Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-03-12
Watchman. what of the Nights''

Passing along the street the other
day We heard this conversation
"Tom ---is Dead" Indeed" was
the surprised response, 81 had not
heard Of his illness what allied
him Z" The reply consisted Of one
word, Int in it is world Of IN -an-
ing" whisky"
As We went on to our work il oc-
CURED 10 us that this insidious
enemy which had taken oTpoor Tom,
while ye; q young man, was staying
his Thousands annually; but the peo-
/ pie hayC become so accustomed 70 it
that oiiy some sudden case car
arouse their attention.
Here's family overwhelmed with
pove~,y and wretchedness-a wife
broken-hearted. children in rags, sor-
row and darkness gathering around
| them, while he who silaula have been
their head aud support, will so>e fol.
low poor Tom into a hopeless gras>
| What is the matter: Whisky.
There's man who in youth, was
more promising than any Of his com
\ rades, and in early manhood his learn
| ing and genius put him head and
| shoulders above his less gifted com
panious, and marked him as one des-
tined to reach high, if not the top
most round Of honorable fame. But
now that brilliant mind is shattered,
and he who promised to be leader
among men. is scarcely a match for
the dullest boy. What is the matter: !:
Whisky.
Alas, how the love Of strong drink
lays waste the fairest homes, crushes
the tendorest affections, and blasts
the promises Of youth and genius
How it undermines the health, dis
| qualities for business, nourishes bad
principles, fills mp the record Of
crime, and makes chattering idiots or
foul fiends Of those who should have
been help and blessing to man
kind. How it feeds the stream of ig
norance and poverty that pours its
fearful tide around the world, stimu-
lating eysry vile passion aud corrupt
ing the very blood Of the incoming
generation.
Everywhere the passion for intoxi-
eating drinks seems 10 increase. Re-
straints have been removed and
temptations multiplied. Many whose
lips six wears ago had never been de-
fled by whisky or ether fiery com
pound, now toss off their glasses with
the noncha1egsce of confirmed topcrs
and will soon be beyond every rea-
sonable hope OF recovery.
This fearful state of things is be-
ginning to arouse the public mind.
Men and women begin to enquire, al
most bated breath, if there can be
check put upon this burning tide that
/ delages the land. Fathers and moth
ers tremble for the safety Of their
children, and thoughtful people have
gloomy forebodings of the future un-
less something is quickly done to rem
edy the terrible evil.
1t is hopeful sign that some Of
our public men are moving IN this
} matter. Our own State officers have
set noble example. This has been
followed by a Congressional temper
ance society, which has already
among its members some of the FORE
most men of the nation. Gen. Grant,
Speaker Colfax, and other prominent
members Of Washington society, fur.
nish nothing stronger than water OF
lemonade at parties and receptions
given by them.
The old ashingtonian times must
be revived. Drankards must be re-
claimed, moderate drinkers must put
away their cups, and ali good citi-
Gems must unite to bring about this
| indispensable reform. The youth OF
the country must be saved from the
frighttul maelstrom that yawns before
them. tits no small matter that tor
ty or City thousand Of our country
men are going down annually to dis
honorable graves. It is no tr.fing
fact that three-tourths of the pauper-
ism and crime are caused directly or
indirectly By strong drink. 1t is no
light matter that drinking among
Young men has become the rule not
the exception, and that every boy in
the land is exposed to this fearful
vice.
Men and brethren, are not these
things worthy Of thought and action :
Is not time to sound the alarm, and
for every person 10 consider what he
can do to save the country from the
unspeakabie blight and curse Of
drunkenness ?-Burlingtoa Ha,ekeye.