Litchfield Enquirer

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS IN WOODBURY.

Anything touching the subject of the Temperance Reformation at this time, must possess some degree of interest to the general reader, identified as it evidently is, with the welfare and happiness of thousands of our fellow citizens.

Nowhere, perhaps, have greater efforts been put forth by the Washingtonians to stay the course of the horrid demon of Drunkenness, than with us; and nowhere, I presume, has it met with more vigorous opposition, not from those who had already fallen beneath the withering touch of this monster, for they, for the most part, have been redeemed from their degradation, but from the self-styled moderate drinkers, who still continue to prate about the abuses in the use of alcohol, and affect to wonder, at this late hour, how it can be their duty to suffer a painful aridity, because some of their neighbors have ventured a little too far, not thinking that they are pursuing the self-same track, and will soon be found on a level with the lowest, unless timely rescued in their career. A circumstance occurred in our village last evening, which serves to show how differently some people would conduct themselves in relation to this matter, could they be brought to "see themselves as others see them."

It seems that the friends of temperance had made arrangements with Mr. Symes, of New York, to deliver a course of lectures before the Society, and that a meeting had been appointed for this purpose, at the South Congregational Church, by the clergyman of that, and the other parishes in the place. When the time arrived, a large number assembled at the door, when, lo! they found it guarded by two men, who if moderate in drinking, were certainly very immoderate in other respects. By these gentlemen, they were given to understand, with many oaths, that the house could not be entered for any such purpose.

Whereupon it was thought better to adjourn to the Town House, and settle the point with these gallant defenders of the cross another day, than to attempt to reason with two such spirited individuals as they evidently were that evening. The result was, as is apt to be the case, where bad men attempt to force down a righteous cause. The meeting was crowded, and the number on the pledge was swelled to no less than four hundred and forty-three; and many more, I am informed, stand ready to subscribe, at their next meeting, on Monday evening, when it is hoped that those protectors of the church, will favor us with the light of their countenance, that the speaker may feel encouragement in his good work.

SOBRIETY.