Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-12-05

which after rescuing them from The swell
| ling surges drifting them to the ocean OF
crime, will kindle in their hearts love for
the cause. and burning, yes undying
deteslalion, and adherence, for thai aw-
full poison which would blight in their
hearts every bud Of virtue; blast their
brighies, expectations; shatlrr their COM
handing talents; put out forever the lamp
of hope burning in their souls; rob them
of every source and elemen! OF happiness
in life, and of hope in the eternal world
But in addition TO the ruin of the yOuaS
men Of the community, what is II doing
rather what is ii not doing around the
6iesdes, and in The homes of this neigh
borhood ? How many once kind hus-
bands has it turned into fends:--how
MANY once affectionale fathers into ty-
rants How many hearts among the
wives and mothers Of Jefferson County
bleed this hour. that were once Joyous
with hopes, and bouyant with bright pros
poets ? How many sons and daughters
live in loneliness with crushed and broken
spirits nursing in tears and mouInful ST.
lence their secret griefs because of the
desoIalion it has brought upon their once
happy homes !
The writer will ever remember some Of
the evidences Of the awful work it has
wrought in this community, which he has
mourniully winessed;--scenes which
have burned the words TOTAL ABsTI-
NENcB' forever upon his heart, and which
have inspired him with far deeper IN
lerest in every scheme for the redemption
of the people from The curse of Rum, than
ever he had formerly cherished. lie has
stood by the bedside Of the young wife
and mother fading in li(e's morning, and
has gazed upon her wasted cheek and
wildly luslrous eye, as she was sinking
into the grave with disease incorporated
into the system by the use OF ardent splr-
It's He has heard her in anguish com
mend her little child to the protection OF
God has buried her the Utciim Of Rum,
and all this within sight Of the spires Of
Shepherds.own. What call Tor lremen-
dous moral action Cannot a temper
ance organization effect some change in
this state of things What can it not do
if Systematically directed ! 1t can send
forth moral Influences which will COM
mand attention and respect silence lis
enemies and turn the tide Of popular
opinion against the hOoG-gates of intern
perance. The home of the drunkard may
be visited successfully he may be plead
with TO reform The scorching tear drop
may be brushed from the eye OF orphan.
age and widowhood. Through It's labors
and instrumentali,y joy and happiness
may reign where all Is now sorrow and
gloom the rolling waves "f drunkenness
may be stayed, or al least broken and re-
tarded, and many may be directly and
indirectly saved from the ruin wrought by
this great agency of death, who in anolh-
err and brig hler world will rise up and cal!
those "6iessed" who were successful IN
ehecting their salvation. We need IN
this community such a band Of moral he
roes and heroines, as will bare their ho-
SONS TO the storm of unp"puIarly which
always is concomlant wish The ESTABLISH
menl Of such an organization storm
which sweeps principally from those
most affected by temperance in their
financial interests men who tor he
sake of few dollars would tear from any
home and family ali their happiness by
introducing into il this poison, and then
send Them amid the darkness and despair
oc the "delirium tremens' hopeless to
the bar OF God.
Such an organization is needed as the
agen; of the law. Some thorough prolec-
tive system is demanded that illegaIly
may rot triumph, and that the rumseIer
be confined TO the limits OF the law. 1t
can be proved that the law is now viola
ted and uampled upon in this town, In
overriding THAI clause which forblds the
sale of intoxicating liquors to persons OF
African extraction. We need as lovers OF
law and order some great invesllga
agency. The servants Of both town and
country can purchase any amount from
single dram up TO gallon or more at any
time. Hundreds Of them taking advan-
,age of the darkness, obtain it under cover
OF night, until the matter has become a
notorious fact. And the question may be
appropriately asked Have Sir licenses
TO sell ardent spirits been furnished by the
County Court TO persons in Shepherds
town and yet Sir houses are open here
for the retail of Rum. This fact also de-
serves attention.
We need temperance organization TO
place check upon the rumseIIer ito
show him that the public eye rests upon
his actions to limit as far as possible the
circle of his influence, and the field of his
operations, and 10 teach him in trumpet
tones the fact that DoDular Instrumentation