Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-04-30
For the Delaware Republican.
AN nIn SuRJECT

Temperance is backneyed subject, and has
been so much before the people in every con-
ceivab.e shape and manner, that many regard
it as having "served its day." while others
deem themselves too respectable, ifyou please,
TO ming gle with the antiquated, Questionable
philapthropis.s who yet cling TO the good old
cause as though it still had some saving
power, ard might yet be modernzed to suit
the exigencies OF the times. Among those
who thus treat the subject OF temperance,
there are ministers.aud men of piety and pray
er, whose labors are given exclusively to the
churches where they respectively worship, as
if the ain OF drunkenness were confined to the
church going portion of the people-or as if
all their Efforts were necessary to keep the
faithful in tue right way. II really seems as
if temperance were no now as much part of
christianity as it once was; and it is obvious
that under this regime, the means Of intemper-
ance are being increased and multiplied ex-
tensively.
Granting that the clergy who content them
selves with making occasional thrusts from
the pulpit, may presume to answer for the rec
titude OF their respective congregations, what
is 10 become OF the million outside who come
not within the sound of the gospel as 1t is
preached rom fashionable pulpits2 Can no
scheme be devised TO induce men of means,
and moral influence, to take some decided
stand against the prevailing vice OF drunken
ness--sOme plaH that will commend itself to
the endug members of the different churches,
and that would secure the services of clergy
men, and such other public tspeakers as might
be deemed credilsble companions to them on
the PLATFORM la order to redeem the cause
in Wilminglcn from its present perilous posi-
tiou, propose, sir, that the ministers Of the
different churches be requested to name a
leading aad Influential member from each con-
greRation who shall Jointly constitute Il COM
mittee oil ways aud means,to enlighten the cit
zers outside the churches--to arouse them 10
right sense of the danger that threatens
them, and secure faithful exhibit of the
spirituous liquor and lager beer business, so
tina! the subject shall receive at least univer-
sal attention.
am not alone in believing that such men
as Taylor Cause OF Grace Church, George G.
Lobdell Of the "New Church." John T. Robin
son of St Paul's, George W. Bush of the Oen-
trail, Judge Hall OF Hanover, Washington Jones
OF the Baptist, Thomas Titus Of Asbury, and
Stephen Postles OF the Union, might form
committee oil sufficient power to bring the
moral influence Of the people to bear in this
matter SO as TO prevent the youth of the city
from being overwhelmed with the temptation
| to drunkenness. Nor would it be expecting
too much of the deliberate wisdom of such
a movement as might prove eifectual in over
turning the iniquitous institutions that are
deuging our Stale with tho waters OF death.
The people throughout the country are ready
and willing to give their hearty cooperation
to any scheme or organization that has the
| approval aud support of pectable, pious,
and intelligent community OF Wilmington
| Recentlylwherever temperance meetings have
been held in any OF the rural districts adJacant
the people have shown eagerness to resus-
ctate the cause OF temperance that ought TO
stmelste those who can work, and who might
work efectually in subduing It rebellion that
| has cost the country much more blood and
| treasure, than the ONE which has just sue
| cumbed to the loyal hearts ana strong arms Of
! our "Boys in Blue." The moral power con-
| centrated in such a committee when clothed
| with executive authority, would assuredly
| command the CO operation cfall the instrumen-
| taliies throughout the State necessary to So
cure the enactment of prohbitory liquo. law,
| and maintain such a Law in successful opera
tion until the righteousness Of the leading
principle involved in it should be acknowl-
| edged and respected by all classes OF citizens,
and by all political parties. No man questions
| the right OF prohibiting murder, theft, or ar
| con by Law, nor can it be questioned that We
| have the right 10 legislato against all crimes
| that come clearly within the same category
| At present, however, the temperance cause is
| in the hands of II party whose NJ .ce donian
cry hos for q long time fallen listlessly on tn,
religious ear, except in SO far as it has ELECTED
Il repetition of the old question, "Can there
any good thing Come out of Nazareth2"-
Christian ity is constantly suffering from this
state of things. viii the relig ious community
therefore he pleased 10 give assistance without
| further delay in this old but honest enterprise?
April &c, 1866. NJ.