Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-02-15
From the Juliet Courier.
WASHINGTONIAN MEETING.


Tuesday evening the 18th inst. Remarks were
made by several reformed drunkards, and others,
abstracts of which | send you below for publica-
ton.
VINCENT MATTHEws.-I feel very diffident, but
If can do any good, am willing to talk. | have
some experience In temperance, and can relate the
mlserles of lntemperance. Twenty years or more,
L was confirmed drunkard. was born and rails
ed In a tavern-was In the army in the last war,
and after that became stone cutter. | drnked
great deal of liquor at that time. Yes and from
the time [ was II or Is, but was not called
drunkard until was %. Three years ago found
myself here laying about the streets no coat no
character. L have often borrowed a coat to come
to town with | shall make no more remarks now
but before the meeting closes, | mean to tell YOU
something about the s years | was vender of in
toxicating drinks.
JOHN SHowERs-It is not pleasant for me to get
up before such congregation, and speak, but will
try. When | was young, formed the habit of
using liquor. For IL years | have disgraced my
self and my friends. Many night have laid
awake all night to contrive how should get some
liquor In the morning. | was once professor of
religion ; but ardent spirits caused me 10 wander
and friends in this assembly, you have seen my
course Now feel thankful to the Lord that he
has helped me.
fellow creatures, have confidence to face you all,
and speak of the evils of using ardent spirits
My father kept public house. He had wine
beer, rum, and brandy, and drink called whskev;
| drinked at pleasure. In those days the young
maldens spurned the drunkard; and as | had then
no peculiar relish for it, | let it alone. However
soon got entangled with woman, and married
and had made my fortune 1 had no more
concern about the maidens. In the small town
where | lived, they wanted justice of the peace,
and my friends wanted | should accept of the Office
After some reluctance consented to it and was
elected. So | mingled with the high folks as it was
called | was often asked to drink, whenever |
passed along the street, some one would call out
"Come Squire, come in and take something with
me-" l was determined not to drink. and held out
about month, perhaps two; but finally Welded,
and went drinking till loved it. 1t was mt long
before | got drunk, and instead of going home Law
in the bushes-I felt bad; it was the first time
thought of my wife. Finally when | got home
very late, wife said ''what made me so later "Oh
my business,I could mt get through sooner said l.
"But,' said she, 81 smell liquor" We'll, thought
|, IL not get caught in this way again. But had
more courage after getting drunk few times l
could face army, and drink, did't care where
it was, and | did Mt for 40 men neither I
have since often been drunk, | thought that was
not a sot, only moderate drinker; drinkcd some
where between glass and barrel. If the Lord
had not turned me | have no doubt that my family
would have become drunkards. But by the grace
of God they are saved am sober, and have enou oh
yet to keep my family at home.
JOHN WARD.-I was born a drunkard, or in 9TH
er words the good old lady who superintendent on
that occasion, thought me mean little fellow; and
fed me some liquor to make me stand the winter
| was born In November She used to give me H.
Quor till | cried and then to make me quiet. From
that time [ grew worse until | was "a, and finally
| went to selling liquor myself and got to be
regular sot was so that could mt sleep without
first getting drunk. | would have the nightmare
oh he world on M | da 81,
eyes, because knew should see all sorts of hob
COLLINS. | tried to quit would join a temperance
society, but once took solemn oath on the Bible,
and then broke 1t In three months. About the
winding up. | went to Philadelphia with $1,000 in
cash. and spent 1t ALL and pawned every thing had
for liquor. | remember the last thing was pencil,
that | had pawned for six shlings and got drunk
on it. Then | was at a loss what to do; went over
to Jersey; thought of several plans could Mt de-
eide whether l would go to ghway robbery or
stealing, or whether | would kill myself could mt
very well go to robblng stealing, because | had
companions and nobody to learn me how to
manage, finally determined to kill myself, and
went down the river to if my courage would
hold out. But | afraid / should be found
had wife In Delaware, and did Mt want any body
to know what had become of me- | wandered
about to see ': could mt find something to buv L.
quor with. | discovered some little thing about
myself, and went back to Philadelphia and got
drunk again. The next push was enlisted in the
army, but my friends got me out and sent me off
here. Three years ago | quit drinking entirely,
and now have no desire for it, | should not have
said any thing only that feel it duty If was
in the habit of speaking, | could tell a tough tale
Mr. Avord, of Salina N. Y. made some very
appropriate and eloquent remarks, and very beau.
tIfuily alluded TO the Emerald Isle.
DIR. A. NJ G.. Comstock, was then called and
occupied a few moments In interesting manner
MATTHEWS again took the floor, and spoke from
his own experience, OF the arts and allurements of
dram sellers. He said IN substance,-I have paid
thousands of dollars for what know of this sub
ject, and am licensed to speak the truth plainly
The enemy has been rallied out of the Eastern
country and they collecting their strength here
and even In thus village, they have one black hole
Wen rout them of this, and push them on to
the Pacific Ocean. Come my friends, and let
us do our duty-scientific lecturing is done away
wlth-dealers are engaged in the dirty filthy bust
ness of the devil; excuse me if | give vent to nv
feelings.
1 know all about this business, have been in it
myself | used to keep shop in Columbus, by the
side of a great market. Many time have taken
money for liquor, which / knew the poor family
needed to buy provisions with. have sold a quart
of liquor to a man, when knew his wife would be
beat before it was all drinked. Once took three
shllhngs for liquor which destitute family had
sent for meat have entced the young apprenti-
ces and scholars, whose parents had supplied them
with money to go to school, into my shop and made
business of rObbing them of their money. They
used to begin by playing domino, fipng the copper,
pulling straws, &c; and end with drinking and
gambling, and running away. | used to admit
them secretly into the back door, after they were
fully initiated; and every mouth must be mum
spectlng deeds done there. This is my history in
the business, and mine is no extraordinary case. |
know well how the thing is managed. This is the
way with the whole gang. They keep few loaves
of bread and nick-nacks, but they all ofno
sequence whiskey is the main thing, whiskey is
the whole. The rest is mere show, to keep up APP
pearances and call customers. have had my senses
taken from me by liquor put into my food by these
characters, that they might get my money. a gro-
Gerry keeper once offered the lady where boarded,
$50 If she would get me drunk, had some money
and he knew how to Get II. | consider the hi Oh