The Camden Journal

For the Journal.

Messrs. Editors: On the 25th inst, the Sandy Run and Smyrna Temperance Society met pursuant to adjournment, at Watling Spring Level, and was called to order by the President, Capt. D. Hugh Montgomery. An invocation was offered by Dr. Carlisle, and the proceedings of the prior meeting and a letter from Capt. M. P. Belcher, satisfactorily excusing his absence by delicacy of health, as expected orator of the day, were read by the Secretary—but business matters were then submitted in form of subjects, resolutions, &c. which you will observe in their due turn. A committee of three gentlemen, consisting of Dr. W. L. Picket, Dr. W. Carlisle and James Team, was, on motion, appointed by the chair to take into consideration our connexion with the State Temperance Society and report upon the following subjects, viz:

1st. Shall we send delegates to the annual meeting next month.

2d. The principles on which this Society was founded and to which we still adhere.

Report. The committee to whom was referred the subject of our connexion with the State Temperance Society, and other kindred matters, beg leave to report, that when this Society attached itself to the State T. Society the Washingtonian or Teetotaler organization was then in the full tide of its usefulness throughout the whole State. Other organizations however soon sprung up, and we now consider the State Temperance Society as existing only in name, and while we are willing to allow others the right we claim for ourselves of judging what organization best suits them, we proclaim to all whom it may concern, our unshaken confidence in that organization under which we work, and will not suffer it to be changed for any other that we have yet seen or heard of; and whether or not Northern ingenuity can continue to supply the Southern demand for new organizations we cannot say—but we are determined to continue in that way that hitherto has worked so well with us, and while we have not been pleased with all the acts of the S. T. S.; yet if that body continues in existence any longer, we are willing to be united with it, if we can be so united with the following principles, viz:

1st. We have no confidence in Legal enactments reforming men; our position is moral suasion alone, we persuade, not force men to be sober.

2d. We are opposed to the employment of any State Temperance Lecturer on any other ground than relying on those sections of country who invite him—to labor among them to support him. We make the above declarations of our principles in full view of the host we have against us, and are determined to be governed by them. Therefore be it

Resolved, That this Society be represented at the meeting of the State Temperance Society, to be held in Columbia, on the 27th of November next, by five delegates; one of which shall be the President of this Society, and the other four to be appointed as the Society may direct. All of which is respectfully submitted.

The foregoing subjects, resolutions, &c. were discussed at some length by Drs. Picket and Carlisle, put to vote and carried.

A committee of the following gentlemen, P. T. Mickle, J. P. Richbourgh and James Team, nominated the following representatives, which was confirmed, to the above named convention, viz: Dr. W. Carlisle, Martin Huckaby, W. B. Watkins, and James Team.

The following was then submitted and confirmed:

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Temperance Advocate and Camden Journal.

Messrs. Adam Team and Joseph Mickle were appointed speakers on the next meeting.

The Pledge was then read and presented, obtaining two names; during which a choice ode swelled on the breeze by voices naturally calculated to inspire soft emotions, variegated by the musical powers of Dr. Picket.

After benediction by Dr. Carlisle the Society adjourned to the 25th of December at Smyrna Church.

W. B. WATKINS, Sec.

Oct. 28th, 1850.