Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-09

"THE Sons OF TEMPERASCE."-A the presi ding
officer of the Grand Division OF Virginia, BODY
which verify believe could not have been estaD-
shed ut this time but for the mpaCabe spirit OF its
present accusers, denounce the attempt when Is
now made bv some who were formerly Identified
with it, to render it unpopular. They have no more
right to believe what they insnuate 0f It's member
Ship present or prospective, than they have TO De,
lieve the same of the new order OF !" Friends oil
Temperance" to which they belong, and which they
are daily bringing into discredit by their efforts to
put down the Sons of Temperance.
Without designing to have controversy with
anonymous, irresponsible writers give two simple
facts for the consideration of the public:
l. There was at the last meeting Of the National
Division, proposal laid before il to encourage the
formation of separate negro associations, which
were to have passwords, TO be used by themselves
alone and which, while they should be under the
auspices, care and counsel of the National DI-
vision should enjoy q" no intercourse or interchange
of reports and communications with the other
branch of the order without their consent lSee
page forty.one, minutes of 1863. This proposition
was not adopted but referred to a special commit
tee with instruction to report at the next session.
Being the last action OF the National DIVISION, 1t
upsets all the facts of q previous date alleged by
writer in the Times, none of which, however had
the force, at any time of legislative action.
If a proposition TO exercise some sort OF paterna
control a., . respectful distance, over our former
slaves who are even now our fellow members IN the
Church. with a view TO deliver them from the evils
of intemperance, had been made in the Council of
the Friends of Temperance of Virginia" would 1t
have brought Odium upon its authors Ought H.
when offered without success in distant hGay-of
which we were no paTt-to bring stain upon US }
But this is by the way.
> The second fact is this The Sons OF Temper.
ance Of the Grand Division of Virginia, having re-
ceiyed lner charter without any concessions this
or any other subject have declared, weeks ago, in
general convention, their purpose only to retain it
on these terms; and have adopted resolution fore
warning the National Division that She mere Ggta
ton by it of any such question is fraught with ex
IRENE peril to any connection of Southern Organiza
tions with that body.
At the same convention, the Sons of Tempe
rancer declared that they saw in the existence Of
two distinct organizations in Virginia " no ground
for controversy or ungenerous rivalry" and ex.
pressed their fraerna feelings towards the Order OF
The Friends Of Temperance"
With these views aud feelings, the b" Son" must
of course deeply regret the conduct of any among
the =" Friends of Temperance who have started
questions which have no practical bearing except 10
prejudice the minds OF the community against their
ielow-ctizens and fellow-aborers in the cause Of
temperance.
This much we know: They have injured them
selves and the Order of Friends of Temperance more
than they can ever harm the Order OF SOUS, against
whom their efforts are directed.
Springfield Division of tue SOas OF Temperance
10 which belong, and Which Is tile principal suDOf
dnate Division Of the present Grand Division Of
Virginia. is the only Division Of the Sons of Tenn.
parancer in Virginia, or anywhere in the South, so
FAR as | know, which survived the war. Having
participated in the organization of the Friends of
Temperance" and only left that body, and left it
reluctantly, because my Division thus honored by
its fidelity refused to unite with il, have anXOusy
endeavored to promote harmony between the two
Orders in Virginia with a view to co .operaton if
not to final union. Hence | deeply deplore the
spirit which has animated these unjust and ungene.
rous public ations. They do not am sure repre-
sent the " Friends Of Temperance but they do
have the effect to widen breach between the TEN.
perance men of Virginia and 10 confirm many of US
in purpose to adhere to the Grand Division Of Viz
GINA, rather than seek utilization in the Councils
of the Friends of Temperance with those who
have treated us in this manner.
Inc same cause will, among the Just ana gener'
Gus people OF Virginia attract friends and members
10 the Order of the Sons of Temperance, and give
an importance which it could not have attained by
the side of the new Order of the Friends without
persecution. +: b. PRICE,
P. Sit is proper to state distinctly that me re-
fusal of the Richmond Divisions 70 unite with the
Friends Of Temperance was largely due to pri-
yate exhibitions of thai unkind spirit which has re.
Gently vented itself in the newspapers and TO their
view of certain unconstitutional action taken by
other Divisions, in order to effect the new organi
cation, about which honest men had a right to diff
fer, ph9-h,