Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-01-06
MISCELLA A N Y
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For the Spectator.
A Reminisc enCe.

LW Uto ')PcOtUtV.
A Reminisc ence.
In the year 1S3-, two young men met, as
they were accustomed to do, at the village tay-
ern. After the usual salutations of the morning
the conversation turned upon the lectures of the
past evening, to which they had both listened.
For the first time they had been privileged to
hear a temperance lecture. The subject of TEN.
perance organization was then novelty. The
universal habit of the community was dram
drinking, if not drunkenness. The universal
sentiment was the panaceal character of alco
holic stimulus.
They had seen, it is true, the deplorable con-
sequences of drukenness-scarce family but
what felt its blighting touch but then that in
their estimation, was not the legitimate conse-
ouence of drinking, it was only the abuse of q
necessary and healthful beverage. Its presence
was also required as the necessary evidence of
friendship and hospitality. He was badly treat
ed if the decanter was not set out and an invi-
tation given to partake OF the pleasure-exciting
fluid
Such are the sentiments that obtained, and
the circulation of the appointment of temper
ance meeting produced no small stir in the vii
lage, and however chimerical they thought the
object, yet all went to the temperance meet
ing The village church was filled. Perhaps
the character of the lecturers had some intlu-
ence-one was physician, whose character was
known as man of great professional skill and
of great integrity of character, the other law
yer, although young, and not so much known,
vet his coming excited interest. If the meeting
had been gotten up by the ministers of the Cos.
pei, who preached to the people, some would
have regarded it as the work of priestcraft and
paid no attention to the call but there were
professional men, though pious as the writer
believes, yet unconnected with the ministry and
the people wanted to hear what they had to
say. The lectures were listened to with atten'
ton The physician contemplated the subject
IN relation 10 mans physical condltion, Its ten
dency to arrangement, Its functions, producing
disease and premature death. The lawyer, he
looked at it in its social and political relations,
uniting men for the duties of social or political
relationship; urging that this was the prolific
source of most of the business OF the courts
They both urged the duty OF abstinence from all
Intoxicating drinks as the only course of safety
and urged the immediate organization of tenn
perance society pledgng abstinence.
This was the subject of conversation between
these two young men. One impressed with the
arguments of the lecturers, satisfied of the inju
that he with the rest had been acting under a
bewitching deluson said that he would be a
temperance man. The other contending for his
old views said II can temper myself. will not
pledge myself to abstain, | believe in freedom
not slavery" In some respects these two
young men differed The social laws that too
frequently obtain in large towns are not so like
ly to obtain in SIN Ter. They become acquaint-
J ~, ;,to Joil, inf
butS few associates, and hence, the castles and
distinctions in society are apt to be forgotten or
controlled as not to be seen in their social inter-
course Indeed it is greatly to be deplored that
the laws of social intercourse, are generally
arbitrary they are based upon no true tounda-
tion. 1t is wealth or poverty or family that ix-
es position.
The first and great distinction ought to DE
moral one, the second and subordinate ought to
be intellectual. In ordinary cases the moral or
intellectual qualifications make no basis for dis
tinction. If they have the distinction of wealth
or family it is enough and these are passports
TO the most refined and elevated circles af socie-
ty.
Permit me to say to the fair reader, that they
are greatly to blame. If the touch of suspicion
rests upon them, they are banished from society
forever-no atonement can be made. But men
whose characters are known for their dissolute-
ness and profigacy receive the smiles and ca
resses of the fair sex. Virtue! where is thy
blush
These two young men were companions
They had been habits of intercourse for years
and had INDUCED freely in drink and We're ire
auently quite intoxicated. Such was the condl-
ton of things at the conversation spoken Of
One said he would be a temperance man, the
other said he he would temper himself.
Now for the sequel
Sometime previous to the conversation alu-
ded to there came to the village beautiful
young LADY, say beautiful young lady. The
writer while penning these lines of warning,
traces the lineaments of her face; they come up
as the vision OF former days. He sees the mild
ness of her eye, the delcateness Of her skin, the
rose of her cheek the regularity of her features,
the symmetry of her entire person, presenting
before him one the most beautiful females that
he has ever seen. One of these young men
the one too who said he could temper himself
wooed and won her. They were married.
Sometime after this, as was thought, happy con
summation, these two friends separated. The
one left his native place for the purpose of prac-
tisng his profession. In the town in which he
was located he assisted in organizing the first
temperance society and made his first speech
before public audience advocating its princi-
pies. Shortly after, as if the determination to
be temperance man--to throw away his cups,
was the dawning of Gracious light, he was a.
wakened and converted to God. And under the
pressure of duty, he has given himself to the
ministry OF his word and is sincere, we doubt not
in calling sinners to repentance.
How true is it that there is connected with
the smallest events the greatest results. This is
true in science as well as its influence on indi-
vdual character and results.
We little know the Importance of single
step. The most opposite results are connected
with the smallest divergence.
| am now called to trace the history of the
other, ! would could throw upon the per-
spective Of his history and that of his wife and
family the brightest colors. l would that the
visions of the day of betrothment and of mar
riage were all realized. would that in truth
the narrator could picture to the reader fam
lily where unalloyed happiness existed. would
that could speak of the fathers devotion, of his
industry, of his temperance; but alas. alas! the
picture as it passes, as it becomes history, makes
a painful record
He had fixed as the rule of his life, that he
could temper himself that he could master his
nwn onnetitos Tho determination raenltad