The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-09
APPEAL
TO THE
FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE
In Washington,
JUNIOR ORDER OF RECHABrrEs,
GEORGE WASHINGTON TENT,
FOR UNION AND CoNcrRr, OF ACTION.

(lsLAND,)
Having learned that an eminent friend of Tempe
rance had appealed TO a member of our Order to
unite in effort to- revive the cause Of Temperance
in the cy--which had called forth letter IN reply,
giving his view Off the said cause, present md past
appointed the undersigned committee TO ask per-
mission to publish the same. This permission was
readily granted, and we hereto annex It. II VIII be
found to contain matters Of deep interest to this
munity-matters which ought to be known TO ALL
and especially pondcred upon by the friends Of Tenn
peraiice, of good order and of religion. Let no one
be deferred by its length from reading il through.
We are also directed to publish The following
lutions, which have been adopted, to carry out, as
far as we can, the views suggested in said letter.
!. Resoleed That memorial to the Mayor be cir
culated for signatures, praying m to grant no
license for the retail of intoxicating liquors, without
requiring the applicant Of said license to post up in
two conspicuous places the certificates Of the six
treeholders and the Recommendation Of the majority
Of the white housekeepers on the square, with all
Of the freeholders and housekeepers therein,
countersigned by the Commissioner Of Improve
ments for at least two weeks, TO afford the nhabi
tants Of the locality time to investigate the same,
and know who il is that recommends said tavern or
shop.
I'd. Resoloed, That we will cordially unite in hold
ing public meetings. and in all suitable ways use our
best exertions to persuade our feow-citizens to
abandon the use of all intoxicating liquor as bey-
erage. fs4
H. b. NOBLE.
J. r. THOMPSON,
+. NJ. BRADLEY,
Committee.
Washington, October 2, 1857.
To GEORGE SAVAGE, ESQ
SIR: Since the general conversation / had with
you few days ago in regard to the present state Of
the Temperance question in this city-and The catses
which have operated to produce the change in pub
lie opinion that subject within the last i've or six
years, have been led to reflect seriously and anx-
iously the subject. And the more have thought,
the less am satisfied with myself in the RETROSPECT
ton. At every STEP, see more and more plainly,
that humble as am, L have not done my own duty,
and that must 10 the extent of all that could and
might have done, and have failed to do to prevent
it. take my full share of the blame and the shame,
OF the change which has, at least apparently come
over the people Of the city.
But the first question which arises and presses
upon the mind, is: Has the change, which appears
SO manifest in point Of fact really taken placer Is
people Of Washington, at this moment as strongly
and decidedly against tie habit and practice Of drink
ing Intoxicating hQurs as i was five years agos And
if So why the apparent difference which has struck
You, as it has Others, with so much concerni
do not know. that any effort of mine aid in
answering these questions but il is tme'that some
thing was done by somebody, to rouse the city from
vails and to stay the tide of intemperance which
now sweeps over it. There are amongst us hearts
and minds able 70 do il, If they can be united and
stimulated to action But hon can this be done, and
who will undertake it? To case, somewhat my own
mind, have concluded to state to you, briefly, my
own experience in connexon with the cause, my
recollection Of things as they were aud they exist
moao, hoping thereby to provoke other and ADLER
to renew their labors Of love. IL
Ny first connection with the Temperance cause was
IN Kentucky, about the year 1922, joined an old
fashioned association, whose pledge was one of sim
reseryipg the privilege Of using wine, cider, porter
&c Like all societies of the kind this after lnger
ing on sickly existence died out i joined other
half and half Societies, but none Of them seemed TO
do good. When the acknowledgements COM
menced in Baltimore my attention was more closely
and seriously drawn 10 the subject, and when that
cause was cspoused in this city, and the general sub
pes dcssea with an ds,oqaspee and power which
~ Briggs and others. l considered il my duty TO
Join with the OH FreonaNs pIgilant, and there
hrst became acquainted with you, as a Temperance
1T solemn duty to take OPEN Ia5Le stand on this
question, and as far as could give my influence and
example In favor OF Temperance
Soon after this, found myself associated In my
public employmens with two noble gcBerous-hearfed
men-who after a long habit of moderate drinking
had become decidedly incorporate. This was seen In
the street in the tavern and places Of drinking 70
which they were accustomed 10 resort and was talked
Of there. To avoid observation, these places were
deserted, or visited less frequently and they took 10
The more obscure and less reputable Rrog shops
There they imagined they could more safely and
freely indulge their appetite for strong drink, and
escape the notice OF those whose good opinion was
their interest TO maintain. Vain Hopel They hid
their drinking from the public eye but the witness
appeared IN their botched faces in their
trcmuous nerves. and more especially in the wretch
edness of their families and soon the heads of
The bureau TO which thy were attached began 10
Aux about it. ] saw that ruin was btore them, and
they saw j. This reused me 70 a realizing sense Of
the enormty Of the vice. Of the strength ~ tbe habit
which had power thus 10 force intelligent respectable
men 10 degradation and shame. Moved by this
spectacle. counselled and warned them az plainly
ano intniuuy as could. With tears Of bitterness
they confessed the whole and told me had not heard
the ball. OIL how they wept over the agonics Of
their wives, told me Of their entreafcs and prayers
70 them, OF the resolutions they had from time 10
nme made they felt that they could Law down their
lives, coin their hearts blood 10 give peace comfort
and happiness 10 the dear ones whom God had given
them; but that burning thirst that ragged within them
they could not stand IT, but were compelled 10 run 70
the grog shop, and appesse III there was neither
Ite or rest without IL Gladly. most eagerly would
they ny from II; but there was refuge and down
down-to dishonorcd grave they must goi they
saw u distinctly beiere them. In this SITUATION,
whilst they were yet rekng with the fumes Of alec.
hol, on the, verge Of delirium tremens took them
BY the band, and told them IL they had courage 70
follow me would take them to place Of refuge
WI follow. ! took then % an eating house and
ordered plain dinner Of which they partook spar
ingly. repeated 10 them, you ,ausf coss me JEnd.
W. They assented and talked but little, though they
looked dreadfully IcaIled hack and we drove %
Bladensburg, we got out ut the Spa Spring. and
drank freely Of fhe water. As night approached we
returned to The city and stopped al 7smpsrano. H1,
and without faterng they followed me into the Nor.
them Liberties Division Of the Sons Of Temperance,
where they aud myself were made "Sons of TEN,
perance.' took them home and left them with the
request that fhey would see me The next morning.
They DID 90, with bright faces declaring that t6c
ounsng Mra ssds gone, and they had left behind
them cheerful happy families
Thus was myself made Son Of 7smp~oace, and
thus became connected with The regularly organized
societies for promoting the cause Of Temperance.
LOT hsd arranged the prelimnaries Of our Initiation
before hand trusting in their confidence in me 70 20
through with IL + - = -
There were At that time fve Divisions Of the Sons
IN this district twas afterwards increased 4, seyen
there were also several Tents Of Rechabites. with
sechons OF Cadets attached TO them, having for
their object the training Of the young Together bev
numbered membership Of about one thousand men.
who met together weekly 30 take counsel how they
could most ehectuay draw their neiehbors and a..
socaies rom the tires Of intemPerance and eleyat,