wine, exclaimed against the unfairness of requi- temuers. One venerable minister wrote and ring them to give up their beverage, whiskey, published a pamphlet, entitled "Reasons for not while their wealthier associates indulged them- joining the Temperance Society," which is known selves in wine. These considerations prevailed so far, that most societies now included wine in their pledge of abstinence. But it was not until ten years afterwards, that any save a very few could renounce all intoxicating liquors: and still longer, before they could find in their hearts expressly to forbid cider.

to have influenced some persons to persist in the use of intoxicating drinks, to their ruin. We have been told of a friend and host of his, whom his precepts encouraged to practise "moderate drinking," till a drunkard's widow and orphans alone remained in that house, to welcome the good old pastor upon his periodical round. In the town of Hampton, and in the county of Sussex, AntiTemperance Societies were formed in avowed opposition to the Reform movement. But this, by reaction, multiplied and animated its votaries, and sped it onward.

In 1831, the new reformation received a fresh impulse by tidings from Europe, that it was also spreading there. So early as 1829, Temperance Societies were formed in Ireland and Scotland, with above 14,000 members. The example was followed in England, by still greater numbers; In supporting it, the Baptists far outwent all and on the continent by many. British writers other religious denominations in Virginia, till uttered the highest eulogies of the movement, 1831 and among the Baptists, a much larger and its American originators. One called it "a proportion of preachers than of laymen. Methgreat discovery," that temperate drinkers "are odists, when urged to sign a pledge, said that the chief agents in promoting and perpetuating their church was itself a sufficient Temperance drunkenness:" and said that the discoverer of Society; and quoted Wesley's prohibition of "this great truth" had done more for the world, spirituous liquors. But the inefficacy of that rethan he who enriched it with the knowledge of straint was now glaring. The church often sufa new continent. Temperance societies have fered scandal and trouble from the tipplings of not only made America truly the new world, but its members: and some of the groggeries (or, as in a few months have produced an unparalleled sometimes expressively called, doggeries) which change in many districts of the United King- occasioned the greatest number of fights, and dom." Another said "It would be ingratitude sent homeward the most husbands to beat their to our American friends, to throw into the wives or to die of cold on the way,-were kept shade our obligations to them for having origi- by Methodists. In 1830 and 1831, some eminent nated this noble cause. If the names of Wash- Methodist ministers, followed by many of their ington and others are deservedly dear to them laity, joined, with characteristic energy, in the for their struggles in the cause of freedom, there warfare against strong-drink: and no church has are other names which will descend to the latest surpassed that one since, in stalwart and efficient posterity, as the deliverers of their country from championship. Members, both clerical and lay, a thraldom far more dreadful than any foreign of the other leading churches were tardier: and yoke." These praises from a different hemis- the Episcopalians, until very recently, were bephere gratified the national pride of our reform-hind all. ers; and heightened their confidence in the merits, and ultimate success, of their enterprise. How great must be its lustre, when the mere reflection back of that lustre, across the ocean, was so resplendent!

That the two sects most eminent for schoollearning, and no way grudging towards other charitable enterprises, should have been most backward in this warfare; has been explained, not irrationally, by the fact, that their members, But still a formidable majority withheld their generally affluent, see and know but little of the aid. The middle classes, always apt to be fore-vices and wretchedness of low life: and being most in useful virtues, were the main adherents strictly moral, avoid contact and acquaintance of the Temperance Reformation. The two ex- with the gross dissipations of high life. They tremes of society-the very lowest, and those had therefore uo realizing sense of the physical who (especially in their own estimation) stood and moral miseries of Intemperance: nor of the highest, agreed in disdaining the movement. silent, stealthy degrees, by which temperate drinkMany then despised it, who, or their sons, or ing grew into intemperance. If this was true of other near relatives, have since fallen a prey to the laymen, much truer was it of the clergythe insidious Habit, that stealthily binds its vic-particularly of the Episcopal clergy. They were tims with chains too fine to be seen and too light men of the closet; knowing mankind chiefly to be felt, till they are too strong to be broken.* through books. Their social intercourse was in Numerous clergymen were among these con- neat, perhaps elegant parlors, or by the comfortable firesides of parisioners' well to do in the world,' or at hospitable tables loaded with good

* See Dr. Johnson's Vision of Theodore.

meats and drinks. At such tables toddy or various local societies of the State, to meet in wine went round: the host himself, a man of Convention at Richmond. But the Young Men's wealth and influence, kindly pitying the fanati- Temperance Society of Frederick county having cism of total abstinence. Since Mr. Wilber-issued a proposal that such a convention should force's day, the Episcopal clergy both in Eng- be held in October, at Charlottesville, this propoland and America, are too evangelical to copy sal was seconded by the Executive Committee the "soft dean" of Lord Timon's villa, of the State society.

And accordingly, the first Temperance Convention of Virginia assembled at Charlottesville, on the 30th of October, 1834; and sat three days, adjourning finally on the first of November.

Of the members, 37 were ministers of the Gospel; and 18, physicians. Several eminent men were members, who have since died: we

"Who never mentioned Hell to ears polite:" but it was expecting too much of a minister, to suppose that he would refuse the glass and avow himself a cold water man, among fashionable genIn this Convention were 180 members; deletlemen and ladies, whose laugh would have been gates from Temperance societies in 38 counties, "ready chorus" to the host's sneer at such ultra-all of them cis-Alleghany counties-nine lying ism—a host regular in the responses at church, in the great Valley, and 29 in Eastern Virginia. and contributing fifty dollars, or a hundred, yearly, The nine were Alleghany, Augusta, Bath. Berketowards the pastor's salary; besides dinners, ley, Botetourt, Frederick, Hampshire, Rockingpresents for the parsonage-table, and countenance ham, and Shenandoah. in society. Methodists and Baptists, and their ministers, were very differently circumstanced. Their sphere of life, commonly, was humbler. They were nearer to the lower classes, if not of may name CONRAD SPEECE, D. D.; JONATHAN them: saw much more of them: better knew of, P. CUSHING, President of Hampden Sidney Coland more sympathized with, their wants, suffer- lege; HUGH NELSON; and THOMAS WALKER ings, virtues, weaknesses, and vices. Baptist and GILMER. The Rev. Dr. JUSTIN EDWARDS of Methodist ministers frequented such cabins, and Massachusetts, one of the ablest and most unate, and slept in them,-entered (usually upon er- tiring pioneers of the reformation; and EDWARD rands of mercy) such haunts of squalid wretched- C. DELAVAN of New York, who has given many ness-looked upon such scenes of filthy, ragged thousands of dollars, and years of patient labor vice as the refined tastes of their more learned to the cause; attended the Convention as invibrethren would have revolted from in disgust. ted guests. Who they were, that the woes brought by drink were most likely to touch deeply; and whose more thorough knowledge of human nature was most apt to see the best method of arresting that flood of woes; none can doubt.

General JOHN H. COCKE was chosen President: and ten vice-Presidents were appointed : Hugh Nelson, Thomas W. Gilmer, Jonathan P. Cushing, Conrad Speece, Rev. Edward Wadsworth, Rev. J. B. Jeter, of Lancaster, Col. SamIn 1832 and 1833, no prominent occurrence uel Blackwell, of Northumberland, Dr. Joseph connected with our subject, is to be commemo- B. Anderson of Amelia, Dr. J. W. R. Dunbar of rated. The progress of the reform was visible: Frederick, and Nathaniel C. Crenshaw of Hanothough with occasional remissions, and even ver. relapses, such as have repeatedly attended its course. In those years were introduced and circulated some powerful writings in its support. The Fourth Annual Report of the American Temperance Society, was one of these; a pamphlet of 110 pages, crowded with striking facts and reasonings. Some volumes of TEMPERANCE TALES, by Lucius M. Sargent, a Boston lawyer, then entered Virginia. As interesting and happily conceived narratives, at once humorous and pathetic, in a style of composition singularly racy and beautiful, they would rank among the foremost literary productions of America, had not every page displayed a moral, which the leaders of literary fashion have perseveringly discountenanced.

Bishop MEADE, and three other members, were appointed as a "Standing Committee of Business." They reported, and the Convention adopted ten very judicious rules of proceeding. One of them limited every speech to ten minutes. Another was, that all Resolutions should first be offered to the Committee; who, if they approved, should report them to the Convention.

The Body adopted 33 Resolutions; bearing, directly or indirectly, upon the use of distilled spirits: declaring the opinion that to make, or sell them, was MORALLY WRONG-earnestly approving the stand taken by physicians in favor of the Temperance Cause, invoking the continued co-operation of the ladies in that cause-commending the owners and masters of ships for The VIRGINIA TEMPERANCE Society had now sailing them with no spirits on board, so that transferred its annual meetings to Richmond. In more than A THOUSAND Vessels were navigating February, 1834, it published an invitation to the the ocean without such liquor-pronouncing the

pledge of total abstinence from ardent spirits an indispensable feature of the temperance reform, &c., &c.

Under one of the 33 Resolutions, the president and three other members were appointed as a Committee to prepare an Address to the People Propositions against the use of wine and other of Virginia. This was done, soon after the adfermented drinks were offered: but were all de- journment of the Convention; and the Address feated by the eloquent fears of some gifted mem- was published, with the Proceedings. After a bers, lest any such declaration might weaken the strong array of facts and reasonings to shew the supposed scriptural sanction of wine. Even a necessity of reform in the country's drinking Resolution offered by a young Presbyterian cler- habits, it presents some of the results, thus far, of gyman,—“ warmly commending the practice of the UNITED EFFORTS AND RESOLVES against althose, who, as an example to the intemperate, or coholic liquors. Seven thousand associations, to obviate objections against Temperance socie- comprising twelve hundred and fifty thousand ties, do wholly refrain from using mixed or adul-members, pledged to entire abstinence from arterated wines as well as ardent spirits," was with- deut spirit, have been formed in the United drawn, after an interesting and animated de- States. More than three thousand distilleries bate."* have been discontinued. Seven thousand merNear the close of the Convention, Dr. Ed-chauts and dealers, chiefly from conscientious wards took his leave, in a "beautiful and affect-motives, have ceased to sell spirits. Ten thouing address." *** "The hours we sand drunkards, in five years, have ceased to have spent among you," said he, "have been drink intoxicating liquors. More than a thouamong the most interesting we have ever enjoy-sand vessels navigate the seas, with no ardent ed. Instead of finding the good cause of Tem- spirit on board: and so conducive is this found, perance merely in its infancy, we have seen de- to their safety from shipwreck, (of which drunkcisive indications that it is advancing far toward enness is confessedly the most frequent cause,) the vigor of manhood. that Insurance Companies offer to deduct five per cent from the premium of insurance, on such vessels. The reformation has flown, most rapidly, to every quarter of the globe. Europe, Asia, New Holland, Middle and Southern Africa, are beginning to ply this mighty engine of social purification. In the British Empire alone, 150,000 persons have taken the Temperance Pledge. To our country all these nations own themselves indebted for this great moral invention: and meet it is that the land which re-kindled the long smothered flame of constitutional liberty, should have originated also the means of rescuing that flame from the dark and loathsome vapor which so lately threatened its extinguishment."

"When we return, Sir, and tell what we have seen and heard, the friends of Temperauce in the North will say, 'It is of God!' They will thank him and take courage. And when they are told, that in this Convention were not only young men, in all the ardor and enterprise of youth, and men in middle life; but men also, venerable for age, for experience, patriotism and piety; men, whom not only Virginia, but the United States have delighted to honor; men of all christian denominations, and of all political parties; and when we tell them that we were received with the greatest kindness and the most fraternal cordiality, and were highly honored as fellow-helpers in this great and good cause ;— they will be reminded of the time when the North and the South, in the day that tried men's souls, stood side by side, and through the gracious aid of Divine Providence, were the honored instruments of achieving victories which established their country's independence; and they will be inspired with new hope, that the time is near, when the North and the South, the East and the West, shall all unite, and through the same gracious aid which was vouchsafed to their fathers, be the honored instruments of achieving a still more glorious victory-a victory over themselves; and of establishing a still more glorious INDE

PENDENCE."

A short time before the meeting of the Convention in Charlottesville a newspaper, called "The Temperance Pioneer," had been established in Winchester by the Young Men's Temperance Society of Frederick. During the Convention, this paper was transferred to the Executive Committee of the State Society, who transferred its publication to Richmond, and new-named it "THE SOUThern TemperANCE STAR." It was published monthly, in eight quarto pages, through the year 1835; and then ceased. It contained many things of great pith; but was edited and printed in so slovenly a manner as to produce little effect.

On the 24th of February 1835, the Virginia Bishop Meade replied in a very feeling man- Temperance Society held, at the Capitol, in

ner.

Richmond, its eighth annual meeting. From estimates founded upon reports then made, there

* We quote from the published Proceedings of the Char- were said to be 35,000 members of Temperance

lottesville Convention.

Societies in the State. Authentic accounts were

given, of many distilleries and liquor-stores dis-work. A lawyer at the Charlottesville Convencontinued, through the workings of conscience or tion (as was said in that Body's Address), had from the decrease of profits.

stated that in six years of his practice, he had been engaged in eleven cases of complaints prosecuted by wives against their husbands, for personal violence; in TEN of which, the violence was proved to have occurred when the husbands

more and more faint for some years, nearly ceased to be heard; and as many females, as males, became members of Temperance Societies.

In this year, Virginia received statements from England, of a striking character. The British House of Commous appointed a committee in 1834, "to inquire into the extent, causes, and consequences of drunkeuness; and whether the were drunk. The objection, after growing Legislature could prevent the continuance and spread of so great an evil;" with power to send for persons and papers. The committee sat three weeks; drew from numerous persons answers to above 4000 questions; and made a long and From the close of 1835 until 1841, the agitaable Report, with the evidence on which it was tion was languid, and not remarkably successful. founded. The Report and evidence were pub- As many, probably, renounced or violated the lished. One fact which it stated, particularly pledge, sometimes relapsing into drunkenness,— struck observant minds here: That the yearly as were added to the ranks of Total-Abstinence. expenditure in Great Britain, upon intoxicating The sellers of drink often exulted in the alleged drinks, was fifty millions of pounds sterling; or decline of Temperance; carefully explaining, 240 millions of dollars. This gave entire credi- however, that they meant only the Societies; bility to the estimate for the U. S., of 150 mil- and professing themselves warm friends of what lions of dollars. The populations of the two countries were then nearly equal. And if Virginia's quota of the national outlay was but one thirtieth-that was five millions.

or a case of bottles, in their rooms.

they considered as Temperance. In 1840, the decline of Temperance was obvious; and was caused mainly by the introduction of a cant phraze, "Hard Cider," into the Presidential contest of that year. "Hard Cider" was the slang name for all, even the strongest liquors; and was quaffed very profusely.

Six District Temperance Conventions were held in 1835, under recommendations of the State Society; at Warrenton, Charlotte Court-House, the Brick Church in King & Queen, Staunton, In 1841, Virginia felt the power of a new phasis Martinsburg, and Tazewell Court House; nu- of the reform; which began in Baltimore. Six merously attended by auditors and members. men, long addicted to excessive drinking, were Among the members were many able and dis-one day there induced to take a pledge of abstitinguished men. nence from all that could intoxicate. Delighted A Congressional Temperance Society had with their new liberty, and some of them posbeen formed at Washington in 1833; and Legis-sessing good powers of speech, they addressed lative Temperance Societies in many of the crowds, not only at regular Temperance meetstates. But no such step was taken in Virginia, ings, but in the streets; nay, traversed the countill 1841. The members of our Legislature ad- try, and other states, to proclaim the horrors of hered to the ancient usage of keeping a bottle, strong drink, and the freedom and happiness of perfect temperance. In 1841, and early in 1842, From the commencement of the reformation some of these men, or of their disciples (reformin Virginia, many had strenuously objected to ed drunkards), entered Virginia; and spoke in the union of females in the pledge. "Were la- many counties and towns, with prodigious power dies to be suspected of intemperance?"-it was and success. Two, named David Pollard and asked; "suspected of being in danger of drunk- Wright, (mechanics), spoke to vast asenness?"-The chivalry of some men rose to the semblies in Richmond and many other places. height of declaring that they would knock any Wright was comparatively cultivated; of winman down, who should invite their wives or ning voice and manner. Pollard was unlettered daughters to sign. To the objections it was an- and unpolished: and, by the rough, deep cuts swered, that females, were very far the heaviest he gave, reminded us of John Randolph's likensufferers from intemperance; by the neglect, un-ing Ben Hardin to "a kitchen knife, whetted on kindness, and cruelty of those to whom they a brick-bat." Both portrayed in such life-like clung most confidingly; and by countless forms colors the miseries of drunkenness, the practices of mortification and shame; that women were which lead to it, the perfect safety and superior therefore the most deeply interested in the re- charms of cold-water, the artifices of liquorform; that their influence, in whatever concerned dealers to ensnare the temperate or draw back domestic or social habits, or the kindly affections, the reclaimed, the crimes and woes which the was irresistible; and their influence could in no traffic occasions, and its black criminality,—that way be so efficient, as by their uniting in this multitudes were pleased, convinced, and fired.

VOL. XVI-55

No ten other men, it is believed, had induced so| Virginia of another new form of the Temperance many to sign the pledge, or so many dealers to movement; the most striking and efficient form renounce the traffic. They were sometimes yet devised. We mean the organization of roughly used, however, by men whom their rid- SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

icule or their graphic descriptions exasperated. The plan was formed by sixteen gentlemen in Pollard was assaulted by a man in Buckingham, the city of New York, in September 1842; aimwho took offence at some of the orator's remarks. ing to bind men by a closer tie, and to enlist their And Wright, by a liquor seller in King William interests and affections more warmly, than the or King & Queen, was attacked in the church former association had done. The plan was, to pulpit where he was speaking, and pulled from it. have in villages and neighborhoods, local socieIn 1841 and '2, we believe, a Legislative Tem- ties called Divisions (subordinate Divisions), perance Society was formed; but not many of meeting once a week. Delegates from these, the Legislature joined it; and it has long been unheard of.

meeting once in three months, form, in each state, a GRAND DIVISION, which has legislative and judiIn 1844, a Temperance Convention was held cial control over the subordinate Divisions; and is in Richmond; of which Governor McDowell was itself controlled by the NATIONAL DIVISION, President; opening the session with an address composed of Delegates from the various Grand of rarely surpassed force and beauty. He must Divisions, and meeting once a year. The Nabe mentioned, as the only Governor of Virginia, tional Division is the supreme legislature of the who, while he filled the office, has had the moral whole system for the United States; prescribes courage to avow total-abstinence, and steadily constitutions for the Grand and subordinate Dito banish wine, and all other intoxicating drinks, from his sideboard and table.

so impressive and affecting, that he who could violate it, would on very slight temptation commit perjury; and would scarcely be worthy of belief, on his oath, in a court.

visions (which may make By-Laws not inconsistent with the constitutions; and decides, by appeal. In 1844, and again in 1845, a great sensation all controversies in or between the Divisions. was produced in the state by the public addresses A Son of Temperance is pledged not to “make, of JOHN B. GOUGH; a young Englishman whom buy, sell, or use as a beverage, any spirituous or his father, (an old soldier and a Chelsea pension- malt liquors, wine, or cider;" a pledge taken with er) had sent to America at the age of 12. After such solemnities, accompanied by a ceremonial great and not unfruitful struggles for a livelihood in New York, he was joined by his mother and sister. In a few years, the mother died, the sister married, and John fell into habits of deep intoxication. By the kindness of some persons in The "Son" has other inducements to keep the Massachusetts, he was reclaimed; and became pledge more faithfully than the takers of the old a travelling speaker* upon Intemperance. The pledge. The intercourse at the weekly meetexpressiveness of his gestures, the richness of ings, is kindly and endearing; calculated to his imagination, his thorough knowledge of hu- attract and engage. The secrecy enjoined as to man nature and life, his ready flow of the hap- the passwords and proceedings, has an indefinapiest language, in a sweet and distinct voice, his ble charm. The provisions made for his nursing boundless command over the tears and the laugh- and pecuniary aid in sickness, and if he dies, for ter of his auditors, and his power, all together, the expenses of his burial and the rearing of his to convince, delight, and persuade,—make him, children; appeal to his self-love, and teach him in our thoughts, the most eloquent man we have that his little initiation fee and weekly contriever heard though we listened to all the best butions are but paid into a sort of savings' bank, speeches in the Virginia Convention of 1829, and or mutual-assistance fund, out of which he will have heard in Congress the (reputably) best draw, if he need it, much more than he pays in. speakers now in America. Several others more A volume of kindness is implied in one of the impartial than we, have pronounced the same questions which the presiding officer is required judgment. to ask at every meeting-“Is any of the brethren sick, or in distress?"

Mr. Gough wrought mighty effects on the public mind; yet an offset to them was, that his unThe order of the Sons of Temperance began approachable eloquence disheartened and si- in Virginia, by the opening of "Washington Dileuced other speakers; who mortifyingly con- vision" in Norfolk, in April 1843. "Howard trasted their own best efforts with his. And it Division," in Portsmouth, followed, in May. was difficult to hear them with much relish, soon" We had," says an accurate narrator, “many after having heard Gough. difficulties to encounter, and many hostile prejuThe year 1843 witnessed the introduction into dices to remove. Nearly two years elapsed before the sixth Division was chartered." This *Evans' Digest, and History of the Sons of Temp.

*Lecture is much too cold a word.