New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-13
AN HOUR IN THE TOMBS.

An hour in the Tombs Not "a a prisoner like
glorious John Runynn in Bedford Jail-not Ike our
laree-tearted friend CT for writing a % Deacon
"Giles Distlls ny not a clutched vagrant like
some OF The heareyed sots around US fresh from the
havoc Of tie grog-shop-but only subpenaed to the
Tonbs as q witness in "hquor-trial." Though
probably intended es annoyance to US for our
Maine Law predictions, we accepted the SUNNI ons.
Punctua TO tie moment we arrived and learned that
certain knights Of the toddy.stck had been COM
paned of for selling grog the Sabbath; the trial
was set down for o'clock When we reached the
gloomy Egyptian Hall we found ourselves in excellent
COMPANY: DIR. T rhe noble champion of free
sreecb) Judge H and several other steadfast
lends OF Prohibition being present similar errani
For good hour they kept us in the foul tobacco
fumigated atmosphere of an unceunsed, Hnlghted and
unventiated court room, which demands another
Howard 10 purify il and who.e walls might preach
Maine Law sermons that would make the blood to
curde. Tie gradually filed up with the latter
donation throng who swarm about the Police Courts;
some from curiosity from interest in relatives
who occupying retired apartments further IN, and
some from morbid hunger for the nauseous revela-
tous of crime. While were waiting for the magis-
rnte to achieve his dinner and assume the vacant bench
several ready -made and completed specimens OF tho
liquor manufacture were brought in by the police for
commitment. One was a raving wretch, around whom
olune the tattered relics Of female dress, the last
senblance of womanhood. She screamed and swore
at the officers with earstunning profanity, and every
new sally of her blackguardism was received with
great eusto by the assembled elite of the Tombs Just
before NE crouched poor remnant of woman; on
ore side of her pair Of children and on the other
scottish husband, whoee rags she was endeayorng TO
hold togeher-he lingering instincts Of decency not
vet crushed out of her. AS | watched her patient
efforts to hide his slilme / bethought me of many
another wife and sister who have lebored long at the
sane melancholy Office and abored in vain.
Over in one corner of the room sat the most fright
full caricature of humanity have ye encountered in
this City full as New-York is Of dismasted and rot
ting wrecks. lie bore such resemblance to Cruick-
shank maniac -drunkard in his celebrated pictures OF
"The Bottle" that | was startled. That red, raw,
Ii, id face, out Of which proruded two bloodshot eyes
vice open but yet hardly seeng-that matted tnngle
Of luir-that sensual mouth through which the tide OF
LIQUID damnation had been poured in-that whole
crouchng, trembling, poisoned, decaying form,
wrapped up in the vestige OF q seedy coat held by
single button never can forget. The idiotic figure
haunis me yet. Hogarth never drew anything more
bdeous in bis last scenes Of the "Rakes Progress;
an certain that the poison-seers of NewYork never
tuned out more finished specimen of their handi-
work or one more worthy h. be sent to Paris to
tie Exposition of In.pstry." As l looked at the
uarss collected nsde OF the bar and at the manufac
turers Of such specimens who were congregated out
side of the railing, thought-if these are the spec
tacles from which the Maine Law is to deliver US then
Heaven be praised for the thrice-bessed enactment
1t is worthy the unfnching support of every pulpit,
every parent, every patriot.
After a weary though not wasted hour, the Judge
arrived and tie Court opened. But 10 there was no
compa rant present and tie complaints were dis
missed The dramselers withdrew to their work Of
DESTROYING men, and TO our work of trying to save
them We retired with rev horror for this mer-
chandse in human gIoans and tears burning In our
soul AT fist we said to ourselves, Wei, Messrs.
Runsel ers. if you wish to sat for your portraits
again or have your rares advertised in the public
journals again, just subpoena Us to come down, and
weui lay aside the study of scriptures aud sermons
TO studyin the Tomhs native depravity. We said
these men not the only transgressors. They sell
loison foi pence but We owe them i'll will; 1t is
their hell-kndling traffic oppose. Others are IN
tie fault as well as they. Those Christian profess
sors who ignore the whole teachings of Bible temper
aroe and who mock at prohibition are abo in the
fault Those who fash the sparkling champagne
bottle before their guests ct mahogany tables ere deep
in the condemnation. Those ministers Of Christ who
seal heir lips in reference to this monster curse are
not guiless either. TIE dramseer has his ten thou
Sand accomplices in Clearinghouse ard political
cuboous behind the press and even in the courts Of
Justice. He grew up himself under evil influences and
with 10 higher rule of Life than put money in thy
"purse' lie found greg drinking fashionable from the
Fh-sv. to tie Fve-Points and grog selling easy and
profitable. So be fell TO coming money out OF life Is
blood, and sat dawn under the protection OF license
sysems TO cary Oh his remoreess traffic. But a
better DAY dnwns for him and for u.s. we are not his
foes but his rues his nds when devoutly wish that
tie sharp thong of prohibition viii drive every one OF
his fraternity Into decent and honorable caIings.
T. l. c.