Meeting of the Harpers-Ferry Total Abstinence Society

TO THE CITIZENS OF HARPERS-FERRY,
At a meeting of the Harpers-Ferry Total Abstinence Society, held in the Methodist Church on Thursday evening the 11th instant, the following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the Editors of the Free Press respectfully requested to publish them, together with the call for a town meeting.

WHEREAS, It has pleased the County Court of Jefferson, in exercising the civil powers vested in it, to license a number of small establishments for the retail of ardent spirits in the town of Harpers-Ferry– the Court aforesaid, being, beyond doubt, imposed upon by false representations of the necessity or propriety of said establishments in the town aforesaid; and whereas, such licensed establishments have been and [?] are of incalculable injury to our community, as well in its [?]bcial, as its civil and potential character, prejudicing our reputation [?], and disrupting our peace and prosperity at home; and whereas, it becomes an indigeant community to arise, and is the majority of its strength and independence to declare its most decided hostility against agressions that threaten disasters so formidable;

Therefore,
Be it resolved 1st, by the Total Abstinence Society of Harpers-Ferry, That we contemplate with deep mortification, the extensive retail traffic in ardent spirits in this village, especially in the great number of grogeries that line our streets.

Be it resolved 2d, That, as citizens and freemen, while we cultivate the highest feelings of respect for the civil authority, and the utmost deference for those invested with its prerogatives, it becomes our imperious duty, aggrieved as we have been and still are, to express our decided and unqualified disapprobation of the course pursued by the County Court in licensing so many establishments for the retail of ardent spirits in this village.

Resolved 3d, Believing it to be our solemn and sacred duty, as far as practicable, to adopt some measures for the suppression of this traffic amongst us, and especially of the grogeries, we will, and hereby do solicit, the co-operation of all the citizens of this village, in bringing our grievances upon the subject before the County Court at a proper time.

Resolved 4th, That the more effectually to promote the objects contemplated by the preceding resolution, we respectfully request the Secretary to call a meeting of all the citizens of our town to be held in the Free Church, and on the 1st Saturday in December next, at 6 o’clock, P. M.

Resolved, That the Catholic, and Juvenile Total Abstinence Societies, be, and hereby are, respectfully and affectionately invited to unite with, and sustain us in our endeavors to break down these strong holds of intemperance, that have so long reared themselves among us as pillars consecrated to the victories of death.

HUGH GILLEECE, Pres’d pro tem.
JAS. A. FITZSIMMONS, Sec’y pro tem.

Meeting of the Citizens of Harpers-Ferry.
In accordance with the above resolutions, the public are hereby notified that a meeting of all the citizens of Harpers-Ferry and neighborhood, friendly to the cause of bomasity, and who are willing to assist in restoring to our village peace, happiness and propsetiy, will be held in the Free Church, on Saturday the 4th day of December next, at early candle-light.
By order of the Society,
J. A. FITZSIMMONS
Secretary pro tem. Nov. 13.