Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-01-17
Correspondence ofthe Alias.

w tSHtNGroN, January 9th.
A circumstance OF very gratifying character,
has recently taken place in this city, which will
afford no small pleasure to all who delight to wit
ness The probable rescue OF noble intellect from
the inevitable ruin that but yesterday seemed TO
threaten it, Probably oil the readers Of the Atas
have heard OF Mr.. Marshall, the gifted member
from Kentucky. near relative of the late
Chief Justice Marshall, nephew, believe, und
himself possessed of mind OF almost unsurpass-
ed powers, and eloquenco almost unriyaled; n
winning beauty and putlos, minglng with occa-
sonal wit and pleasaary, Of no ordinary point
and vgor in his oratory; he was every way quail
flied to make one of the most shining and brill
lint lights in Congress- hut for one single failing.
That was poisoning the whole of the rich treasure
of intellect with which nature had most literally
endowed him, and threatened TO bring to a
dishonorable close career, which otherwise
would have been so bright. That failing, once so
common, so almost lnseparablc from men of gen.
ius and splendid intellect, but most happily no
longer 50. a disposition too yielding to the fatal
fascination of the maddening bowl, was sappiug
with fearful rapidly both his powers Of mind
and Of body.
This failing, the unsparing and slanderous pens
of political enemies and hreling defamers, had
already more than whispered about. They had
in many instances, misrepresented and exaggera-
ted TO a shameful degree, the extent Of Mr.. Mar
shas excuses. In his recent speech on the tar
tf he himself referred TO the relentless luminosity
with which he was pursued, and in very touch
ing and affecting munner, demonstrated against
the cruel injustice that had been done hun. For
himself he cared nol-ile was too hardened to
fear their shafts, envenomed AS they We're. But
when he snw their arrows quiyering in the bosom
OF his poor old mother and of his sister, it was
more than he could bear unmoyed.
Poor Marshall there was not one who heard
bin, who did not feel for him, while yet they
could not help seeing, too that il was i'll great
part his own fault that it was so. How few there
were of those, however, who imagined that with
in few weeks, that man was destined 10 un-
dergo an entire change. Yet SO it is. The Mt
lacks and ISLANDERS Of The iocofoco letter writer's
although written in malice, have had the good ef-
feet of awakening him to the degradation and
wretchedness TO which he was fast hurrying
Yesterday he was induced TO ponder upon his
condition, and his prospects, and he formed the
determination to give up at once and entirely the
| fatal indulgence, so fast sapping his constitution
and intellect
| Ho applied to MIR. George N. Briggs the mem
| Der from Berkshire district in our own State, who
has interested himself in the cause of temperance
| to very great extent for information as to the
| best manner in which he should join the Wash
ingtonians He wished to sign the total abslin
ence pledge on the spot: Mr.. B. accordingly
drew up the usual pledge, which MIR. NJ. signed
upon tho spot in the Hall Of the House of Repre-
sentatives The moment his signature was atfix
ed, Mr.. NJ. exclaimed, am now happy man
| load is removed from my heart. And it was very
evident he spoke the truth. Last evening he at
tended, with Mr.. Briggs, temperance meeting
and came forward and signed the pledge publicly
When his name was annexed, il was gree,ed will
marks OF appreciation, mingled with not a litl
surprise.
lie afterwards favored the meeting with one o
the most beautiful and touching addresses, eve
listened TO on the subject.
For his own sake, and for the sake of The coun
try TO which he is destined TO be so bright or
nameni, if he continues in his present resolution
it is to be most earnestly hoped, that Mr.. Marsha
may have the iortitude to adhere to his preseu
determination