The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-08-18
The Widows Temperance Speech.

The Hon. Geo N. Briggs, ex-governor
of Massachusetts, delivered temperance
address some time since, in the course Of
which he related the following anecdote
with thrilling effect:
Mr.. Briggs said this question of the in.
PRODUCTION of intoxicating drinks assum-
ed somewhat OF q practical form last
spring in thriving borough in Pennsyl.
vania. The inhabitants had assembled
as was their usual custom, to decide what
number, if any of licenses the town
should petition from the country court.
from whence they were issued. There
was full attendance. One of the most
respectable magistrates of the borough
presided, and npon the platform were sea.
ted, among others, the clergyman of the
village, one Of his deacons, and the pby.
sician. F'
After the meeting had been called TO
order,one Of the most respectable citizens
of the borough rose, and after A short
speech moved that the meeting petition
Tor the usual number of licenses. They
had better license good men and let them
sell 1t. The proposition seemed TO meet
with almost universal favor. 1t was an
excellent way to get along quietly, and
one and then another in their turn ex.
pressed their hope that such a course
would be adopted.
lhe president was about to put the
question TO the meeting, when an object
rose in distant part of the building, and
all eyes were instantly turned in that di-
rection' 1t was an old woman poorly
clad, and whose careworn countena ance
was the painful index OF no ligh. suffer
ing and yet there was something il the
flash Of the bright eye that told she had
omce been what she was not. She ad.
dressed the president, and SAID, with his
| permission, she wished to say few words
to The meeting. She come because she
had heard they were to Cecide The license
! question.
YOU said she, 'all know who | am
lou once knew NE the mistress of one of
! the best estates in the borough. | once
had husband and five sons and wo.
man never had kinder husband-moth-
er never had five better or more affection
I ale sons. But where are they now q
. Doctor, | ask where are they now Z Ir,
/ yonder huryng ground there are six
graves filled by tina: husband and those
/ rre sous, ana oh 'hey are all drunkarc,s
| graves. D,,"', bow came they TO be
drunkards lou would come and drink
with them, and you told them that tenn
perance drinking would do them good
And you too, SIR addressing the clergy
man, would come and drink with my
husband, and my sons thought they
might drink with safety, because they saw
YOU drink. Deacon, you sold them rum
which made them drunkards. You have
now got my farm and AL my property,
and you got it all by rum. And now,
she said, Il have done my errand, I 90
back to the poor house, for that is my
home. You, reverend sir, you doctor, and
| you, deacon, shall never meet again un.
I'll | meet you, at the bar Of God, where
you, too, will meet my ruined and lost
husband ard those five sons, who through
your means and influence fill the drum
kards' graves
The old woman sat down. Perfect 81.
lence prevailed until broken by the presi.
dent, who rose to put the question to the
mee'ing-shall We petition to the court
TO issue license to this borough the ensu
ing year and then one unbroken, No |!
which made the very walls re-echo with
the sound, told the result Of the old wo.
mans appeal.