True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-13
StlisteIIang.
legislators and Licenses.


Il is seldom, says the Sun, that we
have read a more biting, sarcastic, with
ering reproof of liquor selling than is con-
isined IN the suhjOined article. We do
not wonder that The covering liquor
dealer looked The very embodiment of hui
initiation and shame The article is
.worlh the careful perusal of our legisla-
tors and of all who are signing petitions
for the repeal of our restraining law
We wish the old lady could make short
yisi. to Harrisburg, and have an interview
with some Of the members who seem bent
upon restoring our old license system,
with IFS endless mischiefs and unulterable
abominations. We think with such ap-
peals as she made TO the liquor dealer,
they might pause and abandon their pur-
pose. But 10 the article-here il is, with
all its deep pathos and thrilling eloquence:
would to God that the Maine Law
could have passed fifty years ago." We
turned to find an o!dlady on the seat back
Of US, ven,uring her wish in the midst Of
an earnest discussion between a Maine
Law Yankee and red-nosed member Of
the bottle fraternity. Yes, continued
The old lady, fifty years ago. A hus-
band would not have gone down to
drunkard's grave, my daughters married
drunkards and lived lives of sorrow, or
my hoys have died in Jail and the mad
house. 'Look at me- and with some
thing of fire kindling up in her old eyes,
she laid her bony hand upon the arm of
the liquor dealer, and see wreck Of your
accursed business. was young, had
enough of this worlds goods, and my
heart was full Of happiness and hope
My God sir, how they have poured tes-
olation into this old heart. am often
bitter, and do you wonder! Such as yoa
robbed me of all my children, and at eigh-
ty years of age | am alone-do you hear
alone! And lei me tell you, this hand
never wronged The least of Gods crea-
lures. But you sir, wronged me. You,
sir, talk about the domicil. and say it is
sacred. God forgive me, but remember
the day when my home vas entered by
the constables and skinned of all. re-
member when the Bible my mother gave
me was taken away for drink. remem-
Der the time when my first.born vas laid
in my arms from drunken husbands
hsnds, and its little life blood ran warm
into my bosom from its wounds. Why,
sir, and The old woman half raised IN her
seat, in Gods holy name, did you come
into ms house to roo and kill? Vas that
constitutional have one child living
in the asylum--a maniac. IL, all the
work Of your hands. There is blood
there! Blood, Sir! Better, ST., have
milestone around your nec!; nan sell
rum. The curse of the widow is upon
you. 1t will follow you. The setpants
you send out shall return 10 you end
yours. 'Give me that botle.' Mvolun.
tarily, as it almost seemed, The liquor deal.
or handed the old lady The bottle which
he held in his hand. She dashed il on
of the car window, and slowly resumed
her seat. The people who had crowded
around while the train was stopping, tc
hear the conversation, slowly end thought
fully dispersed to their seats, and he lov
covering liquor dealer looked lie We
embodiment Of humiliation anu shame
With deep siga We turned away, ou
own iailh made stronger oy tie I.iaint
Law sermon VIC had listened %. Al
how many in our land would have esca
ped the bitterness of life bad rur, bee,
tanishcd in their i,sy !-Cayuuga CHIEF