The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-14

-
The fac, that these young men, the SON
Of these fathers, were taken, up as above
stalled, did mol surprise Us. Il was bu, jus
wha, We had anticipated. On the evening
OF the las, election day, as we passed thro
the streets, We came to cody Of men as
sembled 10 listen TO congra,ula,ory speech
es upon the results Of the days work
Judging from those around where We
stood, We thought tha, at least ,hrec-6ith,
Of that assembly were more or less under
the influence Oiliquor. As We approached,
o speaker was addressing the crowd. He
was man past middle life, one whom from
our boyhood We had known and highly re-
spocled, q man Of high social and probes
sional standing Of amiable character and
exemplary lie. He was congalulating the
assembly upon the results Of the election,
especially rs affecting tho M.;"s Law qse'-
,ion. He praised those before him, large
portion Of whom were intoxicated, for the
noble stand they had taken and the noble Of.
fort they had made in defence Of their
"rish,s;" comparing them TO The fathers OF
our Revolution, and encouraged them 10
continue in the defence Of their right 70
use and sell ardent spirits. He evoked their
indignation against those men who sought
10 dictate to them what they should or
should not buy, sell and drink. We listen.
ed for awhile, as he proceeded with string
Of platiludes and the most trile and com.
mon place phrases Of the dcmagosue.-
Aside from its sentiments, il seemed 10 US
the weakes, and mos, discreditable speech
lha, We ever heard from an educated man
10 a public effort. The speaker was out Of
his element, and could not well act the part
he had assumed. He was speaking against
right, and, as we thought, against con.
science. and could not but be weak.
As the shouts of jrunken applause wen,
up around us, and as we thohshi OF tho po-
siiion oflho speaker and Of the stand and
influence, with respect to the moral welfare
Of society which, in view Of his character
and abilities, We had a righ, 10 expect OF
him, We turned away sick at heart, and with
sad reflections. We thought OF the i'm
mense evil which pntizan spirit was lead.
ing that man 10 do of his own sons, bo
fore whom with mos, unpa,ernal zeal he
was striving 10 array leniold temptation, a,
whose feet he, their father, was digging the
fatal pitiall. And we s'rove 10 onceive the
nature OF his reflections, il hereafter he
should be compelled to look upon those
sons consuming before his eyes BY a torch
Of his own kiudling-crushed beneath an
avalanche that with insane hand he him.
self had set loose upon them. As We
thought Of him, dsiantly laboring To re-
erec, traffic all OF whose frui,s have been
cViiB aHu WI NhiSu Wo CuEso w uoa uiohi'
testify rests, we were reminded OF the fate Of
him who, oio!d, in defiance Oflhe prohibi-
ton aud the curse Of heaven would rebuild
the ancien, city Of the palm trees. As his
impious work progressed, his children one
by one fell around him, and when !, was
completed he stood in the midst OF his fatal
achievements, childless and lone, like
blasted tree, stripped and sca,hed by the
lish,eninss Ofrelributive vengeance. "For
in those days did Hiel, the Be,helile, build
Jericho. He laid the foundation thereof in
Abiram his frs, born, and sci up the gates
thereof to his youngest son Ssgub."
I, was no matter Of surprise 10 US TO learn
tha, ono Of the three young men above
mentioned was son Of the speaker on tha,
evenins.-Zions Adroeate.