The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-16
For the National Era
Dv,IsrUM TREMENs; OR, THE DRuNKARD's
VISION.
BY W. d. WADE.

&C the hOrrId Visions OF u ulborueieu pi"'", oui-
t,ring from that attendant on intemperance,
d,lirlum tremenS: :.
TIC Wild fantasy is of a nature to be highly
interesting and whilst the startling picture
n,tnr,uv suggests wide range of contempla-
ron It's tendency is to warn the unwary, and
Nod ont hope to them who have gone astray
pocolleetions of the narrowing scenes present
81 to n disordered mind can be but feebly de-
n;cted in language; but sufficiently vivid, to
answer good purpose, may be the attempt at
their description.
Il matters not to tell who (among the tens
oftbousands who have joined the ranks of the
Sons of Temperance and taken the pledge) has
furnished material for the subjoined vision,
which appearing here in one connected form OF
narration, was, of necessity, told only in sub
sance-brOken, uncOnnectcd, and pecemeal,
as memory supplied the strange fragments.
Hoping that this short introduction may suf-
fee, and that the reader will supply the east
ly.imagined tale of course of life which en-
tails 50 deplorable condition, pass over that
part of the drunkard's confession which re-
istes To his hair. breadth escapes from death,
bis reformation and final prosperity and pro-
ceed at once with the drunkard's dream or
vision, as though using his own language in
tho recital.
Myself unseen, methought | safe in full
view of carouse IN the regions of the damned
beyond the fearful waters of the dreaded Styx
An overwhelming sense of horror seemed to
pervade my frame, and chill the very marrow
of my bones, whilst, powerless to move, my
pulse suspended with alright, the blood coursed
through my veins with lightning speed, like
molten lead. A feeling of sufocation, as from
pestlerous vapor, stified my respiration, stupe-
flying me, and rendering me, as it were, sense
less, although | retained consciousness.
My vision was obscured, as by a mist
still, paradoxlcal as it may seem, | could dis
tncty discern the forms and objects before
me-dlm, spectral, transparent, and immaterial
ashley were. My throat was like living fiery
furnace, in agony. My tongue Glove to the red
hot roof of my mouth, whilst excruciating
thirst vsinly strove to force out the words
Water! oh! a single drop of rater!
"Fearfully vivid is the impression of the
dreadful pangs OF my bodily torment which,
however, did not in the least prevent my clear
perception of the scene at which was men,
tally present. The racking pain | endured did
not interfere with my visual powers, which, on
the contrary, were preternaturally magnifed
and modified, to suit the CHASTITY sight which
intense curiosity prompted me to gaze on with
the riveted look Of spell bound fascination
"HideOus and discordant sounds-sighs,
shfieks and groans, fendish laughter, demo-
MAC yells and maniac mirth, resouhded from
all quarters and the language used met the
ear as in an unknown tongue, which, by mi
raculous fundamentally, was instantaneOusly
interpreted to the understanding, remaining
On.the narrowed recollection ~ though it had
originally been uttered 10 our own good, plain
yernacuar
Around the ample board were ranged the
festive, demons, who, if not feasting, were, at
all events, drinking furiously, as one might
say, most helhShIy though in good truth, it
was but carrying to perfection earthly mid
night orgies
In person, 80 10 speak, these spectres
seemed like skeletons of steel, glowing with a
white heat which threw halo forth, from
each and all which formed the only light in
that abyss of utter night Clouds of impene-
trable darkness sbrouded all above beneath,
and around these luminous objects as they
tied about The dreary abode, and encompass
Cd everything with shroud of horror.
luman as to have the semblance of body and
LIMBS like unto ours, with head, face, and coun-
ienance resembling those of mOrtals) clothed
even with something to correspond with flesh
Dat flesh, bones, muscles, the whole structure,
was transparent as glass impalpable, livid,
glowing unreal, and dissolvable.
tIOrrd, inexpressibly so, indeed were the
countenances of the doomed ones! Every vile
passion Of which we have any experience or
conception, was here displayed, magnifed a
thousand fold, and all wore an impious ex-
preston Of hopeless hate and unutterable
woe-wailing and gnashing of teeth, the lam.
en'aNon Of undying anguish, the blasphemous
eAeCra'ions OF despair were mingled discord-
A"'iy IN h'deous unison, fiji music for the feast i!
inc vocal powers remained to all, but fear
lul and revolving sounded the universal Ian
Suage OF the tortured dwellers in Gehenna.
strangely unintelligible M the accents grated
VI my ear, the meaning was not hidden from
me and thus they spake.
he whose majestic and elevated throne
Proclaimed the fend incarnate, the archde-
mon, fallen from loftier stste-he it was,
whose hooking tones of bitter hate and scorn,
relentless ire, lndomitable blasphemy, and re-
Oelllous zeal, addressed his fellows, whilst ],
almost Consumed with agony intense, was i'm.
PEELED to listen, needless of torture:
=" Hail princes of darkness, brother spirits
Oh Oscillation, misery, and woe faithful ennis
@rles Of my wrath and hate devoted and pow
efiul antagonists Of our common enemy, our
victorious Master-hail! Pour forth the well
come tdngs Of your success in the recruiting
al th
now fares the good causea Ha ha! Let us
ur'nk to the good cause, as they do there, eh !!
ana Then to your reports
Az tins, each member stirring his bowl
IF ''ga "gy Of kissing punch with large roll
viii "d ANNA birthstone, the toast was drank
"' I'm hldeous applause
s,i1 'a Ia, again silenced the horrid din. and
10 IN, hammon choice agent, what have you
WI, mat thing OF yesterday, yclept I" the
s,J Know is fast progressing in the arts
~" ,i sciences 1t boasts advancement in civili-
a'u'h ana humanity; looks back with scorn,
a'St and contempt, al the dark ages which
sIe past despises by-gone wisdom. exults in a
a@SSiy'gotten food OF light and liberty. and
VIC mighty spread OF true religion! | hear
."h continual mention Of so many true reli.
gI1aS that, whilst rejoicing in perplexity, am
IIalged to ask more specific dcsig nation, ere
.how to which or what the term refers. But
f ' 'n@' pass, and say how you manage still to
dtI'u'h my dominion with such hosts Of your
Wv oaOled victims, and what the prospect is that
III ana your ten thousand agents can oppose
nus "o% Lostle influences ON which mankind 30
much do calculate -
r., 10 this address Mammon with prompt.
'Oie replied.
from ia, my soul-destroying influence is far
mS % un The wane is well attested, as you best
Nan, 'n9w, by running over the lit here pre-
ns,a. briefly ! answer TO your queries, that
uae nave ! had promise Of richer harvest
Wor', Tue present state and prospects Of the
SSmd hold cut unto my eager, greedy thirst
W human prey-fnr naisar lila nna.tal.fu 10 ha