The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-04-23

-
voice, although had consented, at your
urgent solicitation, to address this large as
semby to night, yet | have felt so strong q
reluctance to do so that it has been with the
greatest difficulty that dragged myself ior-
ward. Bnt had passed my word and
could not violate it. As to relating my ex.
perience, that do not think upon. The past
dare not recall. Would to heaven that ter
years of my Ii te were blotted out" g.
The speaker here paused a moment, as
ready much Affected. Then with firm voice
he said, ..
"But something must be said Of nina own
case, or shall fail to make that impression
on your minds that wish to produce
pictures of real life touch the heart with
real power, while absent presentments Of
truth glitter coldly In the Intellectual regions
of the mind, and then fade from the percep.
tion like figures in diorams.
Your speaker once stood among the first
members OF the bar in q neighboring State.
Nay, more than this, he represented his coun.
ty for three years in the assembly of the
common wealth; and more than that still, be
occupied seat in Congress for two Congress-
ional periods" .cf..
At this period the stiffness Of death perYa.
ded the crowded assembly.
"And yet more than this" he continued,
his voice sinking into low thr illing tofsi
che had tender wife, and two sweet chill
dren. But all those honors, all those bless.
ings have departed from him." he continued,
his voice growing deeper and louder in bis
efforts to control himself "He was u1wor-
thy to retain them. His constituents threw
him ofbecatse he had debased himself and
disgraced them. And worse than all--she
who had borne him two babes--was forced
to abandon him, and seek an asylum at her
fathers house.
"And why Should Se so changed in 1
few short years2 What power was there to
abase me 80 that my fellow beings spurned,
and even the wife OF my bosom turned away
heart-stricken from me? Alas, my friends,
it was mad indulgence in mockery. A very
demon, curse changing US into the beastsl
But for this, were an honorable and useful
representative in Congress, pursuing after my
country's good. and blessed in the home cir.
Gle with my wife and children. But I have
not told you all; after my wifeseperated from
me, l sank rapidly. A state Of perfect CO.
hriety brought me too many sober thoughts.
ly il ever, fres from the bewitehing effects OF
intoxcatioh. I remained in the same village
several years but never once saw her. For
two years OF the time abandoned myself 10
the fearful impulse ofthe appetite had SC.
quired. had not week OF sobriety during
that time-nor caught glimpse Of my chill
dten. at last became so abandoned in my
habits that my wife, urged on by her friends
filed an application for divorce. And as o
cause could easily be shown why it should be
granted, separation was legally declared. To
complete my disgrace, at the next Congress-
ional canvass was left off the ticket as un.
fit to represent my district. l left the couu-.
ty and State where | had lived from my
boyhoo5 up.
"Then heard CT this movement, the great
temperance cause. At first sneered. then
wondered, hesitated, and fnanally threw
myself upon the great wave that was SWELL
ing onward, in the hope ofbeing carried BY
it far out Of the reach Of danger, and / did
not hope with vain hope. 1t gave me all
and certainly more than could have dream
ed of. 1t set me once more upon my ieet--
once more made man Of me.
! "Three years have passed since the. Ear
nest devotion to my profession, and fefYent
prayer 20 Him who alone gives aid to every
good resolution, have restored to me much
that had been lost but not all--not the rich
est treasure--that proved myself unworthy
to retain; not my wife and my children. Ahi
between myself and these, the Law has laid
its stern impossible Introduction. have no
longer wife, no longer my children, though
my heart goes out toward those dearly oeloY-
ed ones with the tenderest yearnings. Pic
lures OF our early days OF welded love are
ever in my imagination. | dream of the
sweet fire-circle; ever see before me the
once placid face Of my Alice, as her eye look.
cd into my own with intelligent confidence.
feel her arms twine around my neck--the
music of her voice is ever sounding in my
ear"
Here the speakers emotion o7ercame him.
His utterarce choked him, and he stood ST.
lent with bowed head and trembling limbs.
The dense stiffness was broken here and
there by half stided sobs. At this moment
there was movementain the crowd A sim
gle female figure, before whom every one ap-
psared to o.instinctiyely give way, wes passing
up the aisle. This was not observed by De-
lancy until she had come nearly to the plat
form On which he stood. The movement
csught his ear, and lifting his eyes they fell
on Alice; for it was she that was pressing
forward-he bent toward--he bent toward
her with suddenly uplifted hands, and eager
eyes, and stood like statute until she had
gained the stand and advanced quietly to his
side. For moment they stood thus--the
whole audience thrilled with the scene wers
upon their feet and bending forward. Then
MeIanCv onaned hic arms opd AI;ca tbrav
herself apoh his bosom, with quick and Wild
gesture. Thus for the space of minute they
stood--eesry one BY singular intuition uu.
derstanding the scene. Ono OF the ministers
came forward and gently separated them.
"No, no." said Delaney, "they must not
I, You cannot take her away from mel"
Heaven forbid that should do that" 70
piled the minister. "But By your onession
she is not your wife"
"No she is not" replisd Delaney mourn.
fully" +.
'But she is now ready to renew her vows
again." said Alice, smiling through her tears
that now rained over her face.
Before that large assembly, all standing,
and with few dry eyes. was said in broken
voice, the marriage ceremony that gave Do
: lancy and Alice to each other. As the minis
ter an sged man, with thin, white locks
finished the rite, he laid his hands on the
two be had Joined in holy bonds, and lifted
up his aged eyes that streained with drops oil
gladness he said in asolemn voice,
"What God has Joined together, let not
rum put asunder"
q "Amen," was cried by the whole assembly
aswith single yoice.--St. Louis Repabli-
Ifnn