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Communications: A Temperance Argument

Communications: A Temperance Argument image
Parent Issue
Day
6
Month
March
Year
1843
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Mnssns Editous :-In attending a recent Mass Temperance Meeting, at one of ourcounty seats, I learned that the committee on vvhom devolved tb e re eponsibility of making preparation for the exercises, presented among others the following original resolution: Resolved, That the etiquet of christian society, requires every gentleman and lady to abandon the use of thedrunkard'sbeveragc, as an article of entertainment or fashiou. The idea thus expressed appeared to me happily conceived, in the present aspect of our glorious reform,thc phraseolojry was plea6antly terse & the terms employed quite apposile, The very reading was a happy lecture to the persons for whotn it was princip.illy designcd. Aftcr the nnnuncialion of the resolution by the secretary, during a (ew pensive moments, the cycs of the assembly roved the church, to light upon an advocate. At lengt h a gentleman, a young physician, 'laudably priding himself in refined courtesy and a virtuous life, arose and coinménced his address witli a most plcasing air. He described chrUtian society according to the design of the resolution, to bc that, in w'iich the Sacrcd Scriptures were generally revereneed; and the otiquet thcreof to bc based on the principies of benevolence and good will; while Ihe logical conclusión of a duty and privilege to abandon the debasing and all des-tructive drink of the t'runkard, bore upon the tipplcrs with trcinendeous power. But this pleasing and instructivetheme was not destined to pass off with the doctor's philosopby. Mr. C arose with a little nppearance of mischief in his eye and music in liis voice, say'mg, the last speaker's course of argument and couclusion. were to say the leaat qneetloiiable; and, thouyh lie would notchooEc to risk his rcputalion, by opposing wliat had been said in favor of the resolution, yet he had heard of more than ono who was neither ashamed or afraid to avow antipodal principies. He would relate one instance. Several ladies in the city of Detroit, wcre deeplyand benevolently engaged, soliciting (heir own sex for Eignatures to the pledge. Ono of them being conducted into the parlor of a very respectable looking dwelling, found her neighbor unusually His li vid counten - once, idiot glazed cye, drooping chin, and open njouth with saliva roping down upon his person and hearth; rendereJ him a most pitiable and disgueting looking object. The solicitress, frotn such a scene, anlicipated sure success from all the females of the house. But the mistress was absent, an-J a daughter of jtist fourteen sal prinked up directly opposite her father. After a formal application fur her signatureand somefew arguments, the Miss raised hersolf a httle more erect, smoothed herapronentirely strnit to the lap, soas to appear in perfect gentility when. she spokc, and then with 1 ny puerile voice, replied, "My papa docsnt think il politefor ladtcs to join the temper a nee society." The speaker wished not to defain the audiencc by drawing conclusions, but left it to be decided by vote, which nderstood best the etiquet of christian society, the Dr. who advocated the resolution, or the fourteen year old girl and hei drunken father. We scarce need add, the resolution passed wilh a unanimous eclat.

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News