The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-12-07

Temperance in Indiana.

1t cannot beconcealed that in Indiana,
as in other States, the cause of Temper
ance has been held in allowance for
severaIyears by the more exciting in
terests of the war and of the question
forced upon us before the war began, by
those who were preparing to destroy our
Government. In the opinion of good
men and true, the time has come fo-
again bringing il into the front rank. and
making II q lading question in every
department u life How necessary this
is need Tot argue. The ten thousands
of houses of dissipation which are every
where Shaving more At home than disease
and battles combined are shaving in the
army. speak too plainly TO be misunder.
stood: while there is a spontaneity in
public sentiment calling for something
decisive which is truly encouraging
What can be done: Evidently moth
ing without combination and concert
How shall this be effected In antici-
patton of this necessity, circular was
issued early last Summer and addressed
to many leading temperance men in
different parts of the State requesting
them to meet in this city on the I2th OF
July, to take counsel, and devise meas
ures for an early and efficient orcaniza-
ton of the temperance forces of Indiana.
\ respectable number met, and, after a
full conference, it was determined to
organize new society, combining such
features of former and present aSsocia
ton as were deemed best calculated to
meet the present wants of the question.
1t is not intended to supersede any
present organization, or to he antagOnis-
tic to any, but TO he Il colatorer, and en-
al,
prefer the details of this.
1t is denominated The Temperance
Host OF Indiana It contemplates the
organization of subordinate camps in
every town in the State. Its obligation
is more comprehensive than any pledge
heretofore taken, being designed to meet
thenew phases which intemperance has
assumed. 1t not only requires total ab
stInence, but it requires its members to
bring every possible social, pecunIary,
and political power to bear against the
enemy. 1t contemplatcs admitting on
equal terms both male and female The
details Of its business are to be strictly
con raband, while its ritual and con-titu
ton may lie public. Learning q lesson
from past campaigns. one leading feature
will be the accumulation Of the sinews
of war; hence q large per cent. Of all
incomes is to 90 into a general fund to
be used for prosecuting the war which is
to be made vigorously and relentles5ly
on the enemy in our midst.
The temperance question did not enter
at all into the late election canvass in
Indiana: hence It is proposed to circulate
petitions to the next Legislature. asking
for a suitable law to prohibit tipling
houses. 1t is believed that a considerable
majority of each branch Of the Legisla-
ture elected will favor 4 very string
prohibitory law. ~ this organize
of the temperance army of Indiana con
to fight on and fight ever. no
better time to begin can he found than
the present. The following is the obliga
ton:
I'VE solemly promise, before God and
and man, to maintain true faith and al
legiance 20 the cause of Temperance; to
war increasingly against ali its enemies
and opposers: to abstain wholly from
the traffic and use of Intoxicating liquors
as n beverage: to not SO furnish them to
our social guests, nor be social guests
where they are so furnished; to not traffic
with those who so traffic in them, nor to
lend our influence in any way to those
who favor such traffic We furthermore
promise to promptly obey our superiors
in all things appertaining to the TEMPER
ance war, and to hold as strictly private
and contraband every transaction of the
camp.
If the features of the organization. as
here cpitiomized, strike any one iayora-
bly,, further information. with i copy Of
the Constitution, will be cheerlHi5y civ
en- on application by letter or otherwise,
to me. It is hoped that several hundred
camps may be organized within the next
three months.
T \. GOODWIN.
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. Ii, lS64
p s. Editors in Indiana, f1endly to
temperance, are respectfully requested to
copy.
Agricultural Statistics.