Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-05
ORIGINAL PAPERS.
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Written for the Spirit of the Age.
THE DREAM:
OR TIE DRUNKARDS WARNING
TALE OF THE EwAsHINGToNIANs.
by RUPERT ROVER.

Oh i Al E DlbO ANIAAAhlJD w AAANA'AA'N
TALE OF THE wAsHINGToNIANs.
ny RUPERT ROVER.
II was in the winter Of the year 184l.-l
The society for the promotion of Temperance
known as the Washingtonians, which had
sprung into existence some six months or
more previous, was in the full career of Its
glory and usefulness. Owing to the mutual
assistance and encouragement afforded each
other by its members, and the untiring and
praisewOrthy exertions Of all connected with
it, the ball still rolled onward; the Society
was daily increasing in strength and impor-
tance, and numbers Of poor, miserable
wretches, who had long been regarded as
disgrace to themselves and friends and were
considered by everybody as entirely past re-
formation, were brought under its protecting
folds aud rescued from the drunkard's grave.
The hearts Of mothers and children were
made to rejoice at the great change for the
better in those they loved, and all the bless
ings Of Heaven were freely invoked upon the
heads Of those who originated and sustained
this great and glorious movement.
One particular feature Of the Washingto-
mans was, the meetings held by them at
stated periods, at which after the usual pre-
liminary business had been transacted, such
Of the members as thought proper to do so
related their experience; that is, they told
in what manner they had first contracted the
habit Of using ardent spirits as n beverage,
gave an account of what befel them in con-
sequence thereof and the circumstances I'M
der which they had been induced to give up
the intoxicating cup and connect themselves
with the society.
These experiences were always highly in
terestng; sometimes amusing; but more
often the tales Of misery and degradation,
poverty and suffering thus brought to light,
were sufficient to melt the hardest heart and
frequently brought tears to the eyes of all
who heard them
There is no doubt but that this feature of
the society was very important one, and
productive Of n vast deal of good for many
a miserable drunkard who had been attrac-
ted towards these meetings from no other
cause than curiosity to witness their proceed
ings-and there were many such-upor
hearing an intimate acquaintance, with whom
he had often partaken of the Intoxicating
Gun. relate the scenes and incidents in hii
career in many Of which he had himself par
ticipated, and which were in every respec
the counterpart Of his wn,iwould say to him
self: 1t is not yet too late there is stil
hope for me > signed the pledge and endeavor
ed to become again what he had once been,
useful and respected member of society,"
Such instances were of constant occurrence
and il was not an uncommon thing when
member had related his experience and til
usual custom, for as many as forty or fifty
connect themselves with the society at q sill
gle meeting.
One night in the month Of December
the year before mentioned, we happene
to be present at one Of these experienC
meetings. The night, as may be readil
inferred from the season of the year We
very cold but in addition to that, it wa
cloudy and damp; thin drlzzllng rain We
falling which made it exceedingly disagree
lie. But, notwithstanding the inclemenc
of the weather the hall where the mGetin
was held was crowded, and arriving ratht
late we found it somewhat difficult TO procul
n seat. At tho appointed hour the PresideI
took the stand and the regular routine of b,
sinoss was begun. This part of the procee
ings however was soon gotten through, au
the President then announced that it any
the members present thought proper to at
dress the meeting, they now had an oppo
tunity of doing so, and he should be glad
hear from them. The strictest silence an
attention was now observed and all presel
eagerly watched to see who would be the fir
speaker. For several minutes the stillne
Of death pervaded the entire assembly, whC
finally member seated close to the star
arose aud addressed the President.
lie was a man in the prime Of life;
Judge from his appearance about thirty yea
Of age; ofatall commanding form aud ia
which might once have been called handsor
and intelligent, but which now plainly be
the marks Of intemperance and disspati
carried to the greatest excess. lie W
x.h,ah 10, IL -.
worn and nearly threadbare, was neat a
clean, and his whole appearance was that
one who had been nursed and reared in
lap ofplenty, but who had also felt the pin
inc hand and experienced the bitter effe
of poverty through the instrnmentality Of
intoxicating cup. Gazing for moment "
the audience, who were listening with brea
less attention, he begun
'Nr. President TO those present here
evening. the relation Of my experience n
not prove very interesting, but feel, sir, t
it is my duty, land in fact the duty of ev
one of u.s. to exert whatever influence | Il
happen to possess to advance this great T.
perance reformation, and to arrest the
gress Of the fell destroyer Of the peace
happiness Of society. When look arol
me, sir, upon the large number of pers
assembled here this evening in spite of
unpleasant weather, fear that there l
be many amongst them who are now ira
inp the same dangerous road that |
many Of Us have travelled and theref
with tho sincere hope that all such ma,
induced by what | may say tonight to
short in their mad career, and retrace t
steps whilst it is not yet too late, will re
my simple story.
Il was born in pleasant valley amo
he mountains Of this State. My pal