Temperance Procession

On Saturday last, the Harpers-Ferry Total Abstinence Society, joined by other societies, had their procession through the village, and attracted deep interest and attention. At about 10 o’clock, the societies came forth from their respective places of meeting, and united in a grand procession in the following order:–

1. The Harpers Ferry Total Abstinence Society, with a Banner containing the following devices: On one side, the names of the Society– on the reverse, a Tumbler with a fiery liquid overflowing, and serpents entwined around it, emblematical of the dire effects of the poison– with the words, “Poverty, Ruin, Misery, Death.“
2. The Methodist Juvenile Total Abstinence Society of Harpers-Ferry, with an appropriate Banner, emblazoning the name of the Society.
3. The Catholic Total Abstinence Society of Harpers-Ferry, with its Banner, on one side of which was the Cross and the name of the Society — on the reverse, a Hogshead, with a Death’s Head and other insignia, and the words, “Poison, Misery, and Death” — “Fruits of Intemperance.”

Thus formed, to the number of more than three hundred, the Procession was led off by Mr. Wm. J. Stephens as Chief Marshal, assisted by Dr. G. B. Stephenson, Edmund Chambers, W. S. Smith, Henry Andrews, Thomas S. Mulligan and John Little. The whole was flanked by Capt. Young’s Harpers-Ferry Guards, attended by the excellent Brass Band, with its thrilling music; and after marching through the principal streets, it halted in the Arsenal Yard, in the presence of a large crowd of delighted spectators, among whom were a just proportion of ladies. Here an exemporaneous Address was delivered by the Rev. STEPHEN SAMUEL ROZZELL, which was characterized by bold and original flights of eloquence, and by that energy of manner which always marks the efforts of this gifted and popular orator. We regret that the want of facilities in the open air, under a piercing wind, prevented us from catching and treasuring up some of the capital points made by the speaker, whose remarks gave universal satisfaction and elicited a hearty vote of thanks.

The occasion may be proudly remembered, in the annals of Temperance, as an evidence of the triumph of Reason over one of the most degrading Passions– and as a proof that the moral dignity of man is destined to assert its supremacy over the grosser qualities of his nature. — It was, indeed, a proud day for many, who felt themselves emancipated from the vile shackles that had hitherto fettered and debased them– and it was the harbinger of peace and comfort to many a household, in which, for years, the Demon of Intemperance had ruled with remorseless sway.