Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-07

Ton MARsHALL's ExPRRIENoE.-The &C.
centric and eloquent Thomas F Marshall of
Kentucky, has been lecturing upon total alb
sunence, at Cincinnati. The Gazette of that
city gives a full report of his remarks, from
which we extract the following:
g In 1871, he had been elected to represent
II Congress, the Ashland District of Ken
lucky. In common with other gentlemen,
he had been accustomed to the occasional
use of intoxicating liquors, but he had never
gone so far but that he believed himself to be
beyond the reach of such use as led to ruin.
Perhaps. too, he thought that his force of
mind, and his physical constitution was such
as to secure him a triumph If he were ever
tempted.
He went to Washington, and there served
three sessions. He would say that of all the
places he had ever been in yet, filed with
high, dlgnihed and good men-aS it has been
-Qaughter) Washington was the most dan
gerous, for those who were likely to fall into
Incorporate habits. He went there with
large majority, for whatever he may have
been since, he was terrible Wing then, and
beng somewhat popular he was frequently
asked to drink. Many men there could drink
decently, he never could. He was always
excited to some frolic, and his mad pranks
were published by the newspapers through
the country. He began to do what he had
never done before, drink daily, and found
himself falling into the habits of a drinker.
At that time the Total Abstinence movement
was conducted by the Washingtonians, and
they had meetings in Washington. One
morning he went into the Capitol thoroughly
frightened, and asked if any one could tell
him where the Temperance Society was
He was referred to a member of Massaeh-
usetts, Geo. N. Briggs-since then for many
years Governor of the State-and a man of
undoubted integrity and spotless morality.
Mr.. Briggs told him that he was a member of
the Society, and would that evening take him
to the meeting where he might sign the
pledge. He replied that that would mt do, for
between then and night lay the danger
(Laughter.J Mr.. Briggs upon this admins.
tered the pledge to him upon the spot. The
Society he found, protested to be one of re-
formed drunkards, but he didn't care for the
name; he was thoroughly about himself, and
for four years he said upon his honors gen
tleman. he never swallowed a drop of aco-
hohc liquor. After a time, Washngtonlans
gave way to the Sons of Temperance. He
was opposed to that organization, and was
also opposed to the Maine Law and the poit
ical uses made of the Total Abstinence move
ment. He did not sympathise with the efforts
w AuH ptdIe tlcket upon LnaI issue.
Mr.. Marshall then read his address. 1t
consisted of tribute to the worth of DIR. Sc
wall of an eloquent defence of Temperance
Society organizations; of an earnest appeal
of the temperate to unite with such societies.
and glowing description of the benefits
arising from total abstinence. 1t closed with
an exaltant promise to abide by the pledge
taken till the day Of death.-The speaker laid
aside his Manuscript, and, with evidently very
deep feeling, said:
every word of that was written in the
deepest sincerity. 1t was felt most heartily.
l was confident in myself. When l look
back upon that speech l see in it Boosting,
yaunting tone that makes me feel ashamed.
In that speech defed demon,-I de6ed the
devil-and the devil attacked me and fell,
like Luciier, through pride. 1 needed the
lesson to teach me not to rely wholly on my
self. In the beautiful words of that beautiful
book which we call the Bible, go out now in
humble mood, and modestly seek a support
outside OF myself. l lean upon stronger
arm than mine. 1t was to strengthen myself
in this last effort that delivered this address
tonight, for feel that if fall now shall
fall never to rise