Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-23
Criminal AaRus.
For the Spirit Of the Age
What I have Seen ard Heard.


Mn. EDnoR-1hc victims Of intempcr- /
auce are so numerous, and so many sad .
scenes and shocking occurrences, caused .
by the excessive use Of intoxicating liquors
are related, that it is almost needless for .
any one to speak Of the anguish and mise
nv that has fallen under his observation as
the consequence of the sale and use Of ar
dent spirits. But ! venture to mention a
few actual occurrences, that ! have either
witnessed myself or learned from reliable
authority, all Of which transpired in the
short space Of one year, while the writer
was sojourning in small town Of middle
Tennessee.
On one occasion | observed an excite
meut at the room Of the Justice OF the
Peace. Mingling with the dense throng
and listening to the testimony given, soon
learned that in the grocery near by, a mar,
involved in a quarrel, had stabbed another.
That was in drunken carousal. Among
the witnesses appeared the proprietor of
the d2zgery, that was making his living by
dealing out to his custom ers, distress by
The dram, and death by the dimes worth.
He stated that he cndeayorcd to suppress
the quarrel, aud thus turned thefa ont of
the house adding, that he wished to keep
a peaccabIe house. | cannot express my
iceGngs mt that moment: a man to say
that he wanted to keep peaccable house,
while vending an article that he knew
would kndle the passions, arouse the an
GER, inAame the fires of vengeance and fury
in the bosom Of those that drink the mad
dening poison, and render them reckless
with regard to consequences What folly
and absurdity With the same propriety
the devil might say, that he wished to
keep peace in the darI, dungeon of despair,
while torturiug those that suffer the fierce
pangs of misery that he heaps upon them.
The man could not give security, and had
to 90 to Jail, on cold dreary day, leaving
at home wife and nine children, that
doubtless felt much uncasiness as they wal
ted long for his return, and with deep So
licitude pierced through the gloom of nigh
to watch for his coming aud while the
cold pelting rain, and fttul gusts of vino
howlcd moanfuily without, fercer storm
ragged in the bosom Of that griefstrickel
wife.
There lived in that town man of fin
genius, an excellent mechanic. engaged il
q very lucrative business, and had ever,
facility Of success he was admired for hi
general information and some fine trait
Of character But alas he was a votar
of the poisonous bowl. With the hope {
his relormation he was admitted into a
organization noted for bcneyolcnce frienC
ship and harmony, and every effort W.
made 10y the order to restore him change
and happy man. But, sad to relate, attC
being elected to the highest office in tl
Lodge, ne died raying with dcliriam n
8cpa before the night Of installation, an
left family in indigency, to be supportC
by the charity Of others. Poor discons
late daughter Of sorrow, contrary to Il
will Of her parents She married that ma
left her home in North Carolina, followC
him far from the dear scenes Of her Ell
hood; and doubtless but few of her on
fond associates, and ardent admirers, a
aware Of the sad, sad fate Of the once bea
tilal aud intelligent girl.
Another man who was living the
spent all his gains in dram-drinlling,
though those that sold him the accurs
beverage knew that the cruel demon VIC
f,om the grocery home to abuse aud b,
cruelty his wife and while the dasta
wretch one night was inAictng crr
blows on the one that he had promised
49,, protect, Young man gave him sevC
Ntloggjng, for which he was fined $40; |
thclades Of the town generously paid t
fine. Soon, from his outrageous cc
.I,,,t tg ,v,g p,yH D,l IN, Il +lo,o I
ted him, aud he promised, with tears, Il
he would drink no more His faithful "
stayed with him in the dreayy prison
the time that the jaiIor would permit;
after MS release from prison the rnmsell
would still sell him whiskcy, REGARDLESS.
It's direful effects and the suffcrings
wrctchedness Of his wife.
One day heard lovely lady exclai
al wish they would not bring any IN
LIQUOR to -" sympathsed dee
with the lady that made the fruitless W
She had given her heart and hand to
that she thought would delight to love
make her happy, His position gave
an opportunity of being honorable
prosperous, and bv sobriety and diigc
he might have taken high stand or
mount OF la,ue, but he had already rec
cd the appcilation Of "a walking d,
john" and he well deserved the title
his wash-tub appearance seemed to
cate that he was filed to the neck
could sigh, and pity the unfortunate
so Young, beautiful aud innocent, and
chained to such drunken sot, and
mother Of sweet bluc,eyed babe.
the thought that its father was an in
ate, seemed to STING her heart with