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

The Whole Worlds Temperance Conueniion-
Meeting Of the Womsn's State Soeiety-Ihe
WOman's Rights Convention - The Half
Vorids Observation-Disclosures of Female
and Coiored Delegates &c.
Nav YORK, Sept. 10Th, 1853.
To the Editor of the National Era:
correspondents welcome home, to you and
yours
My last letter was dated at Syracuse-the
city of salt and sedition-as feel like calling
1t. Ut 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
-, 80 ~ ..Jrs, and noble womc9 here
il&ong them, but We will not commence a cat
alogue Of their names, not wishing to seem in
vdious. Its presidency was most fortunately
entrusted to Rev f. w. Higginson, 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-
ceiyed very cordially by an immense audience.
This Convention past, mostly, the usual re-
solves. To these there were two marked ex-
ceptions only. One of these was the project of
national legislation to back up the "Maine
law" promulged a year or two ago through
tho Era, by Dr. Snodgrass-the chief aim
whereof a. you will remember, to close the
channels of the United States revenue laws
against the Importation Of foreign intoxicating
beverages. All 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 as the Official proceedings
will show, which will be published in pam.
phlet which is in course of publication by a
committee of the convention.
The other proposition referred to, came from
Rev. w. h. Claiming. Ii urged the necessity
OF places OF popular amusement and innocent
excitement as antidotes to ntcmperancc-such
as free lyceums 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, uncultiyated Topsy, shue.
der over fendish Legree, study enigmatic 81.
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 tho Convention;
1T is sensible and practicable; cminently SO.
IL is great mistake 10 think that men become
drunkards on purpose. The mind must have
0ccupation--nay, diversion and excitement ut
times; and Mr. Claiming ia right in his view
of the necessity Of providing places and means
OF popular amusement, - substitutes for bar
rooms and gin-oscktails which are now sought
rs dsagnediy innocent amusement by thous-
ands who would be glad To have some better
place II resort and more rational means Of en-
joyme Mt before the habit OF morbid excess is
fixed ipon them As to the theatres, US a sui.