The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-08-05
s. What for Mother z,

There are some wholesome thoughts
which should find glorious awakening
in more than one benighted mind we know
of,-in the following extract from local
Item in the Y. Y Tribune of July 3lst,
Brutalized by indul geuce in rum" All,
how many old lips that advocate the ac-
cursed traffic IN mems souls-who cheer
fully, by word and example, electioneer
for the Devil in his strife to become mas
Ter of mems desires-Who stand up for
wrong knowingly--how many we say, are
there of these that could have been orna-
ments to the life they now dishonor and
degrade, Ind they in their childhood ask
ed "What for, Mother" and received
the true answer Of the Mothers heart,
thus; Intemperance is sin; it destroys
mep's souls, degrades manhood, brutalizc>
humanity, ncutralizes mind it strength
ems vice, ravishes virtue, bereaves social
ty, demoralizes genius, encourages all
classes Of sin and sneevs at whlteyer is
good and noble in the souls of men-there-
fore, my son, maintain the innocence Of
thy childhood-let Temperance be thy
shield, and virtue will reward thee open
IT," Truly, if children would all ask,
aud oftener, What for, Mother 2" there
would be less need of the gallows and
bapgmep
"Iames Kelly was hung yesterday.
These five little words have already beer
printed thousands Of times, and every mai!
that left the metropolis Of America this
morning will bear them aboard, flying, as
it were, on the wings of the wind to every
other city and into every village and post.
Office, and ere twenty-four hours have
elapsed from the one in which James
Kelly ceased to breathe, millions of men,
women and children will have read that
James Kelly was hung yesterday.
"'What for, mother 2" will be the ex-
clamation Of little lips as little cars drink
in the words, painted, with all the detail
Of horrid circumstances, in every daily pa
per printed this morning in this city, and
not Only y here, but the telegraph has al
ready sent the message to other cities,
and the types will repeat that James Kel-
y was hung yesterday.
"' What for, mother p" Who shall
answer that child's mometuous question
Will it be answered if it is replied that a
few months ago, being brutallzei by in
diligence i'll rum, which Is permitted to be
sold as common as bread, being brptaliz-
ed by such Indulgence, and madlened by
fancied wrongs, in fit of insane jealousy
he stabbed and killed his wife, the moth
er of Just such little children as those who
ask, What for, mother?' They may be
told that such is the law; but it will not
answer the What for did they hang him.
They may be told that he was guilty of
murder-that twelve meu sat in solemn
conclave as a Coroner's Jury, and heard
witnesses swear to The fact that he nor no
one else ever disputed, and then solemnly
pronounced him guilty; and then twelve
other men sat in secret conclaye as Grand
Jurors, aud heard the same witnesses
swear again to pndisppted facts, and they
found true hill,' that he dld kill his
wltaj and then other twelve men sat as
petit Jurors, and heard the witnesses testi-
fy again, and lawyers plead that he was
and that be was not, and the Judge charge
them to give verdict according to svi