American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-04-12
For tho American Union.
Published at eanantnons request Of Brandoneiiis
Division, Sons Of Temperance.

80 y HOAA IMAM w ES I1N AL
AT BRANpoNyILLE, PRESTON CO., VA.
On the 22d Of February, 1856, the
Sons and visiting Sisters of tho Bran
donyillc Division, 8. of r., met at their
Hall, and after the Introductory exer-
cises, the joyous yet solemn assemblage
was introduced by the sisters to table
reaching across the Hall, magnifccnt-
~ provided by their own fair hands,
with every inviting and desirable edi-
bic that the country could contributes.
This generous token of their zeal in the
glorious cause was, however, withheld
until one of their number, sister HAN
NAH E.CRANE, prcscntedto III. HAGANs
Esq, the following address to the Di-
vision, and requested him to read it -
WORTHY PATRIARCH: gfa4
If you do not consider it too
great an innovation, or derogatory to
your own dignity, and that of the 9TH
er members of this Division, to be adj
dressed by a feminine, we would re-
spectfully offer a very few thoughts
upon the subject Of the Temperance
Reform, in connection with the inter-
est and happiness of our own SEX
| We would here (and we are sure all our
sister visitors will cordially join with
us) express our appreciation of the
privilege extended to US of becoming
members of this division, and the deep
and warm interest we take in it's well
fare and success. Some, indeed many,
object to ladies becoming members of
Temperance Societies: that they have
any good or we'll founded reasons for
so Directing, we cannot at all perceive.
a great deal has been said of late
years about Women's Rights, but we
have ever looked with distrust and dis
appreciation upon the bold schemes of
restless, discontinued minds. Quoting
the sentiment of one of our most cell
ebrated and honored female writers:
"We sincerely hope that our sex may
not again be tempted by pride, or GU
riosity, or glazing words, to forfeit
their own Eden" But has it not al
ways been woman's undoubted right to
aid in all works Of charity and mercy :?
And why, in the name of moral reform
and human happiness, has she not q
perfect right to become an active and
uncompromtsing enemy Of the most
frequent destroyer Of the happiness
and comfort in this life. Our sex in
general are not sufficiently awake to
their. true interest and duty in relation
to this subject. While many suffer
from the effects of intemperance who
have no participation in the sin, there
are others who encourage it, either by
silent acquiesccnce or by open example
| and influence There are Mothers
with families growing up around them,
and husbands not entirely free from
the control of appetite, who keep de-
canters and glasses constantly upon
their sideboards, and serve their guests
freely with the collaborating liquid
Are they not rewarded for thus "sow-
ing to the aOind 2" Yes, they are re.
warded; their sons como homo to them
rccling, staggering drunkards, and then
they reap the WhirlaOind! ] have
seen the wives eff poor, bloated, dis
gushing inebriates, who, on account of
wealth OF family influence, were still
countenanccd by society, stand by their
sides in the gay assembly and partake
with them of the bright red wine, try
ing to make the world believe there was
nothing wrong; that they were still
happy and contented, with 6,utes for
husbands. But their own sunkcn eyes
and pallid checks told plainly enough
Of their gildcd misery. Often, too, do
We sec thoughtlcss girlhood, with the
untold, untricd future before her, lend
her charmed influence to the already
fascinating cup, in Turing onward those
who, in after years, often carry her
with them, down, down, into the dismal
vale of shame, suffering, want, wretch
cdness and voc, where the victims of
uncontrolled appetite end their days.
Who, better than the poor drunkard's
wife, can tell of the hopeless wretchcd-
ness Of such lot, when the only hope
of refuge is the grave? And why is
this Why donot women exert them
selves more to avoid such fate and
free The world from such a monstrous
vice? l is because they have never
been properly trained to think and feel
and act upon this subject? If daugh-
tcrs wore trained to look upon habit
of drinking, in a gentleman las plague
spot upon his character, and sufficient
reason for avoiding his society if mo-
thors would implant itin the minds of
their youthful sons, that this vice alone
will bring them to ahorrible aid loathe-
some death, and exclude them from
heaven, would there DO such a uni
vcrsal excess in all grades of society d?