The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-21

"who art thou great mountain before Zerubbable
thou shalt become plain and he shall bring forth
the headstone thereof with shoutlngs, crying grace,
grace, unto it."-Bi6ie.
l found myself one fine morning at an
early hour, in the midst of an extensive and
beautiful plain which was covered as far as
the eye could extend with alternate green,
and richly variegated flowers. The carol OF
the birds was enchanting, for all nature was
rejoicing in the verdure and freshness of
Spring. / stood for some moments lost in
admiration, when suddenly raising my eyes,
I beheld Immediately before me lofty noun
tain, whose bleak and desolate appearance
contrasted strangely with the unparalleled
beauty of the surrounding landscape. |
seated myself to contemplate it. Owing to
the sterility of the soil, which was composed
of moral degradation, no signs of vegetation
were perceptable; delicate plants which l
had observed thriving luxuriously on the
plain, viz: the little evergreen of Benevo-
lence, and those beautiful but fragile flowers
Love and Domestic happiness, had long since
been totally exterminated. Notwithstanding
this, multitudes of human beings were con-
gregated there, and multitudes were ap-
preaching in the same direction, though at
various distances; some advancing slowly
and somewhat cautiously, others with rapid
strides, as if drawn along by supernatural
agency. At the top in filthy habitation,
and literally enveloped in smoke and steam,
presided the evil genius Of the mountain,
old King Alcohol, surrounded by his atten-
dants Appetite, Passion, Revenge, Malice,
Envy, Jealousy, etc. The minutia of the
person of his majesty, | cannot now des-
cribe, though would beg leave to correct an
error of his biographers who have uniformly
represented him as a hydra headed monster,
whereas, in justice to the numerous yotaries
who have so long worshipped at his shrine,
we must admit that he possesses uncommon
personal attractions which are increased
rather than diminished by age; but the sin
gular activity of his prime minister, mea-
ger, deformed dwarf called Self Interest, par
ticularly attracted my attention. Heregulat
ed commerce and kept up lively intercourse
between the head quarters of his master and
certain dark, polluted caves which were in
terspersed throughout the mountain. Sc
constant was his attendance at these places
and so chilling was his breath to the atmos-
phere that m-heartcd Philanthropy and
white-robed Charity could not exist within
their precints. But when observed streams
Of pernicious influence emanatihg from then
and uniting, form deep riverwhich flowing
rapidly down the mountain threatened to in
undatc the plain, | exclaimed with intense
anxiety If something is not speedily done
to stay the progress of this vast evil, this
elysian region, upon which the God of nature
has layished blessings in abundance, will
be devastated, and become bye-word an(
reproach to all nations. But Hope reani
mated me on beholding company Of soldier,
collecting apparently with the intention o
throwing off the yoke of the tyrant and in
vading his dominions. soon perceived
however that they were indiffcrcntly eauipe,
for such "a contest, some Of them being armed
only with brick bats cast them indiscrimi
whic.at the wretched victims of Alcohol
upon them, Of producing salutary effec
In the muddy soil o. ). r sink them deepe
ca s.,anss,y a'sv, impregnated with the
stran nonntain. No sooner vs. Il
fas,a a,aata,o :, @ aprri.ed Of the arrival Of =,
p0.sn 'vaanss than his principal attendant =
titc, was dispatched uhaSs