The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-20
NO. 4.
D. S. MURRAY, PRINTER.

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After dinner, the prisoners were march.
ed out of their cells and arranged in order
convenient to see and hear addressed
Them Tor some minutes, eudeavorinr to
impress upon them the virtue of temper
ance, and the best means of reforming. if
they had ever INDUCED in the vice of
drunkenness. never saw more alien
tive audience. The pledges were laid
upon desk, and the invitation for all who
desired to sign. | enforced it upon them
that this should be their free acA- We
desire TO compel no one--to over persuade
none, but TO convince all that great good
would result to them, and to humanity, if
they would resolve to be temperate.
At first. there was an apparent reluct.
ance which well nigh discouraged me-
But when reflected, was glad it was
so. 1t convinced me that an Importance
was attached to the pledge. After a few
had signed, one came to me, and said =
i would be glad to sign, but [ do MT
want it known that | was ever on Black.
Wells Island
This solved the mystery. then as.
sured them that unless they Told it, it
should never be known where they sign
ed. They then came forward with a rush.
o, my brother, it would have done you.
soul good to have seen these poor fellows,
and heard their expressions while writing
their names, or making their marks
Each sentence was temperance lecture.
IF bod ham e. II
never have seen the inside of this build
ing soid-one.
If had done this ten years ago,
should not have been here, nor my family
in the poor-house,' said another.
was rich said third, 'and happy
till began to drink. What you say is a
solemn truth, can bear witness TO it all,
now | have resolved TO drink no more
We next went to The female department.
Here the scene was still more affecting.
Nearly all signed the pledge. One old
woman came to me and told me where
her brother lived. 'Oh, kind SIR said
she, "will you go to him and tell him [
have now done what he has, on his knees,
often begged me TO do
Another said, Il wish you would 60
and see nv husband, and tell him and
my children, - and her feelings over
powered her ulterance.
A black girl said she 'never thought
of drinking, til! her mistress, who was a
fashionable woman, sent her for wine, and
used to give her some if she would not
tell of it,
Several said to me, what shall we do
if we sign the pledge2 We shall want
10 keep it. If we do, who will take US
in and give us employment? We know
nobody except those who use it, and they
will not keep US unless we do. Can we
find any place where we can keep away
from it, and from vice p
assured them that all trie Washing
tonans would befriend them as long as
they would honor the pledge, and be true
TO themselves. Such hesilated no longer,
| am satisfied that were there place
provided where these poor outcasts could
be under kind treatment and good inffu~
ence, nearly all of them might be reclaim
ed, and humanity be cleansed from the
foul stain. Moral reform should not be
so much despised nor so unspariugly rid
icuIed.
Two hundred and sixty.seven signed
the pledge that day, most Of whom have
reason TO believe, will keep it ineioate.--
Twice since, temperance meetings have
been held in the evening, and near two
hundred more names have been added. -
In Sing Sing Prison six out of eight hun
dred have taken the pledge. Kindness
is beginning to do its work When will
it be complete?
Fraternally thine,
w. S. BLAKE.