Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-03
Gblitt Tittratara.
From.the American Messenger.
AN EXCITING SCENE.


AN EXCITING SCENE.
give the following facts as related to
me by creditable witness. A great
experience meeting was to be held one
evening ln-church, where the spea-
kers were, as usual to be reformed drunk
ards. An estimable woman whom | shall
call Alice, was induced to attend. When
the meeting was somewhat advanced, a
late member of Congress arose with ap,
parent sadness and hesitation
Though had consented, at your ur-
gent solicitation, to address this assem-
bly, to night, he said, yet, have felt 50
great a reluctance to doing so, that it has
been with the utmost difficulty | could
drag myself forward. AS TO relating nv
experience, that do not think can ven
ture upon. The past dare not recall
/ could wish that the memory of ten wears
OF my LIE were blotted out He paused
moment much affected, and then ad-
ded in firmer voice. Something must
be said Of my own case, or shall fail to
make the impression on your minds that
wish to produce.
Your speaker once stood among the
respectable members Of the bar. Nav.
more than that, he occupied a seat in
Congress for two congressional periods.
And more than that, he continued, his
voice stacking into tone expressive oc
deep emotion, he once had a tenterly-
loved wife and two sweet children. But
all these honors, all these blessings, have
departed from him. He was unworthy
to retain them; his constituents threw
him off because he had debased himself,
and disgraced them. And morasthan all
she who loved him devotedly, the moth
serof his two. babes, was forced to aban-l
don him and seek an asylum in her faith
er's house. And whvS Could become
so changed in reWs>hort years! What
power was there to So debase me that
my fellow beings spurned and even the
wife OF my bosom turned away, heart
stricken from me? Alas? my friends,
it was a mad indulgence Of Intoxicating
drinks. But for tbs, were an honor
able and elul representative in the halls
Of legislation, and blessed with a home,
and with wife and children.
But have not told you all. After my
iwife separated from me, | sank rapidly.
"A state of sobriety brought too many ter
frible thoughts; l drank more deeply,
and was rarely, if ever, free from the
bewidering effects of partial intoxication
ehi last, became so abandoned that
my wife, urged by her friends, no doubt
filed an application for divorce, and as
cause could bereadily shown why it shoulc
be granted, separation was legally de,
clared and to complete my disgrace, a
the congressional canvass was left OF
the ticket, as unfit to represent the dis
trict.
When / heard of this new movement
the great temperance cause, | at frs
sneered, then wondered, listened at last
and finally threw myself upon the grea
wave that was rolling onward, in hop,
of being carried by it far out of the reacI
of danger. l did not hope with a vair
hope. 1t did for me all and more than
could have desired. 1t set me once mort
upon my feet, once more made a man o
me. A year Of sobrety, earnest devo
tion TO my profession and fervent praye
TO Him who alone gives strength in eve
&OSN ANobAhNAOAAs hao lCoAOlNh w III
much that have lost but not all, no
. the richest treasure that | have provet
myself unworthy TO retain; not my wifi
and children. Between myself and thes
the law has laid its stern, impossible in
terdictions. l have no longer wife, n
children, though my he art goes toward
these dearly beloved ones with the ten
derest yearnings. Pictures OF our early
of welded love, are ever lingering in m
Imagination. l dream of the sweet fire
side circle see ever before me tn
placid face OF my Alice, as her eyes lool
ed into my own with intelligent conf
dence the music Of her voice is eve
sounding in my ears.
Here the speakers emotion overcom
him: his utterance became choked, an
he stood silent with bowed head an
trembling limbs. The dense mass
people were hushed into an oppressiv
stiffness that was broken here and ther
by half stihed sobs.
AT this moment there was a mov'
ment in the crowd. A single female 6s
ure, before whom every one appeare
instincively to give way, was seen pas
ing up the aisle This was not observe
by the speaker until she had come nea
~ in front Of the platform on which