The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-09
II III E N e. w E II A .
From the Columbian Fountain.
THE SEPARATIoN-THE RE. UNION

| exercised by the use of intoxicating liquors upon
the best interests of man, and of the redeemng
influence of the " PLEDGE" in restoring him TO
himself. his family and to his country, will be
read with interest by all In this instance the
individual stood high in the estimation of his
country-was the popular representative of his
County IN the Assembly Of his native State, aud
| occupied for three years a seat in Congress He
was crowned with honor-in his domestic affairs
he was peculiarly fortunate and happy. But all
these honors and blessings were sacrificed at the
altar of Mouch-his passion for ardent, spirits
reduced him from The pinnacle of prosperity,
and made him an outcast and wanderer-a
thing despised and stunned. But We will not
anticipate.
- 1t was about the time when the Washingro-
Man excitement was at lis height. Every vii
lage, town and city gave forth its crowded audi
ence to listen with intense interest 10 the thrill
| ling experience of men who had arisen into life
as from the dead. The wonder was in every
thought and upon every lip. People looked al
the new phenomenon with bewildered aston
ishment.
| In the evening of the day on which Alice ar
| rived at $, great experience meeting was
TO be held in one of the churches. Her friend,
who had become enthusiastic in the cause, urged
her to 90 to this meeting which Alice did ALTHOUGH
with feeling of reluctance The house was
crowded above and below. A broad platform had
been laid upon the railing of the altar, upon which
sat the President of the Society, the Secretary.
| Ministers of various denominations and several
reformed men, who were To be the PRINCIPAL
| speakers. The preliminares usually apperiain
ing TO such meetings having been arranged.
brief opening address was made by one of the
ministers. A reformed man then related his ex
perlence with great effect. After he had finished,
| there was pause Of nearly minute At length
man, who had been seated far back, with his
face partly turned from the audience, arose slow
Iy, and moved TO the front of the stage
half expressed exclamation escaped Alice as
her eyes caught the well known features of him
who had been her husband while quick thrill
ran through her. Then her whole frame trem
b!cd in accord with her nnttcfng heart. The
face of Mr.. Delaney was greatly changed since
she had last looked upon it. lis calm identified
elevation had been restored, but will! what differ
ence-what before was cheerful, was now sad
very sad.
| Mr.. President, he began, in a subdued voice,
although had consented, at your urgent solici
iation, to address this large assembly to night
yet have felt so strong reluctance to doing So
that 1t has been with the utmost difficulty, |
could drag myself forward. But had passed nv
word, could not violate it. As to relating nv
| experience-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
affected. He, resumng in irmeI voice, said
But somethlng must be said Of my own case
or shall fail To make that impression on yOur
minds that wish to produce
Pictures of real life touch the heart with pow
er, while abstract presentations of truth glitter
coldly IN the intellectual regions of the mind aud
then fade from the perception like dissovng fS
ures in the dorama.
Your speaker once stood among the first mem
befs OF the bar in neighboring State. Nay,
more than that-he represented his County for
three years in the Assembly oflhe Commonwealth.
And more than that stll-Occupied a seat in Con
gress Tor two Congressional periods
AT this announcement, the stiffness Of death
pervaded the crowded assembly.
And yet more than all that he continued his
voice sinking into low thrilling tone he once
had lendefly loved wife and two sweet children
But all these honors, all these blessings have de
parted from him., he continued, his voice GROW.
ing Ioude! and deeper in his effort to control him
self. He was unworthy to retain theml His
constituents threw him off, because he had de.
based himself and dlsgraced them. And worse
than aIl-she, who had loved him devoedly-shc
who had horne him two dear babes was forced TO
abandon him, and seek an asylum in her fathers
house. And why? Could | become so CHANGED
In Few short years? What power was there
so TO abase me that my fellow beings spurned.
and even the wife Of my bosom turned away.
heaTl-strlcken from met Alas my iriends-it
was mad indulgence in mockery? A very
demon-a Gree, changing the human into the
besIla But for this, and were now an honora-
bic and useful representative in Congress pursu-
ing after my country's good, and blessed in the
home circle with wife and children. But have
not told you all. After my wife separated her
sell 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 bewderiDg effects Of partial
ntOxlcaon. / remained in the same VILLAGE for
some years but never once saw her during that
time, nor glimpse Of my children At last |
became so abandoned in my life, that my wife
urged on by her friends, no doubt, filed an appli
cation for divorce. and as cause could readily
be shown why it should be granted, separation
was legally declared. To complete my disgrace.
at the next Congressional canvass, I was left off
the ticket, as unfit to represent the district.
then left the county and Slate, where had lived
from boybood up.
Three years passed since then Fortwo years
OF that period ] abandoned myself TO the fearful
Impulse of the appetite had acquired Then I
heard OF this new novement-ths great TEMPER
ancc cause AT first | snecred, then wondered.
listened a. last, and finally threw myself upon