The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-11-02
The Annual Meeting of the yirginiH
Grand Dirision IF Sais Of temperance.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE nIcnnosD DAILY DISPATCH

LEXINGTON, VA, Oct 80. 1857
The annual meeting of the Grand Division Of
the Sons Of Temperance of Virginia, commenced
its session in this place, on the 2Sth inst Upwards
Of forty delegates were in attendance, large por
ton of whom were from this and the adjacent
counties. Six years ago similar meeting
held here, when double the number of delegates
representing a very large and influential associa-
ton, were assembled from all parts of the State
The Order is still sustained by a considerable num-
ber, but from some cause many Of its most promi-
nent and Jealous members have either ceased TO
take any Interest i'll its operations or like drown
ing rats deserting a sinking ship have withdrawn
entirely from the brotherhood. Its influence for
good however, is still felt and acknowledged and
if its career shall be really drawing to close as
seperate and distinct organization, there's many
heart that will be panied when the intelligence Of
LIS last gasp shall he proclaimed
On 1hn ay evening, Mr.. Thomas ]. Evans. Of
your city, who is the JrOSpaia of the Order. ad
dressed small audience in the Presbyterian
church. Being the Secretary of the Grand Division.
Mr.. Il. had but little time to make any special
preparation for the address, but rs he is all the
time well pcs ed up il was not difficult task fol
hin TO TX up a temperance speech which would
be listened to with interest The address was well
received, and eyinced ereditable talent a public
speaker. 1t seemed to be the chief object of Mr
L. to combat the idea that the organization was
falling into the scar and the yellow lesfand while
he admitted that the waves of opposition had run
high, and the storm had shivered some of the tim
bers and rent the sails of the Temperance ship
he believed she would yet bs able to ride safely
above the angry waters, and overcoming all OBJ
staeles, glide smoothly on to its destined haven
But if his fondest hopes shall be blasted lie for one
could ask no better fate than TO go down with the
ship, if sink she must, like the gallant Herndon
and leave memory as beloved aud honored as his
will ever be-
IN speaking of the recent Introduction of tn
fashiona ! weaker drinks ms substitute for whis-
key and kindred poisons, he warned the audien ,e
of the mild influence of lager as deceptive and
dangerous. He gave amusing account of IT, g
p9hlicaI meetings held previous to the last ele3-
ton in your city, when lager beer acted SO con-
sneuous part In the canvass, and of the large
number Of drinking saloons that have been fitted
~ there TO meet the demands. He also referred
to the prohbtory law now the statute books of
Virginia, and handled the legal question as to the
traffic In ardent spirits in admirable style.
Northern Methodist preacher followed Mr.. Z.
with a few nnimportant and rather dcll remarks
and DR.. White closed the meeting with prayer.
Mr.. John Long, Of Lynchburg. was the presiding
officer, and opened the meeting with an excellent
and very appropriate prayer.
The Grand Division closed its sessions this morn.
Ing at O'Clock. The next semi annual meeting
will be held In April, at Bridgewater, Rockingham
county, and the annual meeting, at the usual time
ia October, at Christiansburg Montgomery county.
DR.. J. r. Jordan, Of this place, was elected Grand
Worthy Patriarch for the ensuing term. Thai
this election will gye the highest qualification to
the friends Of the order throughout the State, no