Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-07-12
CRIMSON DINNERS.

'i"i cHnlson uinner Everything WAS
crimson. The table.cloth had crimson
border, and all the dHhes were Of crimson
glass or china Silver to the amount OF
tlO,OOO was displayed in various articles OF
luxury The dining-hal was hung with
draperies, and the table was olnamented
with howers-Rll Of the snme prevailing
crimson hue The journal of fashion con.
rludes It's narrative by stating that, when
The gentlemen were left to their VINE and
cigars, some of them concluded that they
must keep up the crimson feature of the en-
iertainment, and accordingly partook so
deeply of the ruby wine TINT their faces
became flushed TO crimson Color The
journalist does not see Ct to toll US whether,
on the return of these cornwall guests to
their homes, any of their wives faces were
crimsoned with modification, or whether
thore were any eyes that night that were
red with weeping
OF the names of the fashionable hostess
and her guests we are utterly ignorant Nor
should we venture ON the indelcacy Of al.
ludlng to an entertainment in private man.
sion, except from the TACT that the descrip.
ton of Il has been already ,oidely published.
and the narrative gives fitting opportunity
for us to offer frank, courteous and solemn
protest to the iadies OF our country, against
their participation in the fearful business of
manufacturing sober men into tipplers and
sots. We do not for n moment question the
lanai rtUht n ia1 itna or
the crimson dinner TO offer to her guests
just such an entertainment as she choose !;
nor do we question the kind intention of her
sumptuous hospitality. We do not doubt
that all the ladies who furnish wines and
other intoxicants at weddings and at social
parties have no other purpose than to display
generous liberality and to minister to the
enjoyment of their guests They do not
intend to rum a single man, or to break a
single heart, or TO destroy single soul
But alas how often
"Bvil Ia wrought ny want OF thought
| As we'll rs by want Of heart"
The plain and practical question which
we wish now TO present TO our readers Is
this Has any lady moral right 10 offer,
even with the kindest motive, recognized
and destructive intoxicant to the husbands,
fathers and sons of her neighbors' families :
This Ia the question which we raise; and we
do so as Christian minister, "aet for the
defense Of the gospel and of public morali.
ty. We raise the question In purest kindness
10 women themselves, rs well as to the men
whom they are thoughllessly tempting to
inebriety and rum II cannot be pleaded in
behalf of ladies that they do not know the
fascinating atlractiveness or the Intoxicating
qualities Of the drinks they offer; they know
all this quite too well ltcannot be pretend
ed that they do not understand the shame
the woes and the wretchedness OF drunken
mesa and the drunkards home. Too many
millions Of their own sox have drank thi
bitter cup of domestic agony for any of then
pretend to ignorance on this point. Ladies
: you do know that he liquors you furnish Il
your gucsls arc deadly poisons when used t.
excess; you do know the danger of iallinl
into that excess; you do know that wine i
mocker, aud that it stingeth like serpent
you do know that, when You present thi
! exhiarA'ng and deceittlll glass to mlscel
laneous company, II is liable TO excite or Il
b strengthen an appetite that may ruin som
! husband or son who is as dear TO his kin
dred MS yours are TO your own heart. Yo
understand perfectly well that the ''crimson
hue that often dyes the countonances q
your guests is produced by the contents q
o your ensnallng glass You understand, toe
that the drinking usages Of society destro
their millions; and when you offer liquor
q to your guests, YOU deliberately endorse an
4 confirm these dangerous usages. Drunken
A ness is crimsoning the land with shame
and IL the blood of all the tempted and til
lost is found in the skirts" OF their temp
= ers, may there not be terrible stain {
: crimson found in your garmentsy
We do not present this question in thl
way Tor any sensational " or dramati
6 effect In sober, sad earnest we make th
protest; and in behalf of innumerabe temp
i ed husbands, in behalf of uncounted yOun
1t men, we implore you TO desist from IL
practice of putting the cup of sorcery to Il
ID lips Of your guests. You are morally respoi
o. sible for the effects of the intoxicating slim
re lauts you provide for others. If 'wine NAL
re your brother stumble Gas the apostles hapT
phrase has IT'D then he stumbes over 20,
e. If lie stumbes at last into drunkard
or grave, You were one OF those who put ii
10 stumbling, block directly across his pat
n, His sin is fearful; hut you are guilty to
en- Both the one who oilers an intoxicant OIL
the one who partakes Of 1t are accomplic
an in the crime OF drunkenness. And it mi
aa ,sN debauch themselves with the occurs
~ cup, let them seek for il in the dram-shoI
40 but do not turn your parlors into drinkin
saloons or put your hospitable table on p
. with the counter of tho grog seller.
~ Perhaps you may be startled If we intol
- you that sven your own sex have not escl
~ ed entirely the perils of this "crlmsou
~ Temptation. Women, as well as men, are
be found in the ranks of inebriation. Y
have known melancholy cases of slavery
lp' the decanter in the highest circles Of fa
W. ionabe female society Not only in tel
'ne ment. houses, but in brown.stone mansion
wv has the appalling sight OF drunken iOom
en' thornble combinaiionD been seen more Il
DO oncel The Hon. Mr., Dodge said lately i
public meeting that on the previous even
'lo' he had passed an elegantly dressed won
ur' on Murray Hill, rsslin9 upon the side'wa
org NV excellent neighbor, DR.. d, E. Smith,
ing inst published thrilling volume Of rem
you jscences, entitled Leaves from a Physcla
row Journal" One of the most graphic chap
yer 80. ,,;,,,,.,, ,r hsautifnI and accomnlls