The Washingtonian., 1845-06-21

composure, and triumph, and has passed away,
from the fields Of usefulness and honor, on
earth, to the land Of immortal blessedness and
glory. Although the death of DR.. Sewall oc-
Cured before the first number of our paper
was issued, we could not deny ourselves the
melancholy pleasure, Of presenting to our read
ers, the just tribute which follows. They will
more than justify us, in the record which we
now make Of departed worth.-ED.
DOCTOR THOMAS SEWALL.
The friends Of Temperance and humanity,
throughout the country, have, before this, re-
intelligence that this long-tried, steadfast, and
ardent friend Of the cause is no more. He
breathed his last in Washington, on the 10th
ult., having sunk from violent attack of
pneumonia, into rapid consumption, at the
age of SO. At how carly period he took an
interest in the temperance reformation, we
know not, but he delivered and published
his very able address before the Washington
city Temperance Society, Nov. Is, 1880. This
has ever been one of the standard works on
1emperance-most ably discussing the effects
of ardent spirits, then the supposed cause Of
most of the prevalent intemperance, on the
moral, and intellectual, and physical constitu-
ton of man. No one can read it without a
deep impression, not merely of the learning,
sagacity, and penetration Of the writer, but Of
his deep concern that the scourge of humanity
shnnld speedily he ramnved from. annnng men
As medical adviser to many members OF Con-
gress, not few of whom were brought to most
melancholy deaths by intempetance, DR.. Sew
all was much impressed with the vast impor-
tance of the temperance enterprise TO the
higher classes He was very bold and fear
less in telling many Of his patients that intem-
perance was their bane, and that nothing but
total abstinence from all that intoxicates would
prevent their speedy and total ruin; and it is
known that his influence as physician has
been, in many cases, very happy among the
men of influence and power congregated at
Washington. In his post-mortem examlna-
TONS DR.. Sewall searched closely for the in
fuence of ardent spirits upon the vital powers.
In the address above referred to, he describes
the appearance Of several stomachs which had
been the long continued receptacles OF alcohol.
And he SAYS, ]" have never dissected the sto-
mach of drunkard, in which the organ did
not manifest some remarkable deviation from
its healthy condition" To satisfy himself and
others of the poisonous and ruinous nature of
alcohol, he accustomed himself to take draw
ings of the stomachs Of men who had been
habituated to different degrees of its use
from moderate drinking to the vilest debauch.
And when Mr.. Delavan (led to it by remark
of physician of New York, that if he could
show to the world the stomach Of a drunkard,
it would be the best temperance lecture ever
given) thought of getting a series Of such
drawings, he found that Dr. Sewall actually
had them. BY happy cooperation, they
were soon presented to the world, with the
doctors admirable lecture. He himself pub
licly exhibited his plates, and lectured from
them in the halls Of Congress, and in several
of our cities; and they have spoken TO thou
sands on thousands through this, and other
lands, convincing all who have heart to yield
to evidence, that it is folly and madness for
men to triie with so deadly foe, for all drum
kenness commences with moderate drinking !;
and moderate, as well as immoderate drink
ing, discrepancies and prepares the way for re-
NEEDLESS ruin. We had the pleasure Of seeing
him but few weeks since, at temperance
party at his own house. He took deep IN
terest in the Temperance meetings then held in
Washington, and, though pressed with busi-
ness, was present at nearly all. His mind and
heart were then burdened with the care of
Mr.. Bates. He wanted to save him, but feared
he could not. Alas how soon was he called
to follow.
DR.. Sewall was man of deep and humble
piety, Of the Methodist persuasion. For years
he has had in his house the Congressional
Saturday evening prayer meeting. When such
man dies it is national calamity. For the
cause of temperance, a strong rod is broken at
the seat of political power But though dead,
he speaks to us. He warns US not to be idle,
but go on conquering to conquer. We quote
passage from his writings, and would trea-
sure il up in our hearts, and let it follow us to
our grave. Said he
"Intemperance has swept over our land,
with the rapidity and power Of tempest, tear.
ing down every thing in its course. Not con-
tent with riotiDg in the haunts of ignorance
and vice, it has passed through our consecrated
groves-has entered our most sacred enclosures.
And oh how many men of genius, and Of let
tiers, have fallen before it! How many lofty
jntellects have been shattered and laid in ruins