The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-07-17
GRAFTON
Delivered before the Good Templars on
the 5th of July, 1853.
By W. CLAUDE JONES, ESQ.

~ s<
pLars, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have assembled here to commemorate n
great and glorious event, which has land broad
and deep the foundations or political freedom and
the rights of man. 1t is the brightest mark of
mans progress on the highway OF time. IL is n
day sacred to humanity. IL belongs exclusively
to no kindred, cline or country, but wherever
the light of freedom has dawned through the
night OF despotism, or the dark clouds of oppres-
sion-wherever the pulse Of man throbs for lib
erty, this day is reyered and loved. In celebrat-
ing this day We celebrate the principle Of liberty
NOT American liberty Only-but the liberty OF
man. IL is m era in the onward and upward
march of the human race. And in mans progress
the time is fast arriving, when through the rapid
ity OF steam communication and the telegraphic
wire all mankind shall become one great brother
hood-when we shall meet upon the platform OF
freedom and shake the hand Of fraternity across
oceans and continents.
The great DECLARATION, that burst the yoke
and rent the tyrant's Chain on the 4th day ofJuly,
1I76, announced to the world principles that
belong to all mankind, and though IL marks the
birth OF American freedom, yet il will shine
through all time as a pillar of cloud by day and
n pillar OF FIRE by night to the oppressed and
down-trodIen Of every land. The Cuban patriot
as he battles for liberty on the cory fields Of his
sunny island, against the tyrannOus and barba-
rous hosts Of Spain, is cheered by the principles
Of that declaration-they animate his battle cry
Of freedom-they inspire his shout of victory
eqrahty Of rights!
IL is the worlds great charter Of liberty, wrung
from power and sealed by the blood Of those
heroes Of the American Revolution who fought
and won the great battle OF humanity. All man
kind should rejoice and make glad over it, for it
extends equal rights to all men. Like the glori-
Gus star-spangled banner of that heaven-favored
land, it invites all the inhabitants of the earth to
come beneath its protecting Egis.
We also meet here to declare the principles of
that social and moral freedom which our Order
represents, and for which we IRE now battling in
the great struggle Of humanity, against an enemy
mors powerful than all the princes, potentates
and powers Of the earth. We have girded on
the armor of moral rectitude, we have armed our
selves with the weapons of truth, we have pledged
our sacred honor in support Of the cause and in
voked the aid of heaven. As equality or right is
the only true principle of liberty, 50 total absti-
hence is the only true principle of Temperance.
There is no halfway ~ground-there is no COM
promising a great principle, or n great truth.
The battle must be fought upon that line, and
upon that line alone. We must not deyiate from
the principle of total abstinence, if we contcm-
plate a complete victory,
1t has been said that eternal vigilance is the
price Of liberty, and the maxim may be truly
applied to the vital principle that lies at the
foundation Of our Order. Long years OF patient
anI o,I,rsr. foiI 1F -.ry sfrnrrI.a nm The b.ftla
field, Of hunger, thirst and cold, OF long retreats
and marches with tired and naked feet over blood
stained SHOWS, were suffered and endured with
unainching fortitude by the soldiers of liberty.
So to sustain our great principle we have to toll,
struggle and battle against the power Of alcohol
and the combined influences OF appetite, prejudice
and passion. But we have reason and right and
the bright principles of truth on our side, and
although we may be bafled for a while, 1 believe
in the moral progress Of man, and that
"Trufh crushed 20 earth win rise again,
But error weuaded ~hthss In paia
And dies amid her WOrshiper.,"-
and however passion and prejudice and interest
may SCOT, I have an abiding faith in the great
truths Of our order and the principle OF total a5sa-
nsnee-a confident hope in the final triumph Of
our cause and a full redemption of mankind from
sAG WI (htNShh AaIe<a~S VI ~ SACtaC
and maddcning cup
The Independent Order or Good Tcmplars, like
the institutions Of the Free Masons and Odd Fell
lows, was organized to meet a social want-to
unite good and true men for great philanthropic
and benevolent objects. IL is q brotherhood Of
with the ~loftiest and noblest aims-the
yrandest end to accomplishing wage an incessant
against the use OF all intoxicating drinks
TO elevate and rcgenerate the fallen-to strike the
,hackles from those whom intemperance has
;hained-to aid and protect the deserted wife and
children-to dry the widows tear, to
till the orphans cry, to heal the broken heart
md &c lead erring man from the depths Of degra-
iation and sensual debasement 10 those higher
md purer joys, worthy an intellectual and res
being, and which are found only where
emperance extends her genial and benefcent
way. In order to accomplish all this it was
Necessary for union and secrecy; for union gives
and secrecy is not only the bond of
lnion, but of confidence.
The institution had its origin in 1852. 1t
rev out Of the Order of Good Templars, of which
Lodges existed in Utica. Oneida County,
Sew York, in 1851. There were at that time
leven of such Lodges in full operation in that
ounty. Owing to a difference of opinion among
he members of that Order, a new Lodge was
at Fayetteville, New York, on the Goth
f July, 1852. The new Lodge declared itself
Independent, and took the name of the indie
endent Order of Good Templars. Two other !
odgcs were rapidly organized, the motto of
Faith, Hope and Charity T" was adopted, ladies
admitted, and the signs and words of the .
rider adopted on q permanent basis. (,
On the 18th day of August, 1852, the first j
of the Independent Order of Good {
assembled at Excelsior Lodge No. 1, !,
Syracuse, New York Excelsior Lodge No. /, I
'ureka Lodge No. 2, and Forest City Lodge No. {;
, were represented The Convention proceeded $
business and n Grand Lodge was organized, a
itual adopted, and the representatives present J
to organize new Lodges. Since that !
criod the Grand Lodge Of New York has regu- '