Smyrna times., 1874-12-09
mise eILUN f OWS.
Por the "Smyrna Times.
Por the "Smyrna Times" mo- 81
A Brief History of the Smyrna Tenn
peeance Society from February,
1888, to June, 1899.

At meeting of the managers Of this Society
on the 18th Of January, 1888, on motion of y.
Stocky,- Jefferson, William Gilbert, b.
Coomhe, aud Wm. Rnggold were appointed
committee to draw up and report resolutions
expressing the views Of the Society on the ex
sting License law; also, to express the opinions
of the members of the Society as to the most
effectual means to get repeal or modification
Of said law.
On the 9th of February, 1888, at meeting
of the Society, \. StOcky, Of the committee to
ascertain the quentity Of Intoxicating drinks
sold in Smyrna 10 1887, made report on the
subject, which was adopted, and showed that
the amount was about ScreR thousand gGUOaS.
The beneficial influence of this organization,
which had no State bttc to back it, and nothing
but moral Snd$ioA to pull it forward was SO
great that in three years time the sale of inc
briating beverages had diminished in this little
| village four hoWsdnd ga{tons.
The committee appointed to draft resolutions
| relative to the license law, offered their pre-
| amble and resolutions, which we're read by
! by VIM. Gilbert. After some debate, on mo.
| ton of VIM. Gilbert, seconded by B. Benson,
the word repeal was stricken out of the first
| resolution II seems they we're not yet pre-
pared to ask for repeal Of the license law, but
altered the resolution 40 as to pledge each
individual member to use all their influence to
obtain modification Of the law.
| From the commencement the road was new
| they had to travel, and they had to feel their
| way. Hitherto all their victories wore gained
| by moral sudsion and they pursued their
undertaking course by enliehtening the mind
and persuading the inebriate to abandon his
! vicious habits
The preamble and resolutions we're then
unanim lusly adopted, and read as follows:
Whereas, This Society 10 satisfied that most
if net all the moral evils in our community
arise from the protection which our license law
affords to the retailers OF intoxicating drinks In
tdrerns and grog shops: And whereas, Thi:
Society is convinced that but for such protection
our % munity would be a comparatively happy
people, therefore,
Resolued, That this Society, and each indi
vidual member thereof, will use all necessary
and proper exertions to obtain such modi6ca
ton of the license law as will tend to remove
the evil of which We complain.
Resolued, That standing committe Of cor
respondence be appointed, whose duty it shal
be to correspond with other societies or indi
viduals in this State upon the subject OF th'
foregoing resolution; and that they have powe
and authority to do such other acts in behal
! of this Saciety, as may seem TO them expedl
snt in promoting the object Of said resolution
May llth, 1888, VIM Ringold brsugh
forward motion to alter the 2nd article Of tn
Constitution, which motion was unanimousl
agreed to, and said article so amended an
altered as to read as follows:
Article Cd "The object Of this Society is {
aid the parent society in their efforts to abolis
the use, and traffic, of all Intoxicating drink
from our country"
Having arrived at the last leaf Of the book
find on it q casual note, which | cannot den
myself the pleasure OF transcrlbing, as it seen
to be the incipient movement OF the merchan
rcnounciug the liquor trade.
"If the merchants in Smyrna will cease seliu
ardent spirit, we the undersigned, promise
follow the example: John ). L1mbdin, Job
r. Rees. VIM. Duhamsl."
This Society was the most popular one
any kind that | have ever known in our mlds
From its commencement it was opposed to Il
customs and propensites of its surrounding
Free indulgence in alcoholic beverages was u
motto Of the wicked; moderate use that
the moralist a little wine for the stomach
sake that Of the young people; and mi
toddy or some other equivalent, for the inh
mites of the aged And yet, in the midst
such discordant elements, lt hImly stoo
preaching temperance to all, until 1t oroug
to its standard from all these oppOsers IN le
than seven years .Jiue Hundred members. Tf
number includes the twenty Eve colored pc
sons that Joined the Society previous to sep
rate organization of their own. Why shou
we pass them by as unworthy Of notice? Y
often find them sensible, without an educatio
polite, without a knowledge of Chesterfield
and obedient to their parents, without sV
having read the Decalogue.
The persistent, conioined and concords
efforts Of this Society was the secret OF its 81
cess. 1t kept up a continued interest in {
temperance cause by frequent meetings,
which gentlemen of education aud professic
consisting Of ministers, lawyers aud docto
made pertinent addresses to the people.
Ii fraternized with gentlemen from WilmiI
mington, Dover, Milford, Chsstertown .
Centreville, &C., thus maintaining frien
feeling With other towRs aud villages, Il