Showing posts with label Temperance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temperance. Show all posts

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Reverend Samuel H. Cox to the New York Evangelist, August 8, 1846

London, August 8th, 1846

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Last night we had a grand popular meeting — where do you think? In the Theatre, Covent Garden. The stage was well prepared as a regular platform, the pit was filled to its utmost capacity, the front boxes — three tiers of them — were well occupied, and the two galleries were literally crammed.

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There were many speakers. Among the first in order, was our venerable friend, now in his seventy-first year, the Rev. Dr. Beecher. He was hailed as pater atque princeps in the army of temperance — and be well sustained his character. There he stood in green old age, fat and flourishing, bringing forth fruit as a tree of righteousness, planted by the rivers of waters; and if wine instead of water had been his beverage, he Would probably now have been in his grave. Other speakers followed from different parts of the world. They all advocated the same cause, showed a glorious unity of thought and feeling; and the effect was constantly raised — the moral scene was superb and glorious — when Frederick Douglass, the coloured abolition agitator and ultraist, came to the platform, and so spake a la mode, as to ruin the influence, almost, of all that preceded! He logged in anti-slavery, or abolition, no doubt prompted to it by some of the politic ones, who can use him to do what they would not themselves adventure to do in person. He is supposed to have been well paid for the abomination.

What a perversion, an abuse, an iniquity against the law of reciprocal righteousness, to call thousands together, and get them, some certain ones, to seem conspicuous and devoted for one sole and grand object, and then, all at once, with obliquity, open an avalanche on them for some imputed evil or monstrosity, for which, whatever he the wound or the injury inflicted, they were
both too fatigued and hurried with surprise, and too straitened for time to be properly prepared. I say it is a trick of meanness ! It is abominable!

On this occasion, Mr. Douglass allowed himself to denounce America and all its temperance societies together, as a grinding community of the enemies of his people; said evil, with no alloy of good, concerning the whole of us: was perfectly indiscriminate in his severities; talked of the American delegates, and to them, as if he had been our schoolmaster, and we his docile and devoted pupils; and launched his revengeful missiles at our country, without one palliative, and as if not a Christian or a true Anti-Slavery man lived in the whole of the United States. The fact is, the man has been petted, and flattered, and used, and paid by certain abolitionists not unknown to us, of the ne plus ultra stamp, till he forgets himself; and though he may gratify his own impulses, and those of old Adam in others, yet sure I am that all this is just the way to ruin his own influence, to defeat his own object, and to do mischief, not good, to the very cause he professes to love. With the single exception of one cold-hearted parricide, whose character I abhor, and whom I will not name, and who has, I fear, no feeling of true patriotism or piety within him, all the delegates from our country were together wounded and indignant. No wonder at it! I write freely. It was not done in a corner. It was inspired, I believe, from beneath, and not from above. It was adapted to re-kindle on both sides of the Atlantic the flames of national exasperation and war. And this is the game which Mr. Frederick Douglass and his silly patrons are playing in England, and in Scotland, and wherever they can find “some mischief still, for idle hands to do.” I came here his sympathizing friend — I am such no more, as I more know him.

My own opinion is increasingly that this abominable spirit must be exercised out of England and America, before any substantial good can be effected for the cause of the slave. It is adapted only to make bad worse, and to inflame the passions of indignant millions to an incurable resentment. None but an ignoramus or a madman could think that this way was that of the inspired apostles of the Son of God. It may gratify the feelings of a self-deceived and malignant few, but it will do no good in any direction — least of all to the, poor slave ! It is short-sighted, impulsive, partisan, reckless, and tending only to sanguinary ends. None of this, with men of sense and principle.

We all wanted to reply, but it was too late; the whole theatre seemed taken with the spirit of the Ephesian uproar; they were furious and boisterous in the extreme, and Mr. Kirk could hardly obtain a moment though many were desirous in his behalf, to say in few words, as he did, very calm and properly, that the cause of temperance was not at all responsible for slavery, and had no connection with it. There were some “sly” agencies behind the scenes — we know!

To the remnant of the meetings for business, some of us repaired this morning, and demanded an opportunity to reply, which, after great clamor, was accorded to us. The Rev. Mr. Marsh and myself, and the Rev. Dr. Schmucker, spoke in succession, and with some good effect, as was generally supposed. Many of them, and those the most intelligent, felt nobly, and spoke nobly on our side. And, apart from what these miserable malignants choose to say of us, on their own responsibility hereafter, and the witnesses are many, I am happy to say that the spirit of the whole nation is kind and benevolent in a very exemplary degree. They all rejoice in I re-established peace with us, and feel kind and pacific all. I have had much opportunity to observe and know, from Portsmouth to Edinburgh, and to do them justice they are our friends at heart.

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Yours, in hope and love,
SAMUEL H. cox.

SOURCE: American Anti-Slavery Society, Correspondence between the Rev. Samuel H. Cox, D. D., of Brooklyn, L. I. and Frederick Douglass, a Fugitive Slave, p. 5-7

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Diary of Sergeant George G. Smith: New Haven to Ship Island

Soon after recruiting for the 13th Connecticut Regiment Infantry Volunteers was begun, I entered the recruiting service, and during the winter of 1861—1862 labored for that regiment in that capacity until it was full. Recruiting officers were quite plenty at that time and somehow the war fever among the people had worn away considerably and consequently recruiting was what might be termed slow, and not until March 17th, 1862, was the regiment ready for the seat of war.
 
On that day at ten p. m. we left New Haven, on a steamboat, and the next morning at five o'clock found us on board a large sailing vessel in New York harbor, bound for Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. I enlisted as a sergeant in Company K and it so happened the first night I was detailed as sergeant of the guard. I don't think the 13th C. V. all belonged to the temperance society. If they did many of them sadly broke their pledges; but perhaps they thought the occasion justified them in doing so. The Colonel ordered one poor fellow “seized” up in the rigging for disorderly conduct. It was distasteful to me, but military orders must be obeyed. The job was new to me but I accomplished it without much trouble, otherwise the night passed off quite peacefully.
 
March 20th, the ship hoisted anchor, moved down and anchored off Sandy Hook, where she lay until the 23rd. On the way everything was new to me, Castle Garden, Governor's Island, Staten Island, etc. Besides the U. S. gunboat Roanoake lay there. During the time tugboats were busy bringing water and other supplies for the voyage.
 
On March 23d a propeller came down with two four-inch guns, put them aboard and towed us out to sea. A U. S. mail steamship outward bound passed us. It was a beautiful sight and one to make one feel proud of his country. Thirty-one vessels, great and small were in sight from the deck of our ship. At about one o'clock p. m. the tug boat left us, but the wind was calm as a summer evening, and remained so until about 3 p. m. when a stiff breeze sprang up and the good ship, City of New York, spread her white wings, and soon the Jersey Heights began to grow dim, and the shades of night coming on, they disappeared entirely from view. We never saw any more of this green earth until we reached an island on the southern coast of Florida. Next day got the guns in position, so that when Old Glory crept up to the masthead in the morning and unfolded to the breeze he was greeted with the cannon's roar, the emblem of freedom and power.
 
On the 25th we entered the Gulf Stream, water about milk warm, sea rough, about in the latitude of Charleston, S. C. In the morning, “Sail ho!” from the masthead. “Where away?” “Three points on the weather bow, sir.” “Steamship, looks like a privateer.” Captain Saulter cracks on more sail. At noon it disappeared to leeward. A gale sprang up in the afternoon and blew tremendously all night.
 
SOURCE: George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 1-3

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Monday, June 5, 1865

This forenoon we had a temperance speech by Wm. Roach of Iowa at the headquarters bivouac of the Eleventh Iowa. Blank pledges of the Washington Temperance Society were distributed and a good many of the boys signed the blanks after they were filled out.1 The men mustered out from our division, the Fourth, started for their homes this afternoon. The Government furnishes them transportation to their home states.
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1 Mr. Downing was among the number. — Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 280

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, May 31, 1865

I got a pass and went to the city again. I spent most of the day in the patent office and in the Smithsonian Institution. I also got my watch repaired, which cost me $3.00. The city seems to be astir; new buildings are growing up all over and some of the Government buildings are being improved. Except for the presence of so many soldiers in the city, no one would think that a four years' war had just ended. The city needs most of all paved streets, for in wet weather they get very muddy and the city looks no better than a country town. The Washington monument is not yet finished and from a distance it looks like a large smokestack with the top lacking. A part of the Fifteenth Corps left for Louisville today, but all men whose time is out by October 1st were left here to be mustered out at once. All of the eastern men in Sherman's four corps are to remain in Washington for the present. We had a temperance talk here this evening by William White Williams. I bought a medal of honor from him. Everything is going along fine.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 279

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

State Items


The Fort Dodge Republican is in trouble about the railroad prospects of its section.  A terrible rumor is current that the Dubuque and Sioux City R. R. doesn’t intend going further West than Cedar Falls, its present nominal terminus.  The Fort Dodgers intimate that if such is the case, they’ll find somebody else to take up their case and give them a railroad.

After an animated contest, the Clinton County Society has decided to hold its next annual Fair at Lyons.  The Jackson Co. Fair will be held at Maquoketa.

Petitions are in circulation in Jones county to have its name changed to Grant.

A young man named Wm Thompson was recently found dead, in Union county, under circumstances that lead to the supposition that he was murdered.

Michael Degin was frozen to death in Jones county a few nights since.  He left a wife and several small children unprovided for.

Wm. S. Kirkpatrick, son of F. A. Kirkpatrick of Mahaska county, and great grandson of Col. Bradley of the Revolution, was killed at fort Donelson, while bravely defending the body of Captain Cloutman.  Colonel Bradley, of the Revolutionary fame was killed in his own house by the tories after the war closed.

There are 40,000 acres of swamp land in Harrison county under the exclusive management of the Board of Supervisors.  So says the Magnolia Republican.

The Fourth Iowa Regiment was the first to plant the Stars and Stripes on the soil of Arkansas.

The Keokuk Gate City has been shown a very handsome specimen of cotton, grown in that city.

Senator Redfall introduced into the State Senate last week, a preamble and resolutions congratulating the Senator from Davis county, on his marriage.  It was very properly referred to the committee on charitable institutions.

A PLEA FOR INTEMPERANCE. – Several weeks ago we made a note of the death of Mr. John Jolly, and a man by the name of Scott; Mr. Jolly was an old “settler” in the county, and was regarded as an excellent citizen, except the unfortunate habit of intemperance.  It appears the two men, on a cold day several weeks ago were at work in the woods on Sugar Creek, they had a supply of whiskey with them, and after having made a large fire, became intoxicated and fell helpless victims to be destroyed by the flames they designed for their protection from the cold.  Their death was a melancholy one, and a fearful warning to the intemperate. – Ft. Madison Plaindealer.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Local Matters

PARTICIPATION. – See new advertisement. Enquire of R. Simpson.

ROANOKE ISLAND, the scene of the recent victory is off Tyrell county, North Carolina, between Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.

PUBLIC LECTURE. – Dr. C. C. Parry will deliver a lecture on “Camp Life,” in the Congregational Church, on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12th. Price of admission, 10 cts. The entire receipts will be appropriated for the benefit of the Soldiers’ Aid Society. d2t

RAILROAD SHIPMENTS. – The following are the figures of shipments from this city by railroad, for the week ending February 8th: 2,595 brls. Flour; 15,000 bush. wheat; 1,200 bush. barley; 417 sacks malt; [336] dressed hogs; 44,290 lbs. lard; 8,620 lbs. hides; 2,550 lbs. bologna sausage; 540 lbs. butter.

OYSTERS IN THE SHELL. – We are indebted to Mr. G. Hickox, of the Davenport Hotel, for a basket of oysters in the Shell. They are a kind of Yankee vegetable that are not hard to take in any form and we hope our friends’ pockets may ever be as full as – the shells before they were opened.

A THAW. – Signs yesterday were indicative of a general thaw. The mercury stood at 34 degrees before sunrise and the snow rapidly disappeared under the warm temperature. – Unless the weather should turn cold another day will spoil the fine sleighing that the denizens of this locality have so long enjoyed.

SLEIGHING. – As is frequently the case the prospect of a break-up in the weather brought a great number of people out on runners last night. One large party, in a huge omnibus sleigh, went to Le Claire, where they were to have a supper and a hop at the far-famed Howard House of that city. A larger party arrived from Moline and stopped at the Le Claire House, where they had supper.

MR. EDITOR: I predict that hundreds of the citizens of Davenport and Scott county will, within the next three years, regret and find fault with themselves that they did not purchase farms and dwellings in 1862, when they could have purchased property for less than the cost of the improvements. Please to read my advertisement, Mr. Editor, in this day’s GAZETTE, and forward to me at my office on Perry street your opinion of my prices. A. C. F.*

COW DROWNED. – We have heard of no cows being lost on this side of the river, as the current is more sluggish, but on the opposite side, where the current runs so swiftly, it is not uncommon every winter for cows who frequent the river for a drink, to slip into the rapid current and be washed under the ice. A case of the kind occurred on Sunday last. Poor muley got off the ice into the water, thence under the ice to become food for fishes.

BAD BOYS, or boys whose parents do not exercise the necessary control over them frequently meet on the ice between Davenport and Rock Island, and pass the Sunday in a pitched battle. A scene of this kind occurred last Sunday The little shavers not having fear of the law, of their parents, or of any higher power, met armed with sticks and clubs, and had a regular engagement, which closed only with the close of day. Neither party was victorious, though doubtless both claimed it. Fathers should keep an eye on their offspring, remembering they too will be men some day, and that “as the twig is bent,” etc.

DR. JEWETT’S LAST LECTURE, on Monday evening, was as usual well attended. The subject presented this time was the effect produced by the sale of intoxicating liquors on the business interests of the neighborhood. The arguments presented were of a particular character, and were substantiated by numerous illustrations drawn from his own varied experience. This lecture concluded Dr. Jewett’s course in this city. And we must do the Dr. the justice to say that he has presented a subject, so often before discussed, in such a new and interesting manner that all were pleases – both those who had previously examined the subject, and those to whom the arguments for total abstinence were new.

LARGE EXPORTS. – On Monday evening, nearly fifty teams, mostly from Cedar county, stopped at the Pennsylvania House, whose ample accommodation frequently entertain as many teams over night. In the morning, most of the teamsters loaded up with lumber and with from 20,000 to 25,000 feet of that article, started for Cedar county yesterday. The lumber trade has been exceedingly good during the long sleighing season, and Cedar county has not been the outer limit of our trade with the interior, but teams have come from beyond, as we mentioned a few days since. It speaks much for the popularity of the Pennsylvania House among the farmers, and the excellence of its management, that it should be so well filled every night with the industrious denizens of the interior counties.

FORCED SALE OF REAL ESTATE. – We have neglected to mention the handsome property sold under deed of trust, on Saturday last – property belonging to the individual partners of the obsolete firm of Cook & Sargent. The beautiful residence of Mr. E. Cook, on Fourth street, that in palmy times cost over thirty thousand dollars, was knocked down at just one-half that amount, fifteen thousand dollars. The fine homestead of Mr. Geo. B. Sargent, on Brady street, with the outbuildings and grounds attached, brought the sum of thirteen thousand dollars, or about one half the original cost. The vacant lot adjoining on the North between that and the three story house at present occupied by Bishop Lee, brought four thousand dollars, the three story building four thousand five hundred dollars, and a lot in the rear two thousand dollars, making in all $23,500 for the entire property. The aggregate amount of sales was $38,500, while the amount against the property was $53,429. The purchaser was John J. Dixwell, Esq., of Boston, the holder of the deeds of trust, through his attorneys, Davison and True, of this city. – The property sold remarkably well, and at a higher rate, doubtless, than other parties would have been willing to pay for it. Mr. Dixwell has done well in securing this fine property at the rate he did. We should be very happy, indeed quite contented, to occupy either residence as a homestead, and were the title vested in us, we would agree to forego any aspiration of a change until we “shuffled of the mortal coil.”

THANKS. – We are indebted to the Hon. J. B. Leake, Senator, J. H. White and J. R. Porter, Representatives from this county, T. H. Stanton, of Washington, and W. L. Davis, Secretary of Senate, for valuable State documents.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 12, 1862, p. 1