The union Democrat., 1869-06-19
GeeA Templars.

GesA Te@paars.
Ep,roR Dsxocssr.-1n your last weeks
issue, I noticed short communication from
Columbia, beaded .0ood Templars Picnic. y
The article Is fin uy opininnl very we'll writ
ten and the writer il probably far in advance
Of me io-the literary line. yet / cannot re-
frsin from writing few lines in answer to
the various broal assertions, made b- this
so called Good Templar; who occupied
more space in abusing respectable people,
than in describing the Picnic. lie complains
because all do not endorse bis sentiments.
holds up his hands in holy horior, at the
ssnctimoninus reserve Of the wine slipping
christian. but does not seem TO care much for
the laugh Of the Politician, perhaps he
thinks. that in politics, whiskey is a military
necessity. Again, he throws a sly dart at re-
fined society, who manufacture soc.ability,
by tie fermen ;ation of wine or cider. Now,
refined society Is not divided INTO separate
classes. and as Good Templars would never
stoop SO low as 10 associate with those who
do and will use wine and cider it is proper
FIR us TO suppose. that where you find refined
society, YOU need never look for Good Tenn
plar. He seems to te much elated over the
success "f their society. In what have they
succeeded? Take for example, the Temper
ance societies Of by-yone days. Where are
those who will own that they were members.
I wonder flour Good Templar Friend. remem-
hers the Columbia Sons of Temperance
Was not .heir recnrd exceedingly brilliant.
Take for example the l. dges in our large
cities, End notice the class of people, who be-
long to those Judges. after lodge meeting.
most of the men generally enter some saloon.
for drink Of water, but most always manage
to swallow glass Of brandy and their pledge,
at the same time. Does this God Templar
pretend TO say his own Columbia Lodge is
pure. There are many who know, of drinks
taken on the sly. Now when person takes
the oath Of abstinence, ia not that oath life
obligation. wherever he may be? IF it is
binding, then, know of some very reliable
persons. One Of their shining lights was re-
Gently found III the streets of San Francisco
dead drunk, and now runs Faro table at
White Pine. allude to Judson alias Ned
Buntline, and could mention scores nf others
it | were 40 disposed. NV Dear Friend
your society does not allow it's members tn
drink intoxicating drinks. hut it says not one
word about Gambling. Il not this vice as bad
asfhe other? DonOt your members, with few
exceptions in manner, countenance, both
vices, hy indulgiDg in cards, and frequenting 9
saloons 4? If they do not drink themselves
they pay for Others 20 drink, and further
more s"me Of your Good Templars, disgrace
themselves and the community, by circula-
ting false stories, detrimental TO the charac-
ters ut persons not belonging TO the order. /
could name two young gentlemen, belonging
To Columbia Lodge. /. o. G. T. who ex.ell
IN this respect. A very appropriate present
to the Columbia Lodge, would be banner.
with this inscri ption thereon "man's chief
end. is. to talk about his neighbors." Again
our friend tells us Of the length Of time, in
which the Columbia Lodge, has stood. the
numerous attacks of the wicked. One whole
year 1t nearly takes ones breath, to think
OF it. What noble society. and what inter
nal strength it must possess TO live for one
long year. My Friend, expel all your Eem-
bers who have broken their oa'hs, and your
pet society will then. be. very small. II would
rebound much more to the credit of the
Good Templars. ii more of them wonld try to
reform some Of our confirmed drunkardS, and
not choose the easier task Of inducing those 70
join their society, who join merely for the
sake ot pleasing themselves. not because thev
are addicted to drinking. lie speaks of many
good deeds, being accomplished, but per-
'"'-s wv "oou i AcuipiaTSs nave YET tO see, tue
good they have accomplished. No doubt.
our friend, thinks his order the ruling power
OF this country, but greatly is he deceived,
they have fearful majority to contend
against. which is being daily increased. by
desertions from their ranks. What noble in
dncements they offer to young men. One OF
them will say. Come and lin us, We have
such splendid times. besides you can escort
the young ladies home. take moonlight walks
etc.. besides some of our boys are going
away. while at the same time smother one.
standing on the other side. will say "he
wishes he had not joined" 1t is the firm
opinion ofmany. that although, ''combats with
wild beasts" and "Human Sacrifices" are
not seen IN the present century, vet the go
ciety. known as the Independent Order of
Good Temtlar's. is NOT. and never will he.
strong enough to prevent a citizen, of the
United States from exercising his judgment
in matters relating to his habits AMI morals.
What he thinks is right. that he will do and
Good Templars cannot prevent.
OLD TUoLuxNE.