The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-27

UdHu3 WllHC qutCh tiILl IdH uIouSH
her. Then her whole frame rembled in
accord with her futtering heart. The
face of Mr. Delaney was greatly changed
since she had last looked upon it Its calm
dignifed elevation had been restored, but
with what dfference-what before was
cheerful, was now sad.--very sad.
Mr.. President, he began, in subdued
voice, although had consented, at your
urgent solicitation, to address this large
assembly tonight, yet have felt so stronga
reluctance to doing so, that it has been with
the utmost difficulty, could drag myself
forward. But had passed my word, !
could not violate it.--As to relating my ex-
perience-that do not think can venture
upon. The past dare not recall. Would
to Heaven that the memory Of just ten years
Of my life were blotted OUT
The speaker paused moment, already
much affected. He, resuming in a frmer
voice, said 6i @2l@f
8 But something must be said Of my own
case, or shall fail to make that impress
sion on your minds that wish to produce.
Pictures Of real life touch the heart with
power, while abstract presentations Of
truth glitter coldly in the intellectual re-
gions of the mind, and then fade from the
perception like dissolving figures in the
diorama.
Your speaker once stood among the
first members of the bar, in neighbor-
ing State. Nay, more than that--he rep
resented his county for three years in
the Assembly of the, Commonwealth.
And more than that still--occupied seat
in Congress for two Congressional peri
ods.' tit s.3 ~
AT this announcement, the stiffness of death
pervaded the crowded assembly. ~
sAnd yet more than all that he contin-
ued, his voice sinking into a low thrilling
tone-s he once had tenderly loved wife
and two sweet children. But all these hon
ors, all these blessings have departed from
him. he continued, his voice growing lou
der and deeper in his. effort to control him
self He was unworthy TO retain them!
| His constituents threw him of, because he
had debased himself, and disgraced them.
And worse than all--shey who had loved
him devotedly who had borne him two
dear babes, was forced to abandon him, and
seek an asylum in her fathers house. And
why Gould become SO changed in
few short years? What power was there so
to abase me that my fellow beings spuned,
and even the wife of my bosom turned
away, heart-stricken from Inc? Alas my
friends-it was mad indulgence in mocke-
rys-A very demon-a Gree, changing the
human into the bestial.-But for this, and
were now an honorable and useful represen-
tative in Congress pursuing after my coun-
try's good, and blessed in the home circle
with wife and children. But | have not
told you all.--After my wife separated her.
self from me, sunk rapidly. A state of
perfect sobriety brought too many terrible
thoughts. therefore drank more freely,
and was rarely, if ever, from under the be-
wildering effects of partial intoxication. |
remained in the same village for some years
but never once saw her during that time
nor glimpse Of my children. At last be-
came SO abandoned in my life, that my wife
urged on by her friends, no doubt, filed an
application for divorce, and as cause could
readily be shown why it should be granted,
a separation was legally declared. To com
plete my disgrace, at the next Congressional
canvass, was left off the ticket. as unfit to
represent the district. then left the coun-
ty and State, where | had lived from boy
hood up
Three years have passed since then
For two years of that period ! abandoned
myself to the fearful impulse Of the appetite
had acquired. Then heard of this new
movement-this great temperance cause.
At first / sneered, then wondered, listened
at last, and finally threw myself upon the
great wave that was sweeping onward, in
the hope Of being carried by it far out of the
reach Of danger. did not hope with a vain
hope. 1t did for me all and more than /
could have deemed. 1t set me once more
upon my feet-once more made man of
me. A year of sobriety, earnest devotion to
my profession, and fervent prayer to Him
who alone gives strength in every good res
| olution, has restored to me much that have
lost-but not all--not the richest treasure
that proved myself unworthy to retain
not my wife and children. All between
myself and these the law has laid its stern
impossible interdictions. have no longer
a wife-no longer children-though my
heart goes out towards those dearly beloved
ones with the tendercst yearnings. Pictures
of our early days of welded love are ever
e