Richmond Palladium

Messrs. Editors:—The cause of temperance cannot be otherwise than deeply interesting to every good man—to every heart responsive to virtue or religion. Although since its commencement its history has been various; changing its modes of operation, as the necessities of the times, and public sentiment seemed to demand, yet its leading object has been the same;—the redemption of the drunkard from his thraldom, and the prevention of the influences of intemperance, over the minds of the rising generation.

This cause is founded upon moral obligation, and sustained by love of virtue: and it must and will prevail, over that opposition which is founded in ignorance and sustained by selfishness. Not like the meteors' transient light, dazzling for a moment and leaving the world in utter darkness, but like the glorious orb of day, before whose steady light ignorance and selfishness shall die away.

This glorious cause finds a hearty response in the bosom of every philanthropist; seeking as it does the greatest good to the greatest number—striving to spread hope and joy in places long made dark and desolate by the blighting influences of intemperance—seeking to reclaim man from his fallen condition and elevate him to that position which he was created to occupy.

Does this cause receive that support in our community which its importance demands? We think not. The blighting and withering influences of intemperance are seen and felt in our midst, causing suffering and misery in the families of many of our citizens, exercising as it does a pernicious and demoralizing influence over our youth. And yet many persons professing to be advocates of temperance, sit idly down, their arms folded in indifference, instead of lending their aid and influence to those organized societies, whose only object, and every effort is to arrest the progress of this alarming evil.

We would call upon all good citizens, and especially upon all temperance men and women, to come out and aid us in drying up the fount from which this evil flows.

"Father" have you a son who is tampering with this vice, who is in the road which must lead to his ruin? Warn him by every consideration of personal happiness, here and hereafter, to fly at once from the dangers that beset him. Mother, throw around him the shield of your holy, irresistible influence. Come out then all, and lend us your aid, let no considerations of personal inconvenience keep you back, the best interests of our common country—the lives and comforts of the innocent—the sufferings of the destitute and the dying—everything sacred to humanity, patriotism, and religion calls upon us to aid in the redemption of our countrymen, and our race from this damning vice. Young man, beware of temptations which are thrown around you! Beware of the advances of this insidious monster! Be not enslaved by the allurements which have been devised to lead you to destruction. Think not that you are invulnerable when some of the first of earth have fallen. "When even he who wept for other worlds to conquer, was himself the victim of this weakest of all follies." Remember that there is a curse pronounced upon all those who tarry long at the wine."

X. Y. Z.
Richmond, Jan. 1st, 1850.