Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-16
For the Spirit Of the Age.
Does Ardent Spirits Ever Kill ANY
Body e.


above question by the case of
VICTIM III.
Col. K. j., was once leading member of
the church, his walk and conversation was
consistent, his zeal for the cause of religion
was commendable and exemplary. He
was charitable to the poor, spd conducted
his household in the fear OF God. In an
unfortunate hour he became connected
with branch of business which led him
first to neglect his religious duties, while it
greatly interferred with his religious priyiI-
eyes. This dereliction of duty was soon
followed by temptations to evil, which by
being yielded to, soon led him away from
the path of duty and ended in his COM
plete estrangement from the church, and
his entire abandonment of every religious
duty. This unhappy change was painful
ly witnessed by his friends, and although
earnestly and affectionately demonstrated
with, persuaded and entreated to turn back
again to the bosom of the church, and the
confidence of his friends-he still strange !
ly persisted in his course. About this
time | was called to see him in an alarm
ing attack of cholic. From his general
symptoms, could not resist the conviction
that brandy had something to do with his
attack. Up to this time very few persons
had any such suspicion, and as | had only
heard the rumor, which concluded was
being confirmed by his present symptoms,
[ very delicately mentioned my fears to his
wife. With many bitter tears she inform
ed me that he was killing himself as fast as
liquor would do it-a conclusion I very
readily acceeded to,when she informed me
OF his habits and the quantity he drank in
"a hours, mostly at night. l instituted a
course of treatment suited to his case, one
feature of which was to draw off his stim-
ulants; this called forth many complaints
and repinings. He finally got well, only to
I plunge deeper in the burning tide, till in
less than two years, in a fit Of deliriuna
tremens, surrounded with every torturing
hallucination, or dreadful reality that char
acterises this terrible disease, he died.
VICTIM ".
Gen. W. G. S., was the subject of early
training and instruction, which was proba-
bly, more defective, touching the matter OF
dram-drinking than on almost every other
point. His father always holding that a
dram would hurt no one; and acting out
his principles by moderate use of spirits
> for many years. III the early Temperance
: reform, in this portion of country, he wa:
e told and warned of the danger of his ex
Il ample and teaching, if not upon himself, al
least upon his children. His invariable re
: ply was" That be had instructed his chill
e dren not to become drunkards, &c. and ht
& was therefore clear in all this matter" How
: many hundreds of parents in our owl
e State are now bolstering up themselves il
u this same way with what safety to thei
: children let the sequel prove. Genl. w
h G. S. grew up under these influences, an
d although his youth was wild and somewha
reckless for season, he was by no mean
IL intemperate. About the time he arrived t
> years of manhood he professed religion
If gave much promise of usefulness to th
g church and the world. He married mos
- inestimable and accomplished lady. Sh
le Inherited very considerable propert,
IN which when added to that of her HUSBAND
IS, enabled them to start in life under ausp
lie ces of the most flattering character. Ho
III many years this unalloyed happiness exi
1g ted no one knows. The melancholy trut
r. became apparent, alas too soon, th
nr be was the victim of intemperate habit
to Regard for his position in society, for
lie, family, and for public opinion, for awhi
Oy kept him under restraint. These, hcweve
. were not Of long duration, and then con
IT'S menced career Of wild, reckless, unr
Ia strained indulgence, which disgraced Il
rs, name and nature of man. His health SOC
a suffered from these excesses, and repeatt
ed and severe attacks of illness brought him u
ur der my care and treatment. 1t was tht
es that | witnessed the patient endurance, Il
We deep humiliation, the heart breaking SC
ad row of his poor disappointed wife. OF
,e- how oft has my heart been made sad al
ny heavy, while listening to the mournful
'e! tail of her sorrows. The utter hopele
'ur rayless sorrow of drunkards wife; he
be my cars yet ring with the soul-moving a
, Ipeals she has made to him to spare b
ac- this sorrow and humiliation, and VIII
IA with blasphemous oath or demoniac
zen laugh he has spurned her away from |
OF presence; with what speechless agony b
ng she turned me to come to her help. o.
EN- these-these are some of the bitter remi
ese iscences of the achievements of brand
the A career thus marked must soon ha
de- an end. I had occasion again and aga
'on to warn and demonstrate, and on one m
rye morable occasion while he was consult
are me for some disease, the result of bis
nee cesses, Iimplored him to desist I REM
our ded him of his wife, of his child, swe
md precious chid-of his friends, of his pc
liy, ton in society, and above all, of the wol
ned of his soul, and the danger that he mig
let finally lose this. I pointed out to b
ect what was his disease, its cause and the
CO. evitable death that awaited him if he $
ms, madly persisted in his course. Never sh
for | forget his answer. al know, Doct
oral you intend all this for my good. | kn
his | ought to do as you advise. l love
wife. | love my child. know my $
is of incalculable value. But I acish I a
# j" dead and an hell at this momentr
FIVE days after giving utterance to this
''"S full wish, after night spent in rioting
tour excess, while passing along the highway
lun- was stricken down with an apoplectic S
or ure, and died in amoment, to receive,
49, awfully to be feared, the full measure of
;, W. impious wish.
/ L IL