Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-05-20
From tie Portland .adcertiser.
REFORMED DRUNKARDS.

-
Try. The reformation in Baltimore particu-
larry, has been crowned with the most signal
triumphs. 1t Is said that 5000 confirmed
drunkards there, have signed the pledge of
total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks,
and several Of the number have become 50
thoroughly imbued with the importance OF
this glorious result TO the civil and moral con-
dition Of themselves and their families and
tho world, that they have become apostles in
this great cause oil philanthropy and human
happiness.
Several Of these persons have visited Bos-
ton, where they have collected large crowds
Of moderate and immoderate drinkers, and
produced upon their minds the clearest con-
victon of the folly and wickedness of longer
Persis'ing in the indulgence of the depraved
ana ruinous appetite for Intoxicating liquors.
we have been deeply interested with the
remarks OF Mr.. Hawkins, one of these mis-
eionaries, at Faneuil hall, and beg the atten-
zion OF all our readers to the extracts from his
speech which follow this article.
We will only add what Mr.. Hawkins him
sell stated on another occasion, '.that his fam
1iy was brought to abject poverty by his en-
cess In drink, and he pawned the coat off his
back, also his time piece for So which cost
him $40; his family, he said, were compell-
cd to sleep on the floor with only straw beds,
left.'
81 was born of respectable parents, land was
educated by a minister, and then bound out
TO the hating business, in as perfect grog-
shop as ever existed. A few days before |
lett Baltimore l found the old books of nv
master; there We're the names of GO men upon
1t, and we could recolect but one that did not
60 to drunkard's grave. Another halter
Gays II was just so on his books. AT enc
time there were lie ofus az apprentices; 8 Of
the IL have died drunkards, one is now in the
almshouse in Cincinnati one in the alms-
house OF Baltimore, one is keeping tavern
in Baltimore, and here am 1.
Fora while was prosperous, notwithsian-
ding drank on; did not expect the appe-
tte TO conquer me. Well, when 20 years
old, in 1918, l went to the West. AS soon
ias away from parental care, gave way, all
went by the board, and my sutierings COM
menced. For months had no shoes, and
only shlrtand pair ofpantaloons. Then
was vagabond indeed. But / returned,
ragged and bloated, TO my mothers home
When got to the edge of the town, was a.
shamed even to walk on the ground of my ma.
uvlty. In the dusk of the evening crept a.
long to my mothers aud was soon dressed up
decently.-My other only said, John, am
afraid you are bioated. then drank Moth
without, that at length took a glass of ale,
and all was over with me again; nv appetite
rushed on like flood and carried all before
It. And for Is years, time after time, rose
and fell; was up and down: would quit all,
and then take little glass. / would earn
Sl5a week, be happy and well, and with my
money In hand start for home, and in some
unaccouniable way, impercep,ibly and ire
slstlbly tall into tavern, and think one glass
only would do me good. But found a SIM
gle glass of ale would conquer all my resolu-
tions. appeal TO all my fellow drunkards il
u Is not exactly so--if the one glass of any
Intoxicating drink does not annhilate, by re-
vival OF the appetite, all resolutions TO resist
drinking on.
June 18th, l drank and suffered awfullv--
lcan'tteil you how much suffered in mind
lin body every thing, but in mind more.
drank dreadfully the two first weeks of June
--boughtb by the gallon, and drank, and drank,
and was about taking life-drunk all the
time. On the 18th, was wonder to nv
self; astonishcd | had any mind left, and vet
itseemed in the goodness ofGod uncommon
ly clear. laid in bed long after my wife
and daughter were up, and my conscience
drove me to madness. hated the darkness
OF the night, and when light came hated the
light. hated myself-my existence.
bie!" Not a being to take me by the hand,
md lead OF help me along and say YOU CAM"
was frlendless; without help, or light; an
outcast. My wife came up stairs and knew
was suffering, and asked me to go down to
breakfast. / had pint of whiskey, and
thought would drink; and yet knew it
was lie or death with me as decided
Moderate drinkers, beware! Take care YOU
don't get INTO this condition! Well, told
my wife would come down presently
Then my daughter came up and asked me
down. / always loved her. More because
che was the drunkard's friend---Iny only
friend. And then she said, Father don't
send me after whiskey to-day"
was tormented before, but this was unex-
pectet torture. told her to leave the cham
Der, and she went down crying, and said to
her mother, father is angry with me. Wife
came up again, and asked me to take some
coffee; told her did not want anything of
her, and covered myself in the bed. soon
heard some one enter the room, aud
peeped out and saw il was my daughter.
Ihen thought Of my past life; my degrade
ton; misery Of my friends; and felt bad e.
nough. So called her and said, ''Hannah,
am not angry with you, and shall not
drink any more" She cried and so did l.
got up and went to the cupboard and looked
at the enemy, my wiiskey bottle, and
thought, lis it possible can be restored"
and then turned my back upon it. Several
times while dressing, looked at the bottle
but thought | should be lost if yielded
Poor druukard there is hope for you. You
cannot be worse OF than was; not more de-
graded, or more of slave to appetite. You
can return if you will, Try it--ky a..
Well Monday night went to the Society
OF Dfunkards, and there found all my old
bottle companions. did not tell any body
was going, not even my wife. had got