Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-03-05
SPEECH OF REFORMED DRUNK

Philadelphia, February 18th, 1912. f. s. NJ.
SPEECH OF A REFORMED DRUNKARD.
The following address was delivered in Fa-
neuil Hall, Boston, by Mr. Hawkins one of the
Reformed Drunkards from Baltimore, who are
now travelling as agents for the Temperance
Society.
MIR. UnwlSIns's Address.
When compare the past with the present
my days Of intemDerancc with my present
peace and sobriety-my past degradation with
my present position in this Hal-the Cradle
of Liberty, am overwhelmed. 1t seems to
me holy ground. never expected to see this
Hall. l had heard OF it in boyhood Twas here
that Otis and the elder Adams urged the prin-
ciples of independence, and we now meet here
to declare ourselves independent; 10 make the
second Declaration-not quite SO lengthy as the
old one, but promises ofite, liberty, and the pur-
suit Of happiness. Our Forefathers pledged
their lives, and fortunes, and sacred honors we,
too, will pledge our honor, our life, but our for
tunes have gone for Rum! Poor though we
drunkards are, and miserable, even in the gut
ter, we will pledge our lives to maintain sobr-
ETY..
The cause of Temperance! what is it, but
the cause ofhumanity | have suffered from
every description of ofdrunkenness; and borne the
heat and burthen of the day in Run MILLS,
(grog shops) and know all about it-and re-
tn in 10 nf 7 tl,o,
whereas was once drunkard am now So
Der man, and always mean to be.
represent 1000 reformed drunkarGs saved
in one year, now connected with the Washing
ton temperance society of Baltimore, AID its
auxiliares. Our society originated in grog
shop, where twenty ofus, all drunkards, resor-
ted. Our pledge was there drawn up, and
first signed by six persons who now stand firm
in the cause.-The President Mr.. Mitchell, is
a host in himself Our meetings are held eve
ry night IN the week, and we find it as pleasant
and good way to spend our time as it ever
was at tavern may, more pleasant, and in
earth. At our meetings we don't look at each
other, and say nothing. No! you can't keep
us from talking. One said, ~ feel better,
though am growing smaller, and look pale
my ideas are clearer: eat better, and feel
happy" Another; "my wife is SO happy, and
every thing goes so NICE at home the children
are so rejoiced,'' And 50 we went over the
ground, telling our experiences, aud We have
none too much time | assure you. We found
enough To tell about ourselves, our homes anc
our old grog-shops, to make long evening
short We would have no sectarianism NJ
politics or arguments, Whoever ventarcd up
on either was made to take his seat he mus
tell his own experience, and not another S
"'rell US how often you have been drunk, an
what rum has done to you and your family
and how you now feel, and what cold water
now doing for you.'
Total abstinence is the tass-no proscriT
zion of men, ONLY THE LIQUOR. Me
who sell Rum may take our pledge and loi
us; and we would like we'll to have the ma
who sells 20 kogsheads week come and a
tend our meetings, snd if we dad not give hil
enough am mistaken.--fIe knows when III
mechanic earns sl2 week and spends half
II at his tavern bar, that he has taken his m
pey and given no equivalent; that it is wror
30 vend an article that will send millions to
drunkard's grave We cover all under RI
and RuM-MuLs, You may talk OF your gin a
wine--it is no matter what you call it-'
know there is no difference you may as w