The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-29
A True Story.

held IN one OF the churches Her trend,Who
had become enthusiastic in the cause, urged
her to go to this meeting, which Alice ala,
although with a feeling of reluctance. Inc
house was crowded above and below. The
preliminaries usually appertaining to such
meetings having been arranged, brefopen-
ing address was made by one of the ministers
A reformed man then related his experience
with great effect. After he had finished there
was a pause of nearly minute. At length
man, who had been seated far back, with
his face partly turned from the audience,
rose slowly and moved to the front Of the
stage.
A hafsuppressed exclamation escaped Al
ice, as her eyes caught the well-known tea-
lures of him who had been her husband,
while quick thrill ran through her. Then
her frame trembled in accord with her fut-
tering heart The face of Mr.. Delaney was
greatly changed since she had last looked
upon it. It's calm, dignifed elevation had been
restored, but with what difference! What
before was cheerful, was sad, very sad. Mr..
President" he began, in broken voice, " al
though had consented at your urgent solicit
tation, to address this large assembly tonight,
yet have felt so strong a reluctance to doing
so, that it has been with the utmost difficulty
l could drag myselfforward. But had pass
ed my word, l could not violate it. As to
relating my experience, that do not think |
can venture upon. The past l dare not re-
call. Would to Heaven that just ten years of
my life were blotted out"
The speaker paused moment, already
much affected. Then rcsuming in frmer
voice, he said,
But something must be said of my own
case, or | shall fail to make that impress
dc hat 7 wis tO
Pictures of real life touch the heart with
power, while abstract present tons of truth
glitter coldly in the intellectual regions Of the
mind, and then fade from the perception like
figures in diorama.
Your speaker once stood among the first
members Of the bar in a neighboring State
nay, more than that--he represented his
county for three years in the Assembly Of the
Commonwealth. And more than this still
occupied a seat in Congress for two Congress
sional periods.
AT this announcement the stiffness Of death
pervaded the crowded assembly.
Yet more than all that" he continued his !
voice sinking into low, thrilling tone, he
once had u tenderly loved wife and two sweet |
children. But all these honors-all these
blessings have departed from me-" he contin- |
ued, his voice growing louder and deeper in |
his efforts to control himself. He was I'M
worthy to retain them His constituents |
threw him off because he had debased HIM
self and disgraced them. And worse than
all-she who had loved him-she who had !
borne him two babes, was forced to abandon
him and seek an asylum in her fathers house.
And why? Could | have become so chang
ed in few short years? What power was
there to abuse me that my fellow beings spurn-
nCl oD1 tna NJ NV |
way heart stricken from me ? Alas my
friends, it was mad indulgence in mockery !!
A very demon-a Gree, changing the human
into bestial. But for this, l were now an
honorable and useful representative to Con-
gress, pursuing after my country's good, and
blest in the home circle with wife and chill
dren. But I have not told you all. After my
wife separated from me, sank rapidly.
&" A state of perfect sobriety brought too
many terrible thoughts l therefore drank
more freely, and was rarely, if ever, from I'M
der the bewildering effects of partial intoXica-
ton. remained in the same village for some
years, but never once saw her during that
time--nor a glimpse of my children. AT last
became so abandoned in my life, that my
wife, urged on by her friends, no doubt, filed
an application for divorce, and as cause
could easily be shown why it should be grant
ed, separation was legally declared. To
complete my disgrace, at the next Congress
sional canvass, was left off the ticket as I'M
fit to represent the district. left the county
and State where l had lived from my boy
hood up.
For two years of the period abandoned my {
self to the fearful impulse of the habit l had
acquired. Then heard of this new move
ment-the 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 be-
ing carried by it far out Of the reach of dam
ger, and / did not hope in vain. 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, car
nest devotion to my profession, and fervent
prayer to Him who alone gives strength in
every good resolution, has restored to me
much that had lost-but not all-not the
richest treasure that proved myself unwor
thy to retain not my wife and children
All between myself and these the law has
laid its stern impossible interdiction have
no longer wife-no longer children, though
my heart goes out towards these dearly
beloved ones with the tcnderest yCarnings.-
Pictures of our earliest days of welded love
are ever lingering in my imagination |
dream Of the sweet freside circle see ever
before me the once placid face of my Alice,
as her eyes looked into my own with intelli-
gent confidence. feel her arms Irvine about
nay neck; the music Of her voice is ever sound
ing in my ear"
Here the speakers emotions overcame him.
His utterance became cboked, he stood silent,
with bowed head and trembling limbs. The
dense mass of people were hushed into an OPP
pressive stiffness, that was broken here and
there by half stiAed sobs. At this moment
there was a a movement in the crowd. A
single female figure, before whom every one
appeared instinctively to give way, was seen
passing up the aisle. This was not observed