The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-25
HI B.iiNOBLE, u 4.
-. RI THOMPSON,
r. Al. BRADLEY.
z. IT. ,, . Committee,
J Wtlshsalton, October Z, 1857.

- Il yonlTn ftnAr
id:t u Ras&agtoa, October I, 1857.
TO GSoneE SAVAGE, ESQ. ; t.,,,t1Fsf 4
Ssai Since the general conversation / had with
you few days ago in regard to the present state Of
the Tsnpsrancesquestion in this cty-and the
which have operated to produce the change in pub
Lie opinion on that subject within the last yesor six
yesIs have been led to reflect seriously and anx-
ioHsly on the subject. And the more have thought
the lsss am satisfied with myself in the rctrospec
toa. At every step, see more and moro plainly,
that humble as am, have not done my own duty,
and that must to the extent of all that could and
might have dsne, and have failed to dolto prevent
IT AXE my full share Of the blame and the shame,
of the shange which has, at least, apparently come
over the people of the city. g.'ss'I IL UNI eU 81
But the first question which arises aud presses
upon the mind IS; Has the change. which appears
net the real opiaioh and del5erate jdqasnt Of the
people of Washington, at this moment as strongly
snd decidedly, dgdinst and aractics of drink
40 tntorsdting liquors as ii was five years ago2 And
II 30, why the apparent difference which has struck
ysu, as it has Others, with SO much concern2
do not know that any effort OF mine can aid in
answering these questions but it is time that some
Thing was done BY somebody TO rouse the city from
walls, and to stay the tide Of intemperance which
now sweeps over ii. There are amongst as hearts
and minds able to do il, if they can be united and
stimulated 70 acton: But how can this be DONE and
rho will undertake its To ease, somewhat, my own
mind, have concluded to state to YOU briefly my
own experience in connexion with the cause nv
recollection Of things as they were and as they exist
nop hoping thereby to provoke other and ADLER men
10 renew their lab0rs of love. lit" ri n
NY hrst connection with the Temperance cause was
N Kentucky, about the year 1872. Joined an old
fashioned association whose pledge was one of sim
deserving the privilege of using wine. cider. potter
~ Like all societies of the kind this after lnger.
mg on siekly existence died out; Joined other
aah and half Societies, but none Of them seemed TO
20 good When the Washngonian movement COM
baltimore oln
NJ seriously drawn to the subject and when that
eanse was ssponsed in this CITY, and the general sub
rs discussed with. an eloquence and power which
lad never before heard by Thos.a f. Marshal Geo
DrgH and others, i considered il nv duty 10
isfn with the Oh FSssman'S VioiInnt and there
hnt ssoame acquainted with you as a Temperance
ns.. A stzen, and especially as a father, i felt
yssSeon, and as far as could give my influence and
example IN favor OF Temperance fi7i'a t'E-
Soon after this found myself associated in nv
r.sne empioymsnts withtwo noble generous-he
nenr-wAo after long habit Of moderate drinking
pa become deeidedly ntemperateh This was seen in
ne street In the tavern and places of drinking. to
nsn tney were accustomed 10 resort and was talked
= mere 40 svoId observation, these places were
Ne more obseure and less reputable grop shops.
Ihsre they imagined they could more safely and
nsy indulge their appetite for strong drink and
sspe we nonce o. those whose good opinion il was.
neir drinking from the public eye bnt the witness
SPnet them appeared IN their blctched faces inther
nerves, and more especially in the wretch
o. ther own families; and soon, the heads of
- bqrsau b which they we're attached began 10
AZ about IT. saw that ruin was 5sfore nan. and
1y saw it This reused me 10 a realizing sense Of
s ssornity Of the vice. Of the strength Of the habit
mn 10 sep pUwss n1. % force intelligent
pseacie, sounselled and warned them as plainly
and faihfully as couldr With tears of bitterness
az s1piassed the whole and tod me had heard
a., i,s. On IA now they wept over the agonies Of
tnem OF the resolutions tiey had from tifne T.
tne made; they felt that they could Law down their
ns5 com thar hearts blood to give peace, colnfort
hsm but that burning thru that ragged within tbeml
ey could not stand t. bat were cotipeied 10 run 10
NE grog shop and appease i'll there was neither
ms, % rs. without It Gladly, most eagerly would
sewn-to dshonored grave they must coq ,huy
NV II distinctly before them. In this situation.
Esnst they We're yet rekng with the fumes of alco,
No no. ,h On tns verge Of dsrian trenens took bem
~ tne nand, and told themiif they had courage 10
blow me would take them 10 4 place ~ rsi,ee,
Ins1r eyes sparkled, and they said lead on and we
wi follow took them 10 an eating bo,ise and
G,1Sreo PLAN dinner Of which they artook spar
~ They assented and talked but LITTLE tbougb tbey
looked dreadfully. Icalled hack. and we droye r.
p5laoensourg, we got out at the epd S5}i76. and
p.nrnad esy o. the water As night approached we
and without lerng they & e. ny s Ss NIX
tnern Liberties Division Of the Con. ~ Ternnaranee
unere tnsy and myself were made !" Sons of TEN,
psrsnce. took thom horris and left tbeTn nm AZ
reiusst that they would nee me the newt orn;na
Lnsy dld so with bright faces, declaring that Ike
y san'ng m,r~ :oas gone, and they had left behind
men 1 cheerful, happy families. g 6fr 1917
inus was myself made Sen Of Tt1,Derqnee and
thus became connected with the regularly ORGANIZED
societies Tor promoting the casse ~ Tsrnperance
for had arranged the prelininaries of our initiation
through with IT, af's1pYei ~ 'i ~ y w
There were at that time Eve Divisions Of the Sons
IN this district TWAS afterwards sed t
there were also several Tents of Recbab;tes Win
sections or Cadets" attached TO tber, haviy,,, XXI
their object the training Of the Young Tooetbar t
numbered membership of about me IA 49,
who met together weekly TO take COUNSEL how tbey
esuld most sfectually draw their neipbbors nd ~
sociars from the fires Of intemperance and elevate
nem 70 the dignity and responsibility Of 1asp-ndns
wlous, SOBER, chrsttdn man. They did more they
consulted how they could succor the sick and com
tort the bereaved and the suffering Il have ofton
renected with pleasure upon these associations IN
y true their workings were often family and inner
hst but ct heart they We're sound Ana f,l ,be
nsn were true type Of society made mn ~ sver,,
grade ofinteect business and habits ~ l;ff
sssts and political opinions Band ~
soeiated on common PLATFORM for the soe nurnrso
Of saving themselves and their fellow men from he
sin and curse Of ntemperapee The fundsr,sntsl
arhsls OF their association was the total and absolute
e.sen q s-wythips relafpg to party politics. and
p0 N.eshsssss; syssy sas bsinr lea frss 70
tfnU HITf . B.