The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-10-28
The Unappreciated Danger.

The following II taken IfOn speeCh vi bA
Governor Briggs, of Massachuse tts--wlen and
where delivered we know not. We copy ii as
furnishing striking illustrations of truth that
cannot be too often impressed upon those who
fancy they ..can drink or let it alone = that
the growth of the drunkard's appetite is I'M
pcrccp,iblc to himself though painfully evil
dent to his friends aud associates We're this
truth more generally appreciated. fewer Eases
of hopeless intemperance would occur to chai-
lcngc public sympathy, or pity. or scorn. The
path of safety is found in entire abstinence
alonc--and multidudcs who have fancied they
could walk securely in the way inlatory to
drunkenness. have found. too late, that wine
is mockcr," which, "at the last. bitcth like
a serpent, and stiugeth like an adder"
Says Gov. Briggs:
Il recollcct one member Of Congress who
was always rallyinS me about our Congress
sional Temperance Society.
''BrlggS, he used to say, Il am going to
join your Temperance Society as soon as my
dcmijohn is empty" But just before it became
empty. he always filled it. AT one time, to-
ward the close of. the session. he said to me:
Il am going to sign the pledge when | get
home. am in earnest continued he, my
dcmijohn is nearly empty, and am not going
to fill it again. lie spoke with such an air
of seriousness las | had not before observed.
and it impressed me and asked him what it
lnrant-what had changed his feelings.
IVY ny, ne SAID. II Hau Il SNORT liulc slnCc u
visit from my brother who stated to me a Fact
that more deeply impressed and affected mo
than anything rccVllcct to have heard or
read
in my nc.hl,orhooI is "A gentleman of my
acquaintance. well educated who once had some
property. but is now reduccd-poOr! He has
II beautiful and lovely wif:-a lady Of Guilt
walton and refinement - most charming
daughter.
This gentleman had become decidedly in
temperate in his habits, and had fully alarmed
his friends in regard to him At one time
when Il number OF his former associates were
together. thcy counscllcd Us to what could he
done for him.
"Why don't you send your daughter to
Il certain disling lislcd scIiuol? ~ which he nam
/ ed
10, cannot said he. Iii is ont of the Iues-
ton. | am not able to bear the cXpcnsc.-
Poor girl wish could
Well said his friend .'if you will sign th.
| temperance pledge. will he all the expense of
her Attending school lot one year.
What does th, mean? - said he +; "Do you
think me in danger of becoming drunk
ard :.
NO matter" s.d his friend, about that
nov: hut will do rs | said
And H. said another. will pay the rent VI
your farm for one year, il y"u will sign the
pledge.
but what do they mean? DO you think me in
danger of becoming druuk.rei: What can it
mean. But gentlemen in view of your liber-
alliy, will make an otrr-l will sign if you
will
This was IA proposition they had not consid
red. and We're not very well prepared to meet;
but for his SAX" they would and did sign, and
he Will, them.
And now Tor the first time. the truth poured
INFO his mind. and lc saw his condition, and
sat down l,,,tItd in tears.
Nov, said he. :. gentlemen. yOu must &"
and communicate, these facts to my wfc-poor
m"nlan. know she VIII be glad 10 hear it,
but | cannot tell her
TN" al them siartc,i for that purpose. The
lady nat them at the door, pale and trembling
with tn,"tjon.
"What." she exclaimed. {" is tn. matter:
What has happened to my husband ~
They bid hcr dismiss her fears. assuring her
that they rad come t" bring her tilings--hut
-,Uui tiIiu.a such st, would he glad to
hear.
" Your husband .s i lnI'l the temperance
Piled .,.-yes. signed ii in good latin
the joyous u,'W7 nearly "ycrcamc hcr--sh
irrhihl'rl with cNriirmcnt--"cpt freely, and
ch..p'd her hands drvutinn,ly. She looked ny
t" heaven. and thanked God for the happy
chang.
NoA. laid sha. Il haze a husband lis he
"5icc was, Ia Ihc days "i early love
Bat Hi, i not Mat m"vrd me, said the
gentleman, . There in The same vicinity
another gentleman generous noble soul
niglric'! young married well. into a good lam
lily a'l the flower off His wine drinking ha-
bits had aroused the fears Of his friends, and
"n" day, when ."vcral Of them were together,
one sad /" another:
Let Us ign The pledge
~ VIII Hyo" viii. sad OH" T." another till
all bad a@r"r,! 10 il, and the thing WAS DONE