated lone
Of moral sentiment, happily prevalent in most paris
Of this beloved Commonwealth, the evils Of In
temperance ale still mournfully conspicuous among
all classes, ages and interests of the community.
While the source and strength Of every moral
reform, is to be found in the intelligent will of the
people, yet it has been regarded as important
that for the institution Of good aud the suppression
of evil practices. judcious laws, as fixed and per-
manent opponents Of public sentiment, are not only
consistent with the principles of Free Institutions.
but as necessary as under any form of government.
ndeed this necessity is enhanced oy the fact, that
ours is government; Of Law.
Under the influence of these consideraions,you
Petitioners respectfully submit to yOur wise snd
careful consideration, the propriety cf materially
modifying the existing Law on the Retail Of IFS
tuxicaling Liquors. This Law is regarded By
many as erroneous in the principle which it i'm
pIledy recognises, that there ought 10 exist such
traffic as il regulates; and defective in prUvis
iOn that il does not prescribe sufficiently sum
mary method for enforcing lis penalties, or en-
brace in its prohibitions the entire Of The
evil il pruplses 90 aba,p