The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-06

The President then introduced to the notice of
the meeting the
Hon Mr.. BaIGos who thus addressed il ITO drink or
drink that is the question and question which
involves of human happiness of human misery
than almost other which can be presented the mind
1t is question which occupies to unparalleled
tent the minds of the community and agatss less
almost every land The extent of that agitation and the
consequences which have resulted from cvnce the vast
importance of this question The details connected with
widespread ravagcs of intempcrance were too well
known to require enumeration But since the agta
ton OF this great question what reformation has
red Habits have been changed-opinon has been
changed-appetite has been subjected to the voice
of reason, and to the admontons of conscience
In the agitation of this question numberless indivi
duas have been raised up from the very depth of
ferng and degradation to responsibility and happiness
These blessed fruits every where apparent all
this blessed country and flourish glorously other
lands He was not sufficiently ycrsed the statistics of
temperance 10 enter at large that topic but he would
recall their recollection the CRAFTY ing fact men.
toned amectng in this city the former evening that
during last year 200 900 people had signed the pledge
in this country But that only item in the long
catalogue OF the blessings OF the temperance reformation
But ago the opinion that Intoxicating liquors
were necessary and useful was almost unvcrsa-but
wondrous change has come over the public mind this
point, and with it as wondrous a change of habit
And the change has perry AIDED all rpnks and classes
hes extended TO those in official station and the
suit has been the banshncu of alcohol from the raton
OF the soldier In the navy the good cause is also pro
crossing gorously, and very many merchant ships
float the without ardent spirits except in the medi
cine chest. And this great reformation began in thi
world All over Europe it is moving onward in prosperi
" and triumph. In Francein Prussia-in German -ir
distant Russa--n England--n Scotland--and oh how
gorousy in old Ireland Ireland rodden down for ages
Ireland, generous hearted, oppressed Ireland sfrug
gg 'or ages IN the deep morass Of degradation and sink
ing deeper and deeper at every struggle She has nj las
hsr-el upon the rock of Temperance and sh
"a sns rom hsr degradation, and presenting herself {,
| me world, glorious example of a temperate nation
Nearly SIX millions OF her population have taken III,
all classes ali ranks all conditions
people Who can estimate the results OF such pa,ion.
movement Amsng the interesting anecdotes of IN,
blessed results OF the reformation effected through the in
strumentaity Of Father Mathew ne mir M ,ssn,s -
to one was tina, OF poor Irish female peasant who r
lated her experience of the happy fruits of omneranc a,
public meeting She was the mother four chSren an
and for many years her husband had been grossly
l perate He earned twenty one shlngs week b, sron
all but six in drink thus leaving his family almost drs
tutc. At last, however he joined the Temperance s.
I cety, and brought home his whole weeks crnings ri
wife feared this change would be but temporary hu,
II continued week after week, and she saved unknown
him. all but six shngs every week, till she had enoup
10 purchase table handsome tea things for it, six chat