Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-04
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY. JANUARY /, 1856

us the Maine Taw, aud We have the
broom that Will }o the work effectually.
l go for this law gentlemen. And I am
going TO lie meeting tonight. Judge
1Tllisms is 10 speak. Poor man! He
VIII not speak Ia vain, for all the good
speaking viii dohim; but if he does not
stir all hearts to their lowest depths, call
/ Dick Thomas q fol.
$ You'll givefen a speech, too, won't
yoo?" said the landlord, in impotent
contempt. as
"If you're there, ii, retorted Thom-
as. 7 could Aaye.a better subject than
the spider AMI
A shout of 'api;.auae frana lbs rllde in
mates of the bar room answered the cut
ting speech, and under the governing i'm
pulse of the moment, it was voted 10 at
tend the Maine Law meeting in body.
You'd better drink all round TO boil
ster up good resolution, said the land
lord, forcing a smile. He had sense
enough to see the folly Of quarreling with
his customers, and so repressed his irri-
tation.
mot bad idea,' quickly answered
one of the company; and in moment
the tickle crew were at the counter, and
the landlord as busy as he could be in
mixing the tempting poisons for their
lips. I turned of, sad at the sight, and
left the bar room.
At an early hour in the evening, I was
at Lyceum Hall. The room was nearly
filed on my arrival, but I managed to
get a place near the speakers stand.
"Judge Williams is to speak, l heard
whispered behind me. This seemed the
leading attraction of the evening. Who
Judge Williams was, or what particular
interest attaching to him, I had not yet
learned. That a blight was on him in
his old age, was plain; but where and
what the blight was, I could only infer
but vaguely.
The meeting was organised in due
form, and resolutions offered approving
the Maine Law, and calling upon the
Legislature of the State 10 enact one
similar in its provisions. Then came a
pause of expectation. The old man I
had thought to see on the stand was moi
there. looked around tie room, but
failed to recognise him. Others seemed
il ike expectation with myself There
was now movement near the door. I
turned with the rest of the audience, and
saw the pale, thin, intelligent face of the
old man 1 had noticed at the brown cot
tage.
"There is Judge Williams" I heard
passing from lip to lip. He moved
slowly along the aisle until he reached
the platform, which he ascended, and
took a chair near the President of the
meeting.
The Secretary wiz read the resolu-
tions again," said the chairman.
The resolutions were accordingly read.
A brief silence followed, and Judge VIII
liams arose in a slow, dignified manner.
A little while lie stood his fine eyes
/ that seemed to light up his whole face,
wandering over the audience. All was
still as if there had not been a living souI
in the room.
Ny friends, his voice was low and
trembled slightly,-"I meet you this
evening in public asseInblase, for the
first time in many months. I may never
meet you again. A lonely old man, with
all hope in life gone, I ans Gngerer
here only for q little while Soon, the
faces that have seen me viii see me no
more. J shall pass the bourne from
which no traveller returns-and pass ii, I
feel, right early. have been among
you many years; and in all ny public
life, have in the fear Of God, sought to
judge rightly between my fellow men
To err Is human therefore / have not
been free from error; but the merit Of
good intention, must in justice claim.
"My friends, look at me as I stand be-
fore you tonight; 2 and he advanced a
/ few PAGES on the platform. "This head
is whittier than it was year ago-tllis
hapd not 50 zteady--tliis poor body less
firm AID erect. am a shattered ,yrecl.
on the sea Of Efe--the last frail vessel oil
goodly feet that went down in the pitt
less tempest. How yainly did ! search
for harbor when saw the storm gath
ering; but there was none ia which VIC
might ride in safety.
Fellow citizens :" his form was now
more erect, and lis tone frmer and deep
eF--'. turn your thoughts back for twenty
years, such Of you as can recall eycals
for 90 long period Dil not then Gag
a.s.4