Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-11-24
Gbc Carroll frtr Dress,
CarrOlliOn, ,:::::;;; ;..:Friday, NOT' 2I' ISiS'
A DrunkarG's SOlilOguy.

thing as cross street at all. ne moon CIosS-
eyed. and keeps winkin' and blinkin as Il she
had her eyes full Of Macaboy. Now, what am
10 dol If stand still there's very p'eaSanl
chance of going TO sleep standing. II goes TO
stir, hung nc if know whichway lam iraVelIn'
And sometimes he has other thoughts. In
sober moment he reflects upon his career and
secs wheve il must end. He thinks Of the tai
ents which have been prostilutcd-of the fortune
which has been squundered-of time that has
been lost--of hopes that have been blIghied.--
In the bitterness Of hissoul he remembers when
the world was all bright, when fond parents,
devoted wife aud affecuonats children was rea-
dy TO greet aud TO bless him. But these pre-.
cious obircts are all scattered. Broken hearted
with grief, they have gone to an early grave, or
driven by want they have become wanderers IN
the world. He himself is without a home and
without a friend. Wrelched and undone he
Swishss he had never been born! The past can
never be recailed--ths psesenlisfull Of remorse,
and the future is all dark with the storms OGcom-
ing wrath. Worlds would he give if he could
buI become what he once was--but it is TOO late!
A drunkard he is. and a drunkards doom must
be hisl--PHsLurgh Ga=ette.
6Trhe above article contains mrch truth
and some error;-many facts that it would be
vain to deny,a some propositions that it would
be lnle short of sacrilege TO admit. We fiat
tered ourselves that the day had passed when the
poor, weak and erriug inobrae was regarded as
beyond the pale Of hOpo;-that VIC should no
longer hear the sentence pronounced, "a drum
kard he is, and drunkard's doom must be hs;'
that he must hence(orh be cutoff from home,
wife, children and friends;-that he must remain
an oulcasl in the world, a stranger amid kin
dred, pilgrim among the hauns of his youth
and the companions of his childhood;-thOt,
like the IshmaeInes Of old, his hand should be
raised against every body, and every bSdy's
hand against him.
Not thus does the Supreme arbilcr Of mans
destiny reason;-not thus does the lessons Of
wisdom teuch;-not thus does every days expe'
rience demonstrate. The numerous instances
Of reformed inebriates, met with in every com
muniy, clearly shows that there is hope Tor the
drunkard;-,hat, though his youth may have
been beren of pleasure, his manhood weakened
by potatious, his old age may still be blessed by
comfort, home and friends.
We dsssire not to be misunderstood. Our OBJ
iect is not to holdou the cupof temptation to the
temperate, but that Of hope to the inlemperale
not TO leadlhe unwory TO theshrineof BacchuS
but TO induce those already on the brink of ruin
10 fec the ''%Jtship of strange gods not tc
deude youth into lanciad security, buttorem
age that il is not roo late to retrace the fatal step
The miscres Of The iuebrG,c! Whocan com
rrehend them! Who can tell the conActin!
em,lions that are struggling Ailhjn him! Th'
rem mbranca Of the happy days Of youlh-th,
gay companions than were wont to greet him
the lovely wife that rorsook all for bis saka-th
children that clustered joyousIy atdund heart
now desoatc;-these, and many similar rem
nisccnces, light up his path, like an uosis in 'h
desert, and the resolution TO rrtrace his steps
10 east off the gnoblo chain-to be aman egail
j. half.(urmod; when an erring mortal like hin
self pronounces those ominous words, "A druI
kard thou art, and drundard's doom must
,hine!" The noble resolution is smolhered-
the bud that promised much fruit is blssted, an
with heavy heart he returns to his polations
How different might it have been had his bro
ther greeted him with words Of cheer! of con
fort! of hope!-had he stretched forth the han
of sympathyl Of encouragement! Of persev
rance in well.doingl Words Of cheer slreng,I
en- the irresolute, and confirm the waverin
while harsh invectives destroy the remnants
struggling virtue. How important is it, the
tha, we weigh well every sentiment we utter
that we greet the fallen with kndness-that v
recognise them as brethren, ,-strayed from Il
path of rectitude-deuded, but not lost.
The idea that the drunkard is without hope
now obsolete. Facts, 100 numerousto menuo
demonstrate Its absurdity. Instances Of reforr
ed drunkards-individual who have pass
through the various stages Of inebriation-a
known TO every one. Men who were regard
as lost, have been restored TO their home, famil
friends and society. There is none so low as
be without hope-none SO far gone as 10 be |
yond resurrection.
Courage, friends, courage! Thousands ha
safely passed through the ordeal, and q
now useful members of society. The road
equally open TO you. Turn neither to the rig
nor TO ,helolt, but persevere, and all will be we
With you there should be no such word as ia
Faith, hope aud perseverance work miracles.