The Kanzas news., 1858-03-13

The Hon. George n. Briggs, Ex-Governor
of Massachusetts, delivered temperance
address some time since, in the course of
thrilling effect:
Mr.. Briggs said this question of the intro
duction of intoxicating drinks assumed some
what of practical form last Spring in a
thriving borough in Pennsylvania. The in
habitants had assembled, as was their usual
custom, to decide what number, if any, OF
licences the town should petition from the
County Court, from whence they were is
sued. There was full attendance. One
of the most respectable magistrates of the
borough presided, and upon the platform
were seated, among others, the clergyman
of the village, one of his deacons, and the
physician.
After the meeting had been called to or
der, one of the most respectable citizens Of
the borough rose, and after short speech
moved that the meeting petition for the usual
number of licences. They bad better Ii
cense good men and let them sell. The prop
osition seemed to meet with almost uniyer
sal favor. 1t was an excellent way to gel
along quietly, and one and then another in
their turn expressed their hope that such {
course would be adopted.
, The President was about to put the ques-
ton to the meeting, when an object rose il
| distant part of the building, and all eyes
were turned in that direction. 1t was ar
old woman, poorly clad, and whose care
worn countenance was the painful index o.
no light suffering. And yet there was
something In the flash of the bright eye
that told she had once been what she was
T not. She addressed the President, anC
said, with his permission, she wished to say
a few words to the meeting. She had come
because she had heard that they were to de-
eide the license question.
"You,'' said she, call know who I am
You once knew me the mistress of one O
/ the best estates in the borough. 1 once had
. husband and FIVE sons and woman never
i had kinder husband-mother never haC
FIVE better or more affectionate sons. Blu
where are they now? Doctor, ask wher,
; are they now? In yonder burying GROUND
there are six graves, filled by that husband
L and those five sons, and oh they are al
e drunkards' graves. Doctor, how cam'
: they to be drunkards You would com,
D and drink with them, and you told then
that temperate drinking would do then
n good. And you too, sir, addressing tn
!, clergyman. would come and drink with M
e husband ; and my sons thought they nigh
: drink with safety, because they saw 70,
n drink. Deacon, you sold them rum whicl
n made them drunkards. You have now 90
$ my farm and all my property. and you go
: it all by rum. And now have done m,
g errand. l go back to the poor-house, 70
g that is my home. You, reverend sir. you
e doctor, and you, deacon, shall never mee
again, until meet you at the bar of God
It where you too win meet my ruined AM
d lost husband and those FIVE sons, who
1t through your means and influence, fill th
= drunkard graves
The old woman sat down. Perfect 81
:: lence prevailed. until broken by the Presi
Ii dent, who rose to put the question to tn,
meeting-shall we petition the court to is
g sue licenses to this borough the ensuin
year and then one unbroken No whic
s made the very walls re-echo with the sound
IS told the result of the old woman's appeal.