The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-09-24
Temperance Dinner at Mt. Carmel.


kditor AJbeuilZe Press s. Banner:
Saturday 18th September was
day designated by the Good Templars
of Mt. Carmel and vicinity to signal
izc their devotion to the cause of
Temperance and give it's glorions
principles lift toward the ascendant.
The object and design Of this pub
lie demonstration was, if possible, to
secure an expression of sentiment in
reference to the banishment Of ardent
spirits from our community, and, if
possible, by united concert of action
take some steps by which this revolt
ing traffic in ardent spirits might be
suppressed and rendered obedlent to
the acquisitions Of an enlightened
public sentiment. 49,.
The day was bright, beautiful 1and
rropitious for the occasion, and from
early morn to high twelve everything
was agog for the scene of action.
Jehu driving and cossack riding man
ifcstcd itself on every side, and from
the roll and rattle Of carriages and
the active and heavy tread of pedes-
trians and horsemen moving up it
was manifest that some incentive
moved the masses. At the hour of
ten, at tho tap of the bell, the signal
was given, and procession compo-
sing the Mt. Carmel Lodge, with rep
rescntatives from Shiloh, Lowndes-
Vile. and Elberton, arrayed in their
dittinctive costume, with banners fly
ing from their ranks, were marched
under the military guidance of Mr..
r. B. Scott, marshal Of tho day, to
the Masonic Hall, where seats had
been prepared to meet the necessities
of the vast concourse which had as
sembled. Order and decorum ruled
the hour, and naught but cheering
words and smiling faces touched the
car and charmed the vision.
At II o'clock the intellectual part
of the programme was opened by
tho introduction of the Rev. r.. r.
Dagnall, who gracefully stepped to
the front with his lance in order,
and for q good length of time this
man of God and fearless defender Of
Temperance rang the changes upon
the pre-eminent vice Of the agc-the
vice of intemperance and that class
of men who are daily turning into
hell by their traffic multitudes which
no man can number. The stereo-
typed twaddlo and stale sayings
Which the advocates Of free indul-
gcnce often bring forward in justif-
cation of their dcfilement, was ex-
amined into by the light of reason,
and before the speaker was done this
part of the genus homo stood at con-
siderable discount. The speech was
a mastery effort, and the sentiments
uttered upon the occasion will live
through the limits Of time and tell
upon The page Of eternity. "
The next speaker introduced was
Capt. Jas. R. DuBose, of Washing
ton, Georgia. This much loved and
pious Christian, whose heart is ever
attuned for that which is good, whose
voice has often been heard in our
midst pleading tho cause of God and
man, said he could not be silent under
the inspiration of the hour. Since
tho close Of the second revolution
and the downfall of the Confederacy,
the speaker was panied to announce
that the moral and civil tone of the
country was in a doplorable condition,
and intempcrancc and its concomitant
evils were upon tho increase. Fathers
and mothers were cloqucntly warned
TO wake from their lcthargic slumber,
and recognize more fully the respon-
sibility resting upon them. Incidents
were related Of the pernicious effect
Of example at kome and around the
frcsidc that had como under his per-
sonal observation that was a terrible
commentary upon tho dangerous
practice of tainting the lips Of their
little ones with the fatal cup-thus
beginning at the threshold Of life a
work preparatory for drunkard's S
grave or the hangman's rope.
The cause Of Temperance suffered
no detriment in the hands Of the
Captain, and we arc proud to say, in
mo fulsomc praise, be received the
plaudit Of well done by all who heard
him.
The next eloquent spccch was the
dinner. A most bountiful and elegant
repast had been furnished, and the
ladies, robed in their dazzling beauty
the cynosuro of all eyes, took their
position by invitation at the table
presenting a picture more exquisiteIy
beautiful than the easel of an inspired
artist could have drawn. Substan
tials, cakes, minco pies, puddings
jumbles, and everything known ir
the vocabulary of cookery was there
in rich profusion, and epicurean pal
ates were heartily gratified, and {
long and loud amen was given to tht
cxcellency of the dinner. The day
was enjoyed as becomes Christian
people, and when the annals of oul
community are written, it will stane
on tho record Of passing events as
day of enjoyment and profit to which
all will point. G. .
ea- Of Judge Cooke the Green