Phenix Gazette

Mr Editor:

I have read the proceedings and Constitution of the "Alexandria Temperance Society," published in your Saturday's paper, and cordially approve of the benevolent and pious purpose for which it has been formed. That it will prove beneficial I have no doubt.

It appears, however, to me, that there are some defects in the Constitution which might, and ought to be remedied. In article third it is said that "the use of intoxicating liquors is, for persons in health, not only unnecessary, but hurtful." Now malt liquors, wine and cider, are in a high degree intoxicating when taken in large quantities, yet when taken in moderation, are greatly promotive both of vigor of body, and of mind. In the Holy Scriptures instances are mentioned of the woeful effects produced by wine and strong drink, when indulged in to excess; and also many passages speak in language not to be misunderstood of their salutary effects, when used no doubt, with discretion. Indeed wine is mentioned more than once as one of the gifts of God; but alas, like all his other gifts often abused! From the same article it appears that distilled spirits may be used as a medicine in case of bodily infirmity. This is also exceptionable on the ground that "gives great room for deception, may elicit imaginary complaints, yield food for the tongue of slander, and produce unnecessary expense with quacks and doctors. The members likewise bind themselves not to furnish distilled spirits for persons in their employment,

Now this may operate very well with our friends to the east who are not cursed with slaves, and where if one hireling will not dispense with spirituous liquors, another will.- But how will the rule work here? For myself I can answer that I have a few poor fellows who from their first years of manhood, have been frequently obliged to labor during the hot summer months in low grounds, exposed to miasma of a very deleterious nature; and I have for many years deemed it necessary to give them, even in perfect health, a copious allowance of grog. Whether the withdrawal of this allowance would, or would not injure their health may be doubtful; but one thing is certain that they would do little or no work, and most probably feign to be sick. What is then to be done, I cannot resort to the lash. were I to attempt it my arm would be unnerved, and the instrument of punishment fall to the ground at the words "Master, I am your slave!"

It would greatly tend to obviate these objections, if the Society, in imitation of some other benevolent Societies, had also a Physician, whose duty it should be to obey the call of any member who wished advice as to the propriety of using distilled spirits as medicine, either on himself or by any member of his family, or other person in his employment: whose duty it should be to grant a license to the member requiring aid, and make report thereof to the Society in writing-for which services the Physician so appointed to be paid out of the funds of the Society a reasonable compensation for his services. As, however, it would no doubt be the means of introducing him into a very extensive practice, otherwise, his charges ought to be very moderate.

A Temperance Society ought also to be formed among the people of color, "bond and free:" by which means it would soon appear who among them were fit servants for temperate masters. As to the Incurables. I would suggest the following mode of treatment to be pursued with respect to them, though not entirely congenial to my own feelings, but it accords pretty nearly with a sentiment in a celebrated discourse on the evils of intemperance, which I heard about a month ago. Let the Temperate Societies unitedly furnish the means of procuring the requisite quantity of whiskey "of the baser sort:" to the masters or employers of the intemperate slaves and servants; and let them have full scope and liberty to use it at such times and in such quantities as their vicious appetite requires. By this means the old incorrigible drunkards will soon be ex tinct, and a new race of all colors will be reared up, who, like the Roman soldiers, will drink nothing but water, or upon extraordinary occasions mixed with a little vinegar or sour cider, which, at all periods, can be procured from that section of our country which, in wicked times, and until the late duty on molasses took place, supplied us plentifully with imitation Rum.

Having mentioned the ancient Romans, I must beg the Ladies not to be alarmed. If the Temperate Societies should insist upon extending the friendly custom of salutation, in order to make discoveries. they surely will have the discretion to prohibit all old men; snuff-takers, smokers and chewers of tobacco, of whatever age. from attempting such a delicate piece of service.

RECHAB.