Harpers Ferry Temperance Convention

THE HARPERS-FERRY TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.
On Wednesday morning, December 1st, 1841, a number of Delegates from the Temperance Societies of Jefferson and Loudoun Counties, assembled in this village, to hold a Convention, previously called by the Total Abstinence Society of Harpers-Ferry.

The Convention was organized by the appointment of the following officers:
Rev. N. J. B. MORGAN, President.
Dr. MARLOW and Dr. G. B. STEPHENSON, V. P.
Rev. Wm. EVANS and Dr. J. GARRY, Sec’ries.

The President on taking the chair made a few remarks, and proposed opening the deliberations of the occassion with prayer.
Prayer by Rev. Wm. Evans.
The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to prepare business for the consideration of the convention, to wit:– Dr. George B. Stephenson, E. H. Chambers, Dr. J. Garry, David Carr, A. Kalb, Isaac Hinkle, Rev. William Evans.

Resolutions of the Business Committee.
FIRST,
That this Convention do express its devout thankfulness to Almighty God, that it has been permitted to assemble in behalf of one of the most important moral enterprizes of the age, under circumstances of peculiar mercy; and it fervently implores wisdom from above, that it may devise and adopt such measures as shall promote the advancement of the Temperance cause throughout this region of country.

SECOND. That we have met here on a most important subject, one of intense interest to the friends of humanity, virtue, order and religion, and that we will discuss it calmly, temperately, and rationally.

THIRD. That it is highly expedient and proper that the different Temperance Societies adopt some uniform pledge as the basis of action, and that the following be recommended, viz. :– I most solemnly pledge myself not to use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or in any way that may lead to intoxication; that I will not traffic in them; that I will not provide them as an article of entertainment, or for persons in my employment; and that, in all suitable ways, I will discountenance their use throughout the community.

It is further recommended, that all persons joining the Total Abstinence Society be required, (the pledge having been previously read to them,) to subscribe their own names; and when they cannot do it, the duty to be performed in their presence by an individual appointed for the purpose.

FOURTH. That a District Convention b recommended to the different local societies, to be composed of the following counties, viz:– Loudoun, Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, and any others, disposed to participate therein; that the said Convention be held Feb 22d, 1842; that the ratio of representation therein, be one delegate for every twenty members of the different societies. Provided, at the same time, that any society having less number than twenty members, shall be entitled to one delegate.

And be it further resolved, that the following gentlemen be a committee to correspond with the societies in the prescribed limits of the district, to ascertain the most eligible place to hold the Convention, viz: Rev. E. P. Phelps, Dr. G. B. Stephenson, James Fitzsimmons, Rev. N. J. B. Morgan.

FIFTH. That the Convention recommend to the different local societies, therein represented, the formation of Juvenile Total Abstinence Societies, wherever practicable, within their bounds.

SIXTH. That it is highly important that an effort should be made for the formation of Total Abstinence Societies in the respective villages, towns and neighborhoods, embraced within the proposed Conventional District.

SEVENTH. That for the promotion of the object presented in the preceding resolution, the following gentlemen be authorized and respectfully requested to visit said towns, &c. and lecture on Temperance; and, if practicable, form Total Abstinence Societies, therein, viz: Rev. E. P. Phelps, Rev. W. Evans, T. N. Davidson, Loudoun. Rev. N. J. B. Morgan, Rev. M. G. Hamilton, Rev. S. S. Rozell, J. A. Fitzsimmons, Dr. J. Garry, Jefferson. Rev. N. L. Fish, Morgan. Rev. Wm. Hamilton, Frederick.

EIGHTH. That it be recommended to the Temperance Societies of Loudoun and Jefferson Counties, that they celebrate, on the 4th of July, 1842, at Harpers-Ferry, the glorious progress of Total Abstinence.

Miscellaneous Business.

FIRST. That this Convention recommend to the different local societies the formation of corresponding committees.

SECOND. That all the newspapers within the proposed District, be requested to publish so much of our proceedings as are embraced in the 4th resolution of the business committee.

THIRD. That the Newspapers of Loudoun and Jefferson, be respectfully requested to publish all the proceedings of this convention.

FOURTH. That the thanks of this convention be presented to its officers for the faithful discharge of their duties.

The convention then adjourned sine die.

Much other miscellaneous business was introduced for the consideration of the convention; many questions of vital importance were ably discussed, but after mature deliberation were negatived. The convention apprehending a direct affirmative movement thereupon at the present, premature– their publication would therefore be injudicious– Many provisions also incorporated, with the resolutions of the business committee, were adopted miscellaneously, and as reports of select committees; but being immediately connected with those resolutions, it has been deemed expedient, for the consecutive arrangement of our proceedings, to give them the position they now occupy.

Before taking a final leave of this subject, we must be permitted to express the high gratification with which we witnessed the proceedings of this convention. It was an occasion of deep interest to all present,– spectators as well as delegates–35 of whom, representing at least 1000 temperance members, assiduously labored, in feelings of a common brotherhood, to arrest the footsteps of a formidable foe to our common humanity.

After sitting in council two successive days, at 8 o’clock, on Thursday night, we separated, to bear with new kindred zeal, the tidings of our deeds to the respective societies that had honored us with their confidence.

N. J. B. MORGAN, Pres’t.
WM. EVANS, J. GARRY, Sec’ries.