Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-04-02
TEMPERANCE IN CONGRESS.
ADDRESS or M. coLFAx.

Ma. PREsrDsyr, LADIES AND GENrLEMIs
The President of this society solicited me
day or two ago to speak 1t this 6rst meeting
Of the Congressional Temperance Society,
and although tried to decline, yet, when be
pressed the argument upon me that every
one should be ready 70 give reason for the
faith that is in him, duty seemed to require
that | should speak to you, though il viii be
but briefly. Why should We not speak for
such csuse-not banded together for hor-
ors, for Office, for wealth or fame, but TO
Plead affectionately in behalf Of hundreds OF
thousands Of worse than orphan children,
like those you have Just listened to, "Dea
father come home" Ny devotion 10 this
cause, aud my interest in il, dates back fur.
Their than the signing Of any written pledge.
Ny mind turns back to>night from this bril-
liant audience in this council hall of the na-
ton to scene over twenty years ago, whom
FIRST stepped on the Threshold of manhood.
stood BY the death-bed ola young friend
Of the same temperament, Of the same hab-
its, associations aad surroundings Is myself,
in that Western State to which had emigra-
ted, and there witnessed that saddest Of oil
scenes, his soul tearing itself away from the
clay tenement which encased it amid the wild
rawlings and agonizing shrieks Of that most
terrible and fearful o. all diseases, delirium
sremess. Fighting imaginary reptiles and
demons, impTecating the name Of his Crea
tor, bis soul passed away. And there, ct
his desth>bed resolved, God being my help.
er, never TO follow in the road that both Of
US had trodden up to that time, but on which
he had advanced so much more rapidly than
myself Applause This demon, insstiate
in its demands, ends its victims everywhere
the CITED - well Is the illiterate-the
powerful - well - the humble-the honosa.
bic - we'll - the debased; and sometimes,
- though, like Death. loving shining mark,
you end his trail in the forum Of jurist, in
the national halls Of legislation-aye, even
in the sacred desk. The young man Just
starting out on the pathway of an active life,
the middle aged, with his mind ripened and
natural, and even the venerable man, totser,
this Unsuitable mons er. IL is we'll, .shere-
fore, that ve should organize against him.
More destructive than hostile army ravag.
ing your land, for that strikes but 1t the
lie Of your body, while this strikes ct The
life Of your soul. Most especially wise, tlo,
70 organize here; for, il anywhere in this
broei land. the assembled Senators and Rep
resentatives who are here in these halls 10
legisIate for all the best interests Of shis eou.
tinental domain, washed BY the two greet
oceans Of the globe, with the millions now
within our jurisdiction, and the mil ions who |
are yet TO come when we have passed away |
here should they have clear heads and |
sober minds. And, sir, am proud 70 say
that from that chair for days. weeks, months,
and even years, looking into the faces Of my |
here, say, before God and |
my fellow-men, that in the twelve years OF |
pubic service in this Capitol I have never
'een less intoxication dishonoring this Hall |
han in tbs Congress which Is now closing.
Applause. But, sir. as this monster sweeps
IN in his horrid triumph he gathers his tro>
phies evesywl ere. Go out into the broad
and with me, and look upon them. You will
ind them ia the squalid novels bereft Ofevery
,omlot. Yon will find them in starving, de-.
itute, dependent families. You will find
hem in that ever-moving, never-cessing pro-
session going TO the, unhappy drsnkard's
rave; in the poor houses thoughout our
and in the penitentiaries, where the victim.
branded by the very society that allowed
i'm to be lured 70 his fall, atones with shaw.
n head and felon gsrb for the crime be
cmnitted under the influence of intoxica.
ion. You will find its trophies on the gal.
'ws, With the victims hanging between hSs-
IN and earth, ~ il not ct Tor either; and,
ID - oil the rest, in the darkensd intellects
( those Who survive. III had but single
ord % say 70 the young before closed,
'ould remind them Of that striking ssa ark
Pythagoeas, the 0smias ssgs, Who ssid
ut The psfhs f virtue snA xss WV Ike !!