The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-05-29

ample provision for the hospitable entertainment
of the N. D. free Of charge-we are still bound
to make such timely and judicious arrangements
for conducting the exercises during the few days
We are to, remain in the city, as shall most
successfully and powerfully promote the interests
of the great cause which calls US together.
Whilst shall not presume to submit pro
gramme for the occasion it may not be.amiss to
suggest that social meeting Of the Order
generally on Tuesday night preceding the appoin.
ted day for the National Division to meet would
afford pleasant opportunity for us to formally
welcome that distinguished Body to the State
and city, and our own members the privilege
Of an evenings fraternal association with the
gallant leaders of Temperance in North Ameri-
ca before official distinctions and the pre-.
scribed order Of conducting business shall
separate US for a time, and close the door upon
all not entitled to wear Red and Blue Regalia.
beg also to suggest that as but few mem.
bers OF the Grand Division are entitled to seats
in the N. D. and as We are to have called
session, would it not be we'll for the G. ID. to
continue in session all the time tho N. u. re-
mains with us, ofcourse in seperate Halls, giving
deliberate consideration to the affairs of our Or.
der generally, and enjoying frequent opportuni-
ties to mingle with aud hear the stirring ad-
dresses of the ablest and most distinguished
champions Of Temperance in America?
fthis suggestion meets with favor, may,
if it shall be deemed proper, submit to the
called meeting of this Body an Extra Report
embracing such recommendations for the good
of the Order as will probably afford topics for
I dic ond oof;on fbo
Until quite recently our Order has been
making scarcely any progress in this State
indeed, there is too much reason to fear that in
several districts steps have been taken backward.
The extraordinary commercial embarrassments
and the extreme severity of the past winter
will account for our reyerses. But, feel
constrained to say that there is no sufficient
excuse for the lifeessness of our operations the
present year. We are pledged to advance the
interest" ofthe cause Of Temperance, as we'll as
to total abstinence ourselves. There is therefore,
inconsistency in the conduct of Sons of TEN.
perance who would not on any account violate
Art. End, but stand still and do absolutely noA-
ing for the Order.
Within few weeks however there is some
improvement in several quarters, and think it
not unreasonable to hope that the year so iuau.
spiciously begun may yet end prosperously.
On Saturday last, assisted by few of the
brethren from Bennettsville Division No. As,
organized new Division at Clio IN Marlboro
District with some ls charter members to begin
with. This new Division which is to be known
as Clio Division No. commences with promi.
sing prospects and is destined in my opinion to
rank high in the Order which has just welcomed
it to our fraternal circle.
Cheraw Division No. 81 has been greatly re-
vived the past quarter, and encouraging reports
are communicated to me unof6cialy from several
Districts-besides the accompanying quarterly
s., E. w. Clarkson, A. B. Towers Henry Sum-
mer, l. Caughman, J. B. McCully, J. L. Bell,
Ebenezer Tbayer, r. A. Elliott, and J. Holman,
which are full of interesting details, and trust
the Grand Division will order them read and
referred with this to the usual committee.
Referring to the remarks had the honor to
make in my, last Report on the subject of De-
grees L have to add that time will be required
to test the experiment.
Most of the Divisions have taken no official
notice of them-others have decided not to in
troduce tlrem, and in one or two where it has
been decided to confer the Degrees, it was done
in the face Of some opposition.
In Others still their introduction has been
agreeably effected, and hopes are expressed that
good results will follow.
As is evident that all good Sons of Tenn
perance are not perfectly agreed on this subject,
it is fortunate that every subordinate Division is
at perfect liberty TO- receive or reject them, and
earnestly recommend therefore that wherever
strong opposition arrays itself against the intro
duction Of this new feature in oursystem, that
time and free discussion shall be allowed to re-
conce conflicting opinions.
The South Carolina Temperance Standard,
commenced soon after the publication Of the
Temperance Advocate was suspended, has been
conducted with ability and with much advan-
tage to our cause. The enterprise is a private
one, in other words, it is understood to be owned
and published by single member of this body,
who is willing to devote the necessary time and
talents required, If the subscription list can be
increased to a number that will pay the actual
expenses incident to its publication. Surely this
is reasonable and all that we could desire. But,
it would be unreasonable to expect the paper to
continue at its present very low subscription
price without liberal patronage. It is very de-
sirable that our Order should have a common
medium through which to communicate with
each other freely from every part Of the State.
The advantage OF such fraternal intercourse has
already been felt and witnessed to some extent,
but increased circulation is necessary as well to
give us the llbene6t Of general communication
with each other, as to sustain the paper ITSELF
! The attention of the G. D. Is called to the
subject, not with the view of inducing official
action, but that Representatives may, if they
concur with me, make exertions onAheir return