Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-19
The Widows Speech on the License
Question.

THIS speech, though very Short goes to
the bottom of the subject, and when we'll
considered, will settle the question: ED.
The Hon. George N. Briggs, Ex-Governor
of Massachusetts, delivered IL temperance ad.
dress some time since, in the course Of which
he related the following anecdote with thrill
Ing effect;
Mr. Briggs said this question Of the
introduction of intoxicating drinks assumed
somewhat Of a practical form last spring in Il
thriving borough in Pennsylvania The
inhabitants had assembled, as was their usual
custom, to decide what number, fanny, licenses
the town should petition from the County
Court, from whence they are issued. There
was Il full attendance One of the most
respectable magistrates the borough prcsi-
dod, 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 order
one Of the most respectable citizens Of the
borongh rose, and, after short speech, moved
that the meeting petition Tor the usual mum
Der of licenses. They had better license
good men, and let them sell. The PROPOSE.
ton seemed to meet with almost universal
favor. 1t was an excellent way to ct along
quiety--and one, and then another, in their
turn expressed their hope that such u course
would be adopted.
The President was about to put the ques-
ton to the meeting, when an object rose in a
distant part of the building, and all eyes
were instantly turned in that direction. 1t
was an old woman poorly clad, and whose
careworn counteuance was the painful index
of no light suffering. And yet there was
something in the flash Of the bright eye that
told she had once been what she was not
then. She addressed he President, and said
with his permission, she wished to say lew
words to the meeting. She had come because
she had heard that they were TO decide the
license question.
"You,' said she, "al know who | am
Y GU once knew the mistress of one Of tht
best estates in the borough. | once had Q
husband and five sons and woman never haC
kinder husband--mother never had five
better or more affectionate sons. But where
are they now? Doctor, | ask, where arr
they now? In yonder burying ground there
are six graves filed by that husband anc
those five sous, and o ! they are all drunkard'
graves. Doctor, how came they to be drunk
ards? You would come and drink with then
and you told them that temperate drinkin!
would do them good And you, too, sir
addressing the clergyman, "would come anc
drink with my husband and my SONS though
they might drink with safety because the,
saw you drink. Deacon, you sold them run
which made them drunkards. You have nov
got my Iarm and all my property, and yo'
got it all by rum. And now" she said, {"
have done my errand. 60 back to the poor
house, for that is my home You revere
sir, you, Doctor, and you, Deacon, | shal
never meet again, until / meet you at tn
bar Of God, where you, too will meet m
ruined and lost husband and those five sons
who through your means and influence, fl
drunkard's graves" The old woman Sd
down. Perfect silence prevailed until broke
by the President, who rose to put the que
ton to the meeting. "Shall we petition I'll
cour. TO issue licenses to this borough tn
ensuing year" and then one unbroken No
which made the very walls re-echo with ii
sound told the result of the old woman's al
peal.