The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-02-23

TEMPERANCE MASS MEETING.
A portion Of the citizens Of Polk county
having assembled in the Court house in Ben
/ ton to consider the subject of Prohibition, by
/ law, Of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or
/ gained by calling Rev. J. l. MILBURN to tbs
/ Chair, aud J. IL ALEXANDER to the Secretary
ship
! The Chairman then explained the object o.
/ the meeting in a few brief remarks.
! On motion of Rev. J. n. Blackburn, the
/ Chairman appointed Messrs. James Sloan, Or
vii Caldwell and W. T. Mcconnell, a com
mittee to draft preamble and resolutions
expressive of the sense of the meeting in re-
gard to the policy of the friends Of Prohibi'
tiOn as q principle.
Mr. Jarnagin, of Athens, being present was
called upon to address the meeting, who re-
sponded TO the call Of many of the citizens
OF Polk county in an able address Of an hours
length. The speaker soon became warm and
impressive, being himself n constant and mr.
dent advocate of the glorious cause of peace
sobritty, and high toned system Of morals.
lie said that all men acknowledged that many
were the evils and sorrows of Iutemperance,
but, that as yet, the fell destroyer Of good
society, the peace of families, the purity OF
the Church, the strength Of civil government
and human souls, was stalking abroad in the
fair and otherwise peaceful land of Columbia.
The speaker discussed to some extent the
principle of Prohibition, and clearly showed
the propriety of Prohibitory law, its happy
effects, and great results upon the means, the
physical ability, and the intellectual and NOR
al powers of man. The speaker concluded
by appealing to the audience for the truth Of
his positions, and an earnest request that
Polk county should take part in the grand
scheme of moral reform.
The committee then declared themselves
ready to report, and submitted the follow
ing;
"lst That Prohibition is the only measure
that inspires US with hope.
"2d. That to secure this object it is our du-
ty to organize for the approaching legislative
canvass, by bringing out candidates, or en-
couraging and supporting those who favor
Prohibition as n principle, and who will com
nit themselves in behalf of proper legal ac-
ton on this subject.
sd. That the Chairman of this meeting
appoint three delegates to the Nashville Con-
vention on the 22d inst, to represent Polk
county, either in person or by proxy.
9th. That this meeting adjourn until the
first Monday in March next, for the purpose
of considering the action that may be had by
the Nashville Convention, and the steps ne.
cessary to be taken in view of it."
The Chairman then appointed Messrs. L. II.
Dunn, W. f. Mcconnell and Napoleon Reed,
delegates to the Convention at Nashville, on
behalf of this meeting.
The report of the committee was then put
before the house, and almost entirely unani-
mously adopted and approved, the yeas being
many and the noes two, and the last one OF
the two very dry and choked up voice.
Huzza! huzza !! for Prohibition, and down
with the liquor traffic.
The hour was fraught with interest. and
we hope will speak in tones of thunder to
the makers and vendors ofintoxicating drinks
yet so as to maintain the honors and primer
pies of national greatness.
On motion,
ResolUed, That the Athens Post he furnish
ed a copy of the proceedings of this meeting
with a request to publish them; that the
Cleveland dispatch" and Banner" copy.
The house then adjourned to meet on thu
first Monday in march.
Benton, February IS. 1855.
J. l.. MILBURE, Claim.
i III AIETANDFR Scc'X