Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-18
BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE,

BALTIMORE, Feb. ITO NJ
The opponents of the Maine or Prohibitory
liquor law were taken aback to-day by the
House of Delegates. Mr.. Sappington's sub
stitute to the bill, adopted yesterday, was with
drawn, subsequently offered again and rejected
when the original bill was ordered to be en-
crossed with the amendment to take the sense
of the people upon it on the first Wednesday in
November next. The engrossing of bill by
our Legislature now is not as it was prior to
the new constitution, which requires majority
of the whole number Of delegates to carry a
bill upon its final passage. tits possible, how
ever. that the House may pass this law as
amended, and thus shuttle the responsibilitv
from themselves toSthe sovereign. people Nov
elites, good or evil, are generally popular, and
there is possibility if the bill should pass, it
will be ratified.
am opposed to all species of intemperance
and do not wonder at the anxiety of mapy to
have some means adopted which may serve as
check upon this monstrous evil 1 once
knew beautiful bright eyed boy, and when
In the sylvan bloom ofyouth, his young cheeks
wore the crimson blush of innocence intelli.
gence beamed from his modest countenance.
and he star of hope fondly hung out to llumine
the golden pathway of hapI mess. There were
aged parents, young sisters and brothers,
whose hearts beat with delight in anticipation
OF his future promise. l never saw a boy in
whom there seemed to be more perfectly con-
centrated all the elements requisite to consti-
tute distinguished man. He possessed both
physical beauty and mental grandeur. There
was not blemi5h in his entire person or boy
ish character. Mildness, modesty, virtue.
innocence, and transformations simplicity,
crowned with noble manlinesS were his pecu
liar characteristics, though he seemed un-
conscious Of possessing them.
1t had been predicted that his future vould
be bright career, affording joy to parental
hearts, source of pride to affectionate kim
dred, and honor to his fellow-men. Years
passed on, and lost sight of this! youth. He
went forth to mingle and buffet with the rude
world. Its chafngs and its temptations we're
more than he could withstand. len long years
were numbered upon his orow-he had gro wn
to be man and again met him. Alas. what
change. 1 could not but exclaim-
you've tried the world full soon my lad,
And Willie dear believe me,
You've fOun1 mankind an unka SQUAD
And muckle ere the've grieved ye.''
Yes. the bloom Of youth, of beauty, and of
Innocence had departed from his bright eyes
and roseate cheeks. The sweet expression of
modest intelligent boyhood was no longer WIS.,
ioiC. ho udu Deeu overcome ana caught IN
the tempter's snare A wild delirium of in
toxication 81 canned from his sullen fiery eve.
His cheeks, where once sat the fresh Grim
son tint Of perennial life, were palIid, bloated
and repulsive- The neat, clearly costume was
superseded with rags, tatters and filth He
had passed through grades of crime and de-
bauchery, verging almost upon the States
prison. Drunkenness begat idleness; idleness
want; and want, beggary Thus you have the
victim IN my minds eye-a reality which I
have failed to paint. even in its true colors.-
The last saw of him was begging for six
pense to buy rum. Only few years have been
required TO produce this lamentable tra1sfor.
nation He has brought aged, whitened locks
10 the grave in sorrow and himself into the IL
retrievable vortex OF ruin. o that he may yet
be enabled, like him of the Perie's fable, to sec
the penitential. tear and repent When intem-
perance comes home with its train of sorrows,
as in this case, can scarcely wonder that its
opponents favor almost any scheme to stay the
evils thereof.
There is some talk of purchasing the lot of
ground on the northwest corner of Holiday
street, opposite the theatre, for the purpose Of
erecting thereon a superb City Hall Balti-
more unquestioni ably wants such an improve
ment A stranger coming amongst us and
shown the present old dilapidated, miserable.
filthy concern use1 for that pur pose must form
a very unfavorable impression. | have seen
barns, l might almost say pigpens, infinitely
more commanding in appearance. 1t is
hoped the contemplated improvement may
speedily be made. RODERICK.