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Frpm the Journal of tho Amer, Temp, Union. AN a u t h e n t i c ACCOUNT QF T H E WONDE RFUL WORK O F R E F O R M AT HUDSON, N. Y. b y t h e rev . d r . j . b . w a t e r b u r y . Jiev. J. M a rsh: H u d s o n , Jan, 7,1842, 'Dear S i r —Y o u r request, lh a t I would fur* nisli for your Journal “ a full account o f ilie tem p erance reform in Hudson, together w ith its results of every character,” I am disposed to com p ly with, provided I can obtain the requisite inform ation, T o sp e a k in general term s of a reformation so rem a rkable, w o u ld be doing injustice to the cause o f tejnp e ran e e ; and yet it is no e a sy m atter to-enter into p a r ticulars w ithout Subjecting o n e 's self to the charge o f exaggeration, or p f becom ing so personal as to invade that natu r a l p rid e of chatacter felt both by individuals an<) by com m u n ities. Nine years ago, when I came to reside in Hudson, I found in existence a terriperanpe society under (he old pledge. D had exerted a happy influence in checking to. some extent the use of ardeni spirits. Hut it bore the jnarks of impotency; for whilst it reached down its hand and drew the poor drunkard “ oat of the horrible pit, it had not the power jo place his feet on a rock and establish his goings. After laboring hard with this old pledge society, and finding it ineffectual in resisting the fiery flood, the friends of tem perance began to look towards the new pledge as the bow of promise, just then revealing its beauties in out dark horizon. A society with this pledge was started ; owing in part to the agency by which it originated, and in part to that natural jealousy which a rival society might be supposed to engender, it found but little syrrtpathy, and received mo very influential patronage. It never uceom* plished much; though its existence simply' had a moral effect, and served to beep alive the principle of total abstinence as the only salvation of the drunkard. It appears to me that whilst every professed friend of the cause felt that this was the only conservative and reforming principle, few were willing, as the phrase is, “ to go so far.\ It appeared at that time to be a mighty leap even for the habitually intemperate. , Tho want of sympathy therefore, and cot- dial co-operation left the new Society, even with its rig hi principles, comparatively in a dormant if not dying state. Terrible in the mean time, was the increase of intern perance. The old society dead, and the new one ton- lendingwitb opposition and indifference, gave fresh courage to the enemy, and increased boldness to his efforts. His biood-red stand ards were waving to the breeze. His mid night orgies disturbed the peaceful slumbers of oui citizens. He posted himself, at short intervals, along out, main-street and hung out his decoys to entrap unwary youth, many of whom, as in the den of Caeus, were seen to enter hisjhnrrid precincts but never to return. Such was the state of things, when it oc curred to us, lhat the formation of a Young People’s Society, on the principle of total abstinence, might possibly save some of our young men from threatening ruin. The So- ciely was fptmed, and a few engaged heartily in the work. Frequent meetings were held, and signatures wete obtained, and the dawn of a brighter day seemed at hand. But the' advance was so slow as not to keep pace with the increasing effects of the enfenny, whose bold front bade defiance to so feeble an op ponent. ’-'T h e spring, of 1841 opened upon tis with gloomy forebodings. The increase of dram shops and victualing cellars, (another name for dram shops) was truly appalling. T h e farmers of the country, the boatmen al our wharves, the laborer, the mechanic; the mer chant the young and the old,the rich and the poor, were ali tempted at, every step, by this syren, whose Haunting airand honied accents were a cover to the ruin that she meditated. How could religion—how could even moral ity thrive in such an atmosphere? What gloomy piospeets for the rising generation! The heart of Christian benevolence was paralyzed at the scene; and gootl men looked at each other despondingly, intjuiring, W h a t can be done? The next step, under the providence of God, was the organization 'of a Juvenile Temperance Society, enjbracing the Sabbath school Scholars, numbering in all. I think, about 800. In relation to thisfmovement, there was a diversity of opinion os to its expediency.— Some objected on the ground of the inexpe rience of children; and urged the doubtful propriety of bringing them under a pledge, at an age when youthful enthusiasm rather than moral motives are apt to sway the mind. There is, however, more plausibility than force in these objections. Drunkenness and its causes are too simply dreadful not to be understood by the merest child. Besides some of these children had the evil, in all its appalling magnitude to encounter al theit own fire-sides. It is evident too, that I he con science of a child is quite as scrupulous in such a case, as after it has endured the wear and tear of sin for years. Our mode of pro ceeding was as follows. Each congregation was provided with a printed pledge in num ber equalling the number c f scholars. These cards borethe simple inscription “ W e promise not to use intoxicating liquors except when prescribed as a medicine.\ Each child Was directed to obtain the consent of his patent and return the catd signed with his own name. If ihe parent refused, the card was to be relumed without a signature. It is'easy to see the propriety of this course. Few children l am happy t<isay, had the mortifi cation of refusal. It was decidedly a popu lar movement. However doomed the parent might consider himself, his heart, even under the influence ofthe cop of death, was rnttyet SO callous as to wish his child linked in the same dreadful destiny. Eight It pod red of these little temperance sermons-—for such they may be considered—carried by these tiny bands and making their silent appeal through the affections to the understanding, had as you may. well conceive, a powerful influence. Then, for }he first lime, I could perceive the hydra-headed monster display ing the contortions of fear, as he saw in the ctad le that young Hercules was destined to give him his first fatal blow. A panic was evidently lelt in the ranks of the enemy. Public opinion endorsed the movement de cidedly. No voice, so far as I could leatn, was raised against it. It would have moved the very soul of misanthropy, if it haSa soul, to have seen the interest which beamed in tbe faces nf these young disciples of temperance. The cards were preparatory to a celebration on the 5th of July- Each cljild was provi ded with a t'eutperance bodge engraved for the occasion; and in tlie procession were borne two beautiful silk banners with appro priate devices and inscriptions. Tbe day —in quoting tlte affecting sayings of i'he in ebriates—in giving pithy extracfs from their speeches—in portraying the desolate* home now made glad—rtbeempty closet now filled —the nuked anil sqalid children now decently atlired-T-in picturing the gleam of hope com ing back lo the Watt cheek of despair; but these ate consequences which every imagin ation suggests, where the temperance reform has had tree course upon a cotnnionity. siich as is usually found in our larger towns and cities, Your enquiry respfects rather resuhs (ess obvious, and bearing on the moral, social and pecuniary condition of the people, , The. first point which.you would wish to j ascettain is, how many have signed tbe pledge I The number, so far,as I can get at it, including the eight hundred children,, is not far from three thousand. Our population’ differs not much from 5.500; so that exclu ding infants, we shall have on the pledge a latge majority of our citizens. .Among thosd are some who practiced total abstinence pre vious to signing the pledge; some who occa sionally indulged themselves in the use of wine and fermented liquors; and a large pro portion who were in tite daily and perpetual use of ardent spirits; some of whom were fast becoming, and actually become, confirm ed drunkards! Several ofthe last mentioned _ class are now among the most active agents proved one of novel and deep interest; and in confirming'the cause at home, arid in ex- our national jubilee was never more appro- tending it abroad. priately commemorated, tha,n by songs of Tbe next question which Would naturally ireedotn frotn the Cruelest bondage, swelling cotne Up, in relation it) this sudden and extra- ftotn hundreds of infant voices. But I am ordinary reformation is, how many of the dwelling perhaps longer on the preliminaries inebriates who have signed the pledge have than thejr impottance in the chain of events relapsed into their old habits? I have made demands. Still, I cannot but consider all diligent inquiry on this point, and cannot as- this as preparatory work, ensuring, under certain that more than from 15 to 20 have God, the success of efforts which were sub- violated their pledge. Some of these signed sequently made. The public mind was under circumstances of partial inebriation; evidently ripe for a more aggressive move- a plan which never met my approval—or at merit. That movement was made about two the importunity of associates—or under the • 11 - 1- - . t» _ t c _____ i .1 _ _____ weeks subsequent to our celebration of the 5th, The well known reformed drunkards— for such they are not ashamed tocail them selves— Messrs. Pollard and Wright, were invited to open a campaign in Hudson. At first, their appearance excited but little at tention ; and their efforts were made a sub ject of merriment by some, whilst others, deeply interested in their success, began to entertain serious apprehensions of failure. The Lord, was better lo us than our fears. Their first street meeting is described to trie as one of great excitement. It was in the illusion that the pledge of itself would prove a sort of talisman to disarm the dreaded mon ster. The power o fa depraved appetite was not sufficiently considered, especially in view of the fact lhat evety thing else which opce constituted the man, hud become a perfect wreck. All has been done that could be done to save these poor remnants of abused humanity. And wonderful has been the success. It vvas predicted, that h a lfof tbem would return like “ a dog. to his vomit.” Many such things were said; but the result has shown, thus far, that benevolence m her neighborhood of some of the worst Ijauntsof most daring, desperate efforts, need not des- the inebriate. They pointed theit artillery so near the monster’s den that his howlings were plainly heard. Il is said that several reckless, rum-drinking men were hired to bteak up the meeting, by overturning the hogshead on which the speaker stood. Bul some sturdy cold water tnen, perceiving their intentions, became a line of circu.-nvallauon about the lecturer, and gave the rioters to understand that it would not be easy to force the entrenchment. Mr. Wright, whooccu- pair. Stiff it will not do to be too sanguine, even now. The history of the inebriate shows that months and years extinguish nol that mysterious smothered fire whieh once burnt into the system. The trials of this winter—the want of employment—poverty' solitary reflection—will piove to some, per haps, a severer ordeal than they have yet gone through. Those who pass the winter safely I shall have great hopes of. Much has been done to sustain these men, by the pied 1 Le stand, received Iiis friends, as he vigilance and untiring exertions of the Wash- called them, with lhat tact and self-possession so characteristic of him. “ It is not you said he, “ but the alcohol lhat is ire you by which I am interrupted. Were you acting yourselves you would not neat me thus.\ The meeting closed triumphantly for the cause of temperari'-e; and some of those very men who came to mock, remained to itigton society, formed under the auspices of Messts. Pollard aud Wright. Their weekly meetings keep them informed of the condi tion of tbeir members; serve,‘by social con tact, to sustain each other; aud have a hap py influence m reclaiming the wanderer. No man, in their 'estimation, is considered hopeless, even should he relapse. They sign the pledge, and have since proved active siiil extend a brother’s band to him-—they promoters of the cause. This is but one of lift him up again and again, in the hope of the many scenes which might be depicted; bis ultimate salvation. Jt is owing perhaps tile full impression of which no pen can de- to this circumstance, and also to the efforts lo scribe. Some of their meetings look the ajr continue and deepen the interest generally of a deep religious solemnity; apd eyes lhat in the cause, that the reform has gone on so never wept before, were seen suffused; and satisfactorily, and has been attended with so hearts, from which all feeling seemed to have little te-action. Even at this moment whilst departed, were suddenly converted into flesh. 1 am writing, there is a splendid fair got up The simple tale of the ruined inebriate with the benevolent design of aiding the fam- inteirtipied by a silence that told of emotions ilies of the reformed drunkards, and in ofher loo big for utterance, would awoken gen- ways perpetuating the interest now felt in the eral sympathy, and dissolve a large portion cause. ofthe audience in tears. The spell which What, has been the effect of this reforma Had bound so many, seetnpd todissolye under tion, you will again ask, on the general mor the magic eloquence ofthese unlettered men. ality of the place? I answer, good, decided They spoke ftom the heart to the heart, Tlte ly. Profaneness—a twin vice with drunk drunkard fouqd himself unexpectedly an ob- enness—is now but seldom beard. Our jeet of inteiest. He was no longer au out- streets are quiet, and uproarious revelry is not cast. There were some who still looked often witnessed, A wonderful caltn has upon him as a man. A chord was reached spread itself over our city,, and crime much which had long since ceased to respond to less frequently engages the attention of our other influences less kind in iheir nature, municipal cuurte. One of the justices- ob The light of hope too shot its ray deep into his dark soul. There stand men who had cast off’ fetters equally gaffing. They had broken from the tyrant; and had come to erved, that lbr three weeks after the reform began, there w a s not a single commitment The Washington Society has also been active in ferteting out crime, and, combining their invoke oihers to rise to the same dignity and efforts with the police, have broken up some freedom. Afier a breach had been made in deos of infamy, and driven their inmates be- the strong fortress of intemperance, it is as- youd the limits of the corporation, touishtng how soou the enemy capitulated. The pecuniary gain to the laboring man The work ofyears seemed to have been done am not able to stale, though il must be very up in days. In one week, 1 may say, the considerable. 1 heard one man, a carpenter, moral aspecl.of this city iri respect to tern- say, on signing tlie pledge, “ T hat act wi perance was changed. The social principle put into nty pocket a hundred dollars a year.” operated with great powei. A few leaders He had been a hard drinker. Several young in the ranks of intemperance having signed men made a calculation of the savings from the pledge, it appeared to be the signal forthe the discontinuance of tbe use of alcohol; and triass to follow; and on they catne like a lor- one of them told me, and he thought it must rent sweeping every thing before it. Jt was beat least one hundred dollars a day. Cer for weeks the all-absorbing topic. Men and tain il is lhat a vast transfer will take place women went hand in baud tothe work; and from the till of the grocer to the pocket of day after day the evening sun set upon the the laborer, open places of our city to listen to the atgu- The number ot rum-vending establish menls and appeals of the temperance advo- menis, of various kinds, when the reform cate. Songs was composed and sung, blend- began, was said to be between seventy and ihg patriotism and temperance; and “ auld eighty. It is noiv reduced. Thirteen have lang syne\ vvas baptised in cold water aiid eilher shut up, or ceased lo sell the poison converted ftom a baohanalian to a moral pur- W e are expecting more to close in the spring, pose. J could write sheets of paper in de- Some of these depended almost entirely on tailing the incidents ofthese weeks of reform the sale of liquor, and they received their death blow, One after another )bey are closing from absolute patronage. Even where family groceries are kept in rum-selling stores^ there is a great reluctance, on the part of our temperance citizens, to enter them ’; and many are conscientious in nol purchasing at such places a Single nrtiele. As yet, I regret to stare, we have no hotel on. the tem perance principle. The reform has extended into the country, and for beyond’. > It was early an object of so* icitude to spread the good work; and deputa tions were despatched into various parts o f the’ county, who labpred with great success. T h e Work is still in progress in alm o st every place vve hear from. An agent has been employed, Whose whole time is devoted to the cause. Thet effect on our social habits is truly de lightful. The inebriating eop is no longer a part of hospitable entertainment. The “ feast of teason and tite flow of soul\ ean be enjov* ed wiihout any atuficial stimulants, Our wealthiest citizens have come, into this plan ‘r nd entertainments are given at which the hateful beverage is not seen. A number or respectable young gentlemen—all methbersr J believe, qf (be. temperance society—made, on new-year’s day, Sixty calls, and saw intoxicating jJrink'in their whole route. Our last, election was the most peaceable ever ex perienced into tbe city. Indeed, the whole- air of the place has been favorably affected by the temperance reform. In comparing our situation asa community . will) what it was one year ago, vve conpot but exclaim, “ What bath-God'wiOught?\ It a p pears to me, that every one who has watcher! be progress of this work must recognize he hand of a merciful and co-operating Providence. We are not rematkably a r e ligious people; and yet the genetal sentiment has been, “the finger of God has been in this hing.” Said one of the reformed drunkards, ‘Do you wish, my friends, to know why,the reform in Hudson has taken so deep a hold- nd resulted so tloriously ? 1 will tell you. The hand of God has been acknowledged, nd his aid imploted, ftom the very begin ning. Let us not ascribe the glory tohuman agents; let us give it to him to whom fi of righ# belongs.\ Never should temperance, agents and temperance lecturers lose sight off this great principle. It is a work too im- mense to be achieved by human bands. T h e strong man will laugh defiance at any power less than omnipotent. It is in this work a s in tbe work of revivals, every means appro priate must be plied with umiting zeal; but the dependence for success must be on God, The difficulty of carrying out this reform over the length and breadth of our land you are perfectly aware of. We owe, under God, its thoroughness in this place to united and continued efforts following the first victory',. We have endeavored to fortify as vve ad vanced. But we have one faciihy which larger places have not. Our prfpulaiion is just extensive enough for the operation of symphstby. W h a t is done in one part o f the city is known instantly in every other. This gave us a great advantage in the onset;, and it enables us to exercise a salutary super vision even now. But in great cities like New York, a sort of guerilla warfare must be carried on. Public opinion loses somewhat its power. The enemy feels not its intimidating ftown. Men are strangers to each other, a n d social sympathy has less force for good, Whilst it is all powerful for evil. In such circumstan ces the only plan it seems to me, promising’ success on a great,scale, is in the division o f labor; a plan which, I believe, you have adopted and pursued. In no other way can an-effectual blow be struck at the patronage of the rum vender. The past year has been rich in results to tbe teritperance cause. Stiff only a begin ning bas been made. Avarice and deep- seated lust are not foes of feminine weak ness. Even when they seem to yield, they are only reposing in hope, and watching an opportunity for regaining their position. I believe, however, that God is the originqmr of the temperance Cause, and that he designed only mercy by its operation. He lias sent it as a bow of promise, to signify that the fiery floods are abating; and that our scatbed world is to emerge from tlieir inundation, and put on an aspect of moral verdure little less lovely than the glories of a primeval paradise. ____ r From the Maine Temperance Gazette, l o s r, Within five years, Five Hundred dollars cash al interest; a F a rm worth one thousand; horses, cattle and sheep sufficient to stock i t ; mechanics’ and merchants’ confidence ; also the countenance of society ; a white, unstain ed face; the use of a pair of eyes; love and respect of a kind, amiable, and cheerful wife, and a numetouS circle of obliging and anxious friends; and in return, have found Sheriffs and Constables around me like crows about a county poor-house for a habitation ; a bloated scabby fate, red eyes, an empty purse, a suspicious character, the tears of a heart-broken wife, a whiskey bottle and the luxury of woe, a ragged coat and torn inex pressibles. If any one can find and return to me the lost property, and take (ioni me my present possessions, he shall be handsomely reward- 6 l ? ‘ - A V J 'C T I M ' Temperance.--- T h e last tippling house in> Jacksonville, Illinois, h a s been closed, through the influence o f th e W a shingtonians. f
