The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-29
Temperance.


parlors Of the rich as well as the gloomy
abodes of the poor. We have never been OF
those who regard statutory enactments and
sumptuary laws as . part of the economy
necessary to the abatement of this great
scourge. We do not believe it is in the pow
er of any parchment scroll to educate the
annette, to control its tendency or eradicate
its thirst. That excessive liquor drinking is
a great sin-a moral blight that lrags to de-
struction both soul and body, no one can
possibly doubt; but it cannot be cured
by harsh legislation, or any other processes
than those which reach the consciousness.
the moral springs of human action and con-
duct. 1t is true that the great majority of
those who fall victims to the tyranny of this
terrible habit have natures attuned to the
sweetest influences of life-whose emotions
are awakened by the tender touch of sympa
thy, and who may be lead away from this
awful vice, by kind words and persuasive
appeal, but cannot be driUen to the aban-
Jonment of the Influences and associations
which wind their fatal coils around their NOR
al being. ..
The moral forces which govern men
and arouse them to action in behalf OF
their unfortunate brothers cannot be too
assiduously cultivated to strengthen them
in their sacred work. 1t is a noble mis-
sion, pushed toward for ennoblng ends,
and stands side by side with the church,
which lifts the banner of the cross as
the beacon-lisht to illumne the path to the
highest attainment of moral perfection. The
trophies of each are the results of conriction,
penetrating and controlling the moral ma
ture of man and raising him above the sem
sual and devilish passions which adhere to him
us as the penalty of the Fall. Without this
no repentance can be genuine. The mind
and soul must be brought under its infiu-
ence to hate the vice, shun its allurements,
and to trust, not so much to mental opera
tions and the strength OF volition, as to
the grace that is impaired to all who are Sc
riously engaged in a great undertaking for
the good of mankind. Earnest prayer is as
essential in the important work OF temper
ance reform, as in the higher grade Of moral
endeavor-Religion. Mans strength is not
commensurate with the great ends to be ac-
complished, and when it is alone dependent
upon human effort, failures Eust strew the
pathway, in testimony of the weakness of
human nature.
The large and intelligent body of gentle
men, now in session in this city, gathered
here from distant parts of the State, in the
interest Of cause that is worthy of any
sacrifice and any Inconvenience that may
be endured by any delegate present, attests
that there are earnest workers in the inter-
csts of Temperance, and that they are moved
by deep and sincere sympathy for the un-
fortunate of their kid, who may be slaves
Of the awful vice of Intemperance. They
are engaged in a praiscworthy and heaven
inspired labor, and whatever SCOTS and
sneers they may have to encounter in prose-
cutting the great undertaking, they may
rest consoled in the assurance that they are
doing good to their fellow men, robbing the
gutter of its victim, restoring peace, plenty
and happiness to desolated families, and
giving to society useful citizens-snatched
as il were, as brands from the eternal burn
ing.
There has beer deep interest awakened
all over the country. of late, in the cause of
Temperance. The frequency Of atrocious
crimes, nearly all traceable to intemperance,
has aroused men and women In every grade
of society to the necessity of earnest effort
; 70 arrest its onward flow, that its victims
may be lessened, the peace of society sub
served, and distress and anguish cur
tailed. One Of the most impressive indica-
tions we have yet seen was the recent order
of General Sherman, issued by direction of
the President, deploring the use of intern
perance, warning against indulgence, and
closing executive clemency to these who
may be so unfortunate as to receive convic-
ton of court martial for the excessive use Of
Intoxicating liquor. The case that called
out the order was one of peculiar interest,
and strongly appealed to soldier sympathy.
The accused had been gallant soldier,
served his country faithfully, bat himself
fell victim to this great vice. Executive
intervention was asked to restore him to his
forfeited position. But the General OF the
army, with the advice OF the President.
deemed it essential that an example should
be made, and with much feeling, conveyed
in impressive sentences, gave his reasons for
Withholding the coveted pardon, that others
might be warned and saved from disgrace.
> 1t is such recognition of the cause of Tenn
perance and protest against intempcrance,
in high places, that must attract widespread
attention, cause men to think more upon
the subject and stir them to greater eff
fort to save generous and manly natures
and bright intellcets from the terrible curse
OF excessive drink .iiI j. sl.f
We earnestly hope that the interests Of
temperance may be greatly promoted as
the result of the deliberations and resolves
Of the Convention now in session i'll Stauii
ton, and that each member will leave here
strengthened in his purpose to still more
earnestly labor to check the great evil and
turn back the death-dealing tide that is
sweeping SO many of our noblct and most
gifted young men into dishonored graves.
1t is one of the saddest sights the eye of a
reasonable man can gaze upon, to witEess
the flushed face and unsteady step o. one of
his fellow beings, in all other respects good
and useful citizen, as he reels along the
street, virtually disrobed of his true man
hood, and prostituting all the gifts which may
have been bestowed upon him to tie bestial
habits CT intemHerance. Nor does the inhu-
ence and effect stop with himself. Fond
hearts are touched and grieved, and age
nized, for there is no living being who is
not loved by some one-mother, sister, faith
or, or brother, or some near relative whose
heart yearns for his welfare. Nor seldom
is it that the effect goes straight to the fam
lily hearth, pierces the hearts of wife and
children. and there settles gloom and pain,
and sometimes despair. No one can meas
urc the height and depth and width and
breadth of the misery and suffering even
one slave to intempeIance entails.
We have nc connection with any OF the
Temperance orders and probably we are at
fault in this But it is not our inclination.