The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-22

The Whole W0rifs Temperance Convention
Meeting Of the Womsn'S State Society," The
JVoman's Rights Convention - The Half
Worids Observation-Disclosures of Female
and COlorsd Delegates &c.
New YORK, Sept. 10Th, 1859
To the Editor of the National Era,
A correspondents welcome home, to you and
yours
My last letter was dated at Syracuse--the
city of salt and sedition-as feel like calling
it. OF course neither you nor your readers ex-
pected me to write much of city topics last
week, in view of that fact Now, mean to
give all the unnoticed events of the past week
the go-by, except one. allude to the "Whole
Worlds Temperance Convention" which as
scmbled at Metropolitan Hall on the I'd Of this
month, of which promised to say something
Suffice it to say Of this convocation, that it
was unusually successful, whether regarded as
to numbers in attendance, or the spirit and
temper of its proceedings. AS was to have been
anticipated, largo proportion of the delegates
were women, against whom it was not attempt
cd to cl9ssltS do oSls and noble wonsp here
Among them, but We will not commence a cat
alogue of their names, not wishing to seem in
vidOus. Its presidency was most fortunately
entrusted to Rev f. w. Higgnson, of MasSa-
chusetts, who was supported by an excellent
corps Of official associates. Among the speak
ers mention John p Hale, who made sort
of debate on the occasion. He has never taken
part in temperance convention before, al.
though he gave them his assurance that his
heart was in the cause. He was specially call.
cd out from the body Of the hall, and was re-
oeived very cordially by On immense audience
This Convention past, mostly, the usual re-
solves. To these there were two marked ex-
ceptons only. One of these was the project of
national legislation to back up the "Maine
law" promulged year or two ago through
the Era, by Dr. Snodgrass--the chief aim
whereof as you will remember, to close the
channels of the United States revenue laws
against the Importation Of foreign intoxicating
beverages. An original, unbroken packages
Of these now pass through the custom houses
of even Maine despite her local regulations !
The author of this measure has prepared pa
per on the subject az the official proceedings
will show, which will be published in pam.
phlet which is in course of publication by
committee of the convention.
The other proposition referred to- came from
Rev w. II. Claiming. 1t urged the necessity
va H"NN' VI pOpuiuI osuu0Sshche "hu HiHONcut
excitement as antidotes to intemperance--such
as free lyoeums Libraries, lectures, and concerts
The resolution which was modified somewhat
by the Business Committee, included theatrical
performances under proper regulations. In a
speech, Mr.. Claiming referred to the glorious
performance of Uncle Toms Cabin, still being
performed at the National Theatre, which, by
the way continues to attract swarming and
eager audiences every night in the week, to
weep over angelic Eva, groan over suffering
Tom, wonder at poor, uncultivated Topsy, shud.
der over fendish Legree, study enigmatic ST..
Clair, and laugh over hickory Quaker Simon.
OF Mr.. Channing's suggestions, the Sunday
Courier forcibly remarks in an article review.
ing the proceedings Of the Convention;
ut is sensible and practicable; eminently SO.
II is great mistake TO think that men become
drunkards on purpose. The mind must have
occupation--nay, diversion and excitement ut
times; and Mr. Charming is right in his view
Of the necessity Of providing places and means
OF popular amusement, ~ substitutes for bar
rooms and gin-oeck tails which are now sought
as desgnofiy innocent amusement by thous-
ands who would be glad to have some better
place 1t resort and more rational means Of en-
joyme nt before the habit OF morbid excess il
fixed pom them. As to the theatres, as n sui