Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-06-15
For the Timas.
TUT UIU I IIHJs'
The Missouri State Agricultural Society

Ma. EDIToR:-I am in receipt Of pam
ph'et exhibiting the premiums to be award
ed by this Society, at their second Fair, TO
be held near the City Of Boonville, on the
second day of October next. This is no.
bic enterprise, and well calculated to devel-
ope the resources and enterprise Of our
great State. The developed energy of a
community is the wealth Of that community.
1t is, therefore, Of the utmost consequence
that every department Of enterprise, and
especially those which are legdliSed, should
be represented in the exhibitions of this
society. And yet it must be known 10 you,
Mr.. Editor, and to your readers, that there
is large class of our citizens, enaged in a
ldrfM business, for whom these societies
have prepared no silver cups. The class 10
which l refer, are the agents of the State in
the liquor traffic. They are very numerous.
This class properly belongs to the n,anutdc-
turing department, and if any one supposes
that they are idle, or that they have no "spe-
ClihehS vi llelI WoIh W W eAIllult, He Is
vastly mistaken. Only give them chance
let them have fair competition with other
departments, and they will be able 10 pro-
duce specimens "done up according TO the
statute book of Missouri, that will strike
every beh,l lder with surprise, and fill every
soul with astonishment.
Are any incredulous? Come go with
me into their cabinet, and we will examine
some of their specimens.
Here is young man whose countenance
is the picture of despair; whose whole ap-
pearance is that Of wretchedness. He is
an outcast from society-a vagabond upon
the face Of the EARTH Ouce he had home
his childhood's home "a home where he
breathed the atmosphere of love. In that
home he was caressed by kind parents, who
regarded him with honest pride, and fondly
hoped that he would be crown Of glory TO
their declining years. In that home gentle
sisters oft twined their white arms about
his neck, and with their liquid eyes looking
deeply into his, called him brother. He
grew up to manhood. The spirit of genius
sparkled in his eye, and his bosom warmed
with the love of country. His soul painted
for enduring fame. Bright visions rose in
the future. He saw his name inscribed
with those who had lived to bless their
country and their kind. But what has
transformed him into this specimen? These
agents Of the law. In one of their fashion
able saloons he 'looked upon the wine when
it was red, when it gave its color in the
cup" He drank, and drank again, and
drank deeply. In vain did his friends in
terpose. He would suffer no restraint. In
vain did they plead with the agents OF the
law. They coolly replied that they were
attending TO their own business, and attend
ing 10 it according to law. The young
man, at length alarmed, attempted TO extri-
cate himself, but was held as with the chain
OF serpent and his efforts but brought
him more completely within the power OF
his destroyer. Coniounded lowered with
shame, and despairing--he went forth that
he might no more witness the tears Of an
guish-riven hearts, that he might no more
hear their earnest pleadings.
The next specimen that we will examine,
is this family group. That Husband and
Father was once a man-physicaly, men
tally and morally. Now, he is physically a
bloat, putrid mass OF disease. His men-
tai and moral energies have been consumed
by what the Indian very properly calls fire.
water. His property gone, his reputation
gone, and every star of hope botted out
from the future. Dispair, like Egyptian
darkness" gathers about his spirit, and
every fibre OF his soul that can feel, is
wrung with thrilling anguish. How oft
does he promise his sorrow-stricken wife
that he will drink no more? But alas he
is the slave Of legaliscd traffic, and his
promises are as evanescent as the morning
dew.
Behold the wife the mother! How
sad the expression of her countenance =
How deep the griet-worn furrows upon her
cheek! What burning tears gush from her
eyes! What sighs are heaved by her ach,
ing bosom! Her sad countenance is more
sad as she looks upon her husband, and sad,
der still as she gazes upon her little ones
Once she was happy, and lived in happy
home. Once that countenance was bright
those tears were smiles, and those sigh.
were songs of joy! Once she gazed upor
her husband with joyous pride, and pressed
her first born to her bosom, happy mother
But since then, that happy family has beer
manufactured, according to law, into thi'
specimen. Look at those children. Their
tattered garments and haggard features be
speak their poverty and their shame.