Constitutional Whig

COMMUNICATIONS.

FOR THE WHIG.

TEMPERANCE.

Messrs. Editors—A correspondent of the Whig, whose signature is P. P., has favored us with a long article on Cholera, in which he endeavors to give the coup de grace, en passant, to the Temperance Society. One of your readers would like to be informed what good object is to be promoted by that singular production. It would be uncharitable to doubt that the writer's intention was to do good, either to himself or to his country; but what the good is, unless it be that which Milton makes Satan call his good, ("Evil, be thou my good,"), my poor faculties do not enable me to discover.

Not long ago we were favored with the obituary of a gentleman, known by all in his neighborhood to be alive and well. May not this P. P. article have emanated from the same "figurative pen?" It seems to hail from the same point of the compass.

I have long since learned the truth, that the most bigoted and intolerant people, are your free thinkers and loose-talkers. But, why this P. P. should deem it his duty or interest to slander the members of the Temperance Society in the lump, I never expect to learn. That must ever remain a mystery to all, but the Priest of Bacchus—this Cretan's confessor. The datum upon which he would rest his reasoning for the encouragement of tipplers, is incorrect. He assumes, as true, that, from the necessity of the case, our slaves are more temperate than the white population; then takes the established fact that cholera has been more fatal to blacks [slaves and free] in our towns, on navigable waters and other highways, and hence draws the conclusion, that too much agency is ascribed to intemperance, in the destructive work of cholera. We all know that the fact assumed, so far as it relates to the slaves in towns and on highways, where cholera has prevailed most, and proved most fatal, is not true. Besides, what account can he give of the free negroes, among whom it has been equally fatal in proportion to their numbers? But, let it be granted, that some enthusiasts charge too much mischief to intemperance. Is intemperance such a harmless, amiable affair, that its defenders may disregard truth, and set at nought the concurrent testimony of both hemispheres, in their efforts to bring odium upon those who view it as a hydra abomination, debasing its victims to brutes, and addicting its abettors to misrepresentation, the meanest among petty vices? Judging from the confident airs and bold assertions of Mr. P. P., we must infer that he is some pet oracle, in his neighborhood, who has recently had his pride wounded, or his conscience chafed, by some "renegado vagabond priest." If your correspondent will demonstrate "as how" the Temperance Society does more harm than good, one at least will withdraw from it. Further, if he will point out one member of the Temperance Society who does not give his servants a morsel of meat, even at Christmas, he will somewhat atone for his wilful misrepresentation of the Society. Let him lay aside general denunciations and hot-blooded epithets, the weapons of imbecility, and come forth with his strong arguments. He will find more than one ready to defend the "pure cold water gentry" with the words of truth and soberness.

It has not been more than two weeks since the writer of this was told by a Physician of your town, that the temperate habits of Mr. Barclay's man, Bob, who was attacked by cholera, saved him.—That Physician is no member of a Temperance Society, that I know of. His professional opinion is entitled to confidence. Any other opinion of his would claim respect, inasmuch as he is a sensible man and a gentleman.

Yours,

HOWARD.