Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1854-10-25

system from alcoholic rotations, mentally and
physically, was not accurately understood, be-
cause of the paucity and mperfection of medi-
cal investigations upon the subject-their IN
roads upon the consultation were WRONGLY at
tributed-if observed at all. Men then imbib-
ed, with little computations of conscience--tbe
fearof the evils resulting from this source not
having been fully before their eyes--temper:.
ance societies We're not numerous--welI-fl filled
bottles of various kinds of ardent spirits claim
ed place in nearly every household. in which
1t was part Of social duty to proffer these bev-
erages to all who ghtfeeldisrosed to indulge
then the fairer portion of creation not appre-
clatiRg the extent of the evil, saw very little
necessity OF counteracting it, there was an
apathy upon the subject. ~ 4 ~
I very little legislation was then made upon
the SUBJECT, If considered as an evil at ali II
was regarded as a necessary evil. few tRa, -
would have thought of prohibiting # bv the on
actment OF stringent laws-there wsHld have
oeen experienced an utter impossibiIitv of on
forcing such laws-la WIS which restricted mon
III the free use OF their liberty to pratifv their
anlhlal appetlte-lt would have been a gross in
Engagement! and would have encountered about
| 'le sdnle resistance as did the excise law. i'm
posing tax upon domestic distilled shirts
ouch was, In part, the condition of the cause
rev years ago-a lethargic condition and we
VIII now attempt to ascertain what means have
been employed in removing this Ietbarov--;r
awakening the community to a sense of dntv
and III promoting the best interests of RI,
cause and we will see the gradations from tbf
period when the first steps were taken to stay
u!e raF2ges OF lhtemReranee, up to the present
'lihc' W4en Inc strong arm of the lazy is extend
in the field. "i'F 4'''he'
,pW,lHesi naueHoedby regulations of churches
""Hh lequired an occasional temperance ser
.lon' anu ctuHIeu by numbcrless precepts founC
mental III directing the attention of their con
gregatlons TO the subject of intennerancn :
EnlinatlHg from the sacred desk. it could bu
have had It's weight and cansed the hearers T.
reflect upon the subject and ponder it within
: their minds, which, when done unbiased. WA
, sure 70 impress them with its Importance.
Lecturers On the subject, itnerant in thci
way gave 1t an lmpetns; accompanied by thei
) PiGdges' ana armed with the words of truth an
> SopeFness, they rarely failed of making an in,
pressl9h upon the minds of their audience am
ootaihinga number of signatures of persons as
Stunning an obligation not to touch the uncleaI
thing, and though many retrogadad, still other
adhered These lecturers continued to apitat
7 the matter and to exhibit it in their true igbt-
they continued to keep up the impression whic
had originally been made,
Societies, instituted for the advancement n
the cause, next sprang into existence. State
meetings, held with the view of DISCUSSING tn
} SUBJECT, brought together many whose name
f were enrolled as members Secret association
banding together as brothers, and conioinin
> ITS temperance objects, with a beneficiary mo
tiYe, and restraining its members by bindin
: obligations, induced great numbers to com
e within their fold, The cause at this time. re
t celyed still greater impetus, which impelled
forward with rapid strides; and though thes
means were of mushroom existence, ephemera
IN their duration, excitant in their character
E lmpaFtlng force but for a moment, their inAu
! ence still abldes-the seeds which they hav
sown have sprung up, and though the paren
STOCK has WIted and decayed, the offsprings en-
grated with public sentiment have geFminate
until the fruits are universally dfGsed. Tn
change OF public sentiment, occasioned prima
rily by these means, still continues to act
These other influences were but exoitant i
then nature: their immediate effects but tran
, STORY.
GeOrg etOoOn, DEL, Oct. 10, 1854.
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