CHEROKEE PHOENIX
AND INDIANS' ADVOCATE
Wednesday, May 27, 1829
Vol. II, no. 8
Page 3, col. 2a
The cause of temperance is gaining ground in this nation, as will appear
evident from the following. We have seen two copies of the resolutions,
each of which contains about thirty names, and we are confident, in the belief,
that hundreds will enrol their names as friends of temperance, and endeavor,
by all suitable measures, to forward the happy reformation so auspiciously begun.
______________________________________
MR. BOUDINOTT.- I most heartily concur with your correspondent Philanthropist in the views which he has expressed in regard to the use of intoxicating liquor. I rejoice also to have learned that the benevolent effort which he has been recommending is already begun. With earnest desires for the furtherance of the cause I offer for insertion in the Phoenix the following translation, for the Cherokee, of three resolutions, with their preamble, which have lately received the signatures of a considerable number of persons.
"A most powerful enemy is abroad in our country. He is destroying many strong men. The mourning of the widow and the orphan is heard wherever that enemy has been. Unless we defend ourselves we shall be subdued before him. Let us all arise, and put him to death, or banish him beyond the limits of the Cherokee Nation.
1. We, whose names are undersigned, do now truly resolve, that we will not henceforth drink any whiskey, or rum, or any kind of distilled spirit, on any occasion, unless when it is prescribed, as a medicine by a physician.
2. We also resolve that we will use our endeavors to prevent every member of our family from drinking any distilled spirit, and not only the members of our families, but all persons, from bringing it to our houses, or keeping it there.
3. We further resolve, by our conversation, on all suitable occasions, to convince all persons of the expediency and importance of entire abstinence from the use of distilled spirits.
By good wishes to our fellow men, and by a desire for the prosperity of the Cherokee Nation, we are induced to make these resolutions, and to subscribe our names."
Permit me to recommend to those friends of the object who may yet give
their names, the insertion of the following resolution as the third of the series,
leaving that which is now the third to be numbers as the fourth.
3. We further resolve that we will not at any time buy or sell any kind
of distilled spirits, except for medical use in cases of bodily infirmity.
Several copies of these four resolutions, in Cherokee and in English,
will be printed on good paper; with room for signatures; and any individual
who feels a sufficient interest in promoting the cause of temperance to use
his influence in procuring names, will be furnished with a copy by applying
at the New Echota Post Office.
W.
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