The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-09-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Journal Of the Aauericam Tenn Union
A VOICE FROM THE DEAD: OR WILL.
LIAM GRAVES.


s"Those that have been hearsed in death
Must burst their cerements. Laws,
The sepulchre must ope its ponderous and marble
And cast them up again,
And they mus. fit across this globe,
And show their brief life.
sTo wipe all tears from all eyes, said the great
English moralist is task too hard for mortas;
but to alleviate misfortunes, is often within the
most limited power, yet the opportunities which
every day affords of relieving the most wretched
of human beings is overlooked and neglected
with equal disregard of policy and goodness
Perhaps there is nothing more efficacious to a.
rouse the community from this apathy, than the
history of those who are now lying among the
spois of the destroyer
Fifteen years ago, the tomb closed upon Will
liam Graves His family, too, are all passed "a
way; that not brothers or Il sisters heart will
he narrowed up at recital of his history.
first saw him at twelve. His countenance
was then blooming with health and bright with
inteli gence; but subdued manner and hesitat-
ing speech gave inmaon that the native bouy-
ancy of his spirit mad been sorely checked.
His morning had, indeed, risen in Clouds
Home had long ceased to be happy. His mother
was kind and gentle; but when his spirit mount
ed in wild mirth, her countenance would sink in
deep sadness; and though his father was often
all that he could wish, ne had learned to watch
for a strange change; and when he heard the
heavy shutting tread, then was the signal for
flight, .,., >. ..;, ~
afflicted mother to long tried and valued friend
He has one to guide him; he is a daily wit
ness ofhis fathers course-his brothers, they are
beyond my control, and in no business what Will
become of my darling child; he can go to no
school; that devourng gulf swallows up all we
have; he will grow up in ignorance ana Idlehess;
sweet boy; oh, could he be saved, l could
bear the rest alone' The appeal was irresisi
BILE, and William Graves was brought TO our vii
lage.
The family of the Graves was one of the first
in our country. No office there of state,
which some of the branches had not honorably
filled. The female part were no less distinguish
ed than the males, for high personal and mental
accomplishments. The father of William had
been eminent in the medical profession; but his
intemperance had rent from him an attached and
confding community, and broken down all his
rising family.
The clerical friend to whom angushed
mother had made her appeal, had Just parted
with his only son for liberal education; and in
compassion for this fallen family, whom he had
long known and loved, and in hope of rescuing
one who had been untouched by evil, he took
the boy to his home, training him up as his own
son in every virtuous habit, and fitting him Tor
some useful and honorable station in society.
Three years after, William Graves, by his man
ly countenance and affecting history, attracted
the attention of distinguished gentleman, and
all the means were provided for n liberal educa-
ton. His collegiate and professional career
were well sustained for he had heart winch
knew how TO be grateful.
Qualified for all the duties of life and ready to
meet its claims, with small library furnished
by his friends, and sufficient to keep him from
the fear of want, he planted himself in dense
population, distinguished alike tor its wealth. Its
activity and enterprise. career OF honor ana
profit rapidly opened before him. His unassum-
ing manners, his pure morals, his fidelity to his
professional engagements, won TOR him the conh-
dence and respect of the community; and the
heart and hand, too of one in every way quail
fed to perfect his happiness.
There i again saw him, midway TO the heights
OF human glory; and said, What reward this
TO his benefaetors, who had taken him rom under
that wretched roof; what an answer to the
prayers of a heart broken, pious mother. But,
alas he rose no higher. Suddenly was he hurl-
ed to an abyss of ignominy and despair; sudden
w, all the hopes of His friends were blasted; his
own purposes were given to the winds; and he
was hurried, prelnaturely, and wretchediy' 10 the
grave.
At that ii ne drunkenness was never attributed
to the cruel customs of society. No;-aii was
right there And if one and another fell before
the dread destroyer, the inquiry was made, wv as
not his father or mother Incorporate? And it he
was so, all were satisfied. So it was i'll the case
of William Graves. 1t was a family Jd't.ng.-
But our eyes, long blinded, are now unveiled.
When William Graves entered society, alcohol
uHuer every possible form, SWeeteneu tHe ihtoi
course of life; it was an element which seemed
essential to all the frailties of humanity; to sup
port under sorrow, and brighten every JOY; to
give strength for tolls, and to soothe to repose
in the political meetng it to be stfly min
gled that like the shrouds of ship when the
wind sits in its shoulder men might be able to
buffet all opposition; in the literary club-here
could be no flash of wit without the sparkling
wine; no corruscation could come from the cham
hers of imagery, to dazzle with its brightness, til
those portals were unfolded by this syren: in the
musical associations inspiration must be quaff:
ed from Bacchus before the Tyre could give forth
its richest melodies, or the full band be toned tc
perfect harmony; at the festive board,-it was bu
an act Of chiyary to pledge each lady; and wher
the gentler sex had retired, it evinced highly
classic mind to discriminate the several ylntages
and exquisite was that practsed taste which could
discern the rich. rina favor wrought out only by