Smyrna times., 1854-12-27
Written for the Smyrna Times.
"The Signs Of the Times"
Mr.. EDITOR

Mr.. EDITOR -
notice in the Delaware State Reporter of
the l9th Instant, an editorial headed the sipns
OF The times IN which the editor Induces his
against Ministers of the Gospel and Tenn
Perance men. lie charges Ministers with " a
change OF the manner of inculcalinr public NOR
atty and Religion and says this is to be at
empted under plea of suppressinp vices and
the suppression is designed to be ACCOMPLISHED
by legislation and political action" lie SAYS
further that the first change of this kind accord.
ing to his recollection took place after the old
temperance Society was changed into a secret
society, and become political organization.
wonderful memory this editor of the Report-
er mas, Tar exceeding the memory of him who
remembered how the big black dog barked the
night ne was born; for this editor verv distinct
~ remembers things that have never existed
Ahe Old Temperance society was never cham
ged INTO secret society. The editors wonder
tul memory to the contrary notwithstanding
and the sons Of Temperance Ito which | SUP.
pose the editor with the wonderful memory nj.
ludes) never was political organization. The
sons OF Temperance did not come into existence
by Changing the old Temperance societies into
The new order. But it sprang up a separate
ana dlstlnct organization, entirely distinct from
ana independent OF the old Temperance soci-
cues, ana sons OF Temperance have ever been
the most active and Jealous members of those
ola societies. Therefore all that portion of the
article that expresses the editors sympathy with
old Temperance societies, and his regrets that
The youth and the ladies were excluded from the
good work, Is perfect moonshne not borne ont
by the facts Of the case and can only be ex
plained by the powers of the editors wonder.
FULLY tnUentiUe memory. The youth and the
LADIES nave ever been encouraged to Cooperate
WIN the friends OF Temperance, and the sons
ol temperance have individually ever been
ready to JOIN them in efforts for the advance
inent OF the cause. But find | should extend
this article beyond reasonable limits, to ia Ike nm
IN detail and comment on this loosely written
editorial; from the first line to the conclusion
OF 1t, the writer gives evidence of his hatred to
Ministers ofthe Gospel in general, and the cause
OF Temperance in particular. All this sym
pathy for old Temperance societies, for the wo-
men and youth of the country, for moral suasion
&C., is mere cant and humbug; he is forever
hndlng fault with the movements of the Tenn
perance men, and yet he would be thought a
9 'eat friend OF Temperance. But it will not do
Mr.. Reporter, you can cover yourself with no
such hImsy ven as this; if you would really
nave men beiIeve you are in favor of Temper
ancc, morality, and good order, you must adopt
some other method to show it than constantly
finding faalt with Ministers of the Gospel. and
all the movements Of Temperance men. "By
their fruits shall ye know them," and call on
you Mr.. Editor, to show what earnest endeavors
you have made for the suppression of Intemper
ance, gambling, and its kindred vices-where
are your labors for the good of the public.
where! All! echo ANSWERS where No, No, Mr..
Editor, you cannot pass for an advocate of Tenn |
MAJ
ton is too we'll known, the power you possess
Is too often prostltuted to unworthy purposes.
you are known to belong to that class who can
custer teach twenty men what were GOOD IN no
done than be yourself one of the twenty. and
follow your own teaching All your efforts to
throw contempt on Ministers OF the Gospel will |
but recOll on Your own head. AS they have in |
the past, SO will they continue in the future to
- preach Christ and him crucified" and all that
affects nJurlOusly the good morals and happI |
ness OF the human race will in the future. as
1t has in the past receive their unqualified dis.
appreciation. You may snarl and lind fault IN
your hearts content, but all your ebultions nj
wrath will not alter their course And now in
reference to a ProhbtOry Law, we need some
hing besides the bare declaration of the editor
ot the Reporter, that such laws are not benef-
;lal IN their tendency. The increased happi-
Tess OF the people IN thOSe States which have |
passed such laws, the diminished number ofpau-
'ers and criminals, the increasing popularity of
'uch laws in all the states which have passed
hem, all cOnsplre to make manifest the incor-
ectness of your assertion. Permit me also Mr..
EDITOR to call your attention to the beautiful
oglc in the concluding portion OF your editori-
H. ia winch you hold the friends of the Maine
aw responsible for its violation by its opponents
| the law prohibits the sale of these drinks.
nd men for the sake of gain, violate the law
nd are indicted and punished, these violators
re the peculiar subjects of your sympathy, and
hose rascally Maine law men are all to blame 7
Dr. II Beautiful logic this, truly! thought )
lch reasoning was confined to the independent \
,um party of Delaware. But advise them IN
'ok out, for the Editor of the Reporter is about
steal their thunder. Permitm Mr.. Editor, \
conclusion, to ask why the keeping of Gam a
Ing Houses and Of race courses why the is I,
re Of counterfeit money, the circulation of OBJ O.
'ene books, prints, &c.! The opening of ten
N alleys &c, &C., should be prohibited BY law,
lille the sale of intoxicating drinks as a bev l.
age, producing manifestly more injury to the
than any or all these things COM W
ned, 40 permitted and encouraged by law. Do y,
II me thou Editor of wonderful me,nofv. .,
herein consists the ,propriety of Prohibition m
hen applied TO other evils that affiict communi M
while according to your logic il is whollyin- N
plcable to the great evil of rnmselline. - Ter
'ai'.3 EAt hA = ~ BENEDICT so
gae 3. 9iaalG4l.a-A ---l l.l 2 talaaI ioa y,
To LEr.-The jail 10 Wipdham County Conn, ia
without tenant How the Maine Law st