The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-20
THE REPUBLIC.
Father Matthew at the Tombs PRISON.


The New York Tribune states that this benevo-
lent and indefatigable advocate of temperance on
Thursday visited the Tombs prison in New York,
by invitation Of MIR. Edmonds, the worthy keeper.
The reverend gentleman arrived at about one
O'Clock, accompanied by his secretary, and, having
been heartily welcomed by MIR. Edmonds, was con-
Quoted by that gentleman TO n place whence he ad-
dressed the prisoners, in substance, follows:
"MY DEAR FRIENDs: ! cannot say that am glad
TO see you. My heart sinks within me-Iny spirits
fail and die away at the sad spectacle which is now
presented to my eyes see before me many of
my own countrymen who left home with bright
hopes and prospects, which have been blasted by
an insane passion for strong drink the root Of all
evil. No man can prosper who drinks-no man
was ever born drunkard. No woman
ever deliberately designed to be a drunkard.
Whence, then, do they come? The first glass,
taken at the social party, is what finally produces
the sot. Men fall 10y degrees, 80 slight as TO be
almost lmpcrceptible 10 themselves. Total absti-
nence from all that can ntoxicateis the only refuge
oi safety. Temperance and virtue are the only
sure foundations OF success, while indulgence
In Intoxicating drinks brings in its train pow
erty, degradation and crime i know not whe-
ther lntemperance brought you here, but throw
out these remarks general. Alcohol is an
unnatural beverage. When God placed our
great ancestors, Adam and Eve, in the garden
OF Paradise, alcohol was not provided for
them. Their happiness was complete without
strong drink. Their beverage was pure cold wa
ter. trust, my friends, that you will seek hap
plness IN sobriety and virtue. While many whom
see before me are in the spring of life, none are
too old TO reform-while there Ia life there is hope
In this great and free Republic the door to pros
perlty and happiness is thrown wide open TO you.
Fortune, place, fame, all within your grasp.
You have but TO reach forth to them and they are
yours. The genius of American Institutions says
10 all citizens, whether native adopted Go,
run your race for the prize; the reward shall en-
rich the brow of the most worthy Since nv ar
ted | hava seer n
countrymen who left home pennies, who by in
dusry, sobriety and virtue have amassed immense
fortunes and obtained high honors in their adopted
country. | see before me many in the bloom Of
youth. Now 10 the time to begin life anew. For
merry the opinion prevailed that once a
drunkard must remain 80 forever; but fortunately
the temperance reform has completely exploded
that doctrine. Ii ia now an obsolete idea Thank
God, there is a balm in Gead-there is q physi-
clan there 1t is only necessary to take the
pledge, and keep it. The return TO the paths of
soorlety and virtue is not half difficult as the
devil would have you believe. You have only to
form the resolution and the work is half accom-
plished Every good man seeing you sincerely
attempting to throw off the terrible bondage OF
lntoxicaton will extend to you the right hand Of
fellowship, and God has promised that no tempta-
ton shall be equal to your strength of resistance.
During the delivery of the Rev. Fathers brief
and pertinent address, of which the above is but
outline, (says the 1ibune) the prisoners gave close
attention, and many of them sensibly affected
Having concluded his remarks, he affectionatey
invited such as were disposed to take tho pledge
of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks
Between two and three hundred, including men,
women, and children, availed themselves of this
offer. They took the pledge in kneeng posture,
repeating after Father Mathew the following
pledge, which he pronounced in a very impressive
manner
81 promise, with the Divine assistance, to abstain
from all intoxicating liquors, including cordials,
cider, malt and fruit liquors, and to prevent as
much as possible, by advice and example, drunk
enness in others"
And then the Father added:
''May God bless you, and grant you grace and
strength to keep the pledge"
A medal and card containing the pledge were
presented to each prisoner.