The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-06
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTlON-UN
PUBLISHED LETTER FROM DANIEL
WEBSTER

The foll~wirg reply by Mr. Webster, to an
invitation t, attend celebration fthe temper
aacc cause IN Iarf I'd county, Maryland, is
published in volume of person Il "reminiscences
aud sketches, by F. w Thomas, esq the well
known author Of Clinton Bradshaw, which has
Just been issued by MIR Hart, OF PhiiadeIph a.
The letter will be read with int rest.
MaRsHFlELp, Oct s, 1851.
GENTLEMEN 1t is a matter of deep regret
to me, that did not RI ceve your kind letter OF
the 9th of August till very late day. was
in the mountains of New Hampshire, taking
breath Of my native cir, and it was the last OF
August betore | returned. know not whether,
If | had received your communication sooner it
would have been in my power to attend the
meeting to which was invited, but should
have been able to have given more timely an
swer.
There can be question that the Temper
ance movement, in Tue United States, has done
infinite good Tie moral influence Of the
Temperance associations has been everywhere
felt, and always with beneficial results. In
some cases, it is true, the Temperance meas
ures have been carried to excess, where they
evoked legislative penalties, and sought to en-
force the virtue OF Temperance by the power of
the Law. To certain extent, this, no doubt
is jusli6ab!e and useful but it is the moral
principal of Temperance, it is the conscientious
duty which it teaches, to abstain from inloxi-
eating draughts, such are hurtful both to
mind and body, which are the great az, nts for
the reformation of manners in this resuect.
Your order is quite right in connecting b new
olence and charlly with Temperance. They
may wei! 20 hand-in hand He whose facnl-
ties are never debaunched or supplied, whose
mind is always active and alert, and who prac-
tees self-denal, is naturally drawn to con-
slider the deserving objects which are alb Ut him,
that may be poor, or sick, or diseased.
Love, Purity, and Fidelity, are considered
Christian virtues and hope that those s'ban.
ners" which bear these words for their motto
may rise higher and higher, and float more and
mrre widely through this and all coun RES.
You have invited me, gentlemen, if could
attend The meeting, TO address the members Of
your order on the great subject of the Union
l should have done SO with pleasurelt. Although
do not propose to continue the practice of ad-
dressing great mullitades of men yet | could
not have refused to have expressed my opin-
ions the great topics of the day, in the
State of Maryland. Out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh.
pray you t, be assured, gentlemen, that
value h ghIy the opinion you. have expressed
for my public character and conduct and
Indulge the hope TINT may ere long meet some
OF you In the city where my public duties are
discharged; and most of all, fervently trust hat
you and !, and your children will remain fell
low citizens Of one great united Republic, so
long society shall exist among us. While
live, every effort in my power, whether made
in public in private life, will be devoted to
the promotion If that great end.
| am. gentlemen, very respectfully, your OBJ
lged friend and iellow-citizen.
DANIEL WEBSTER