Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-04-28

the sympathleS OF tne company the
ice was broken. Mr.. Mursell, sweating
at every pore, regained his seat amid
great applause and many fluctuations.
After this. the young people executed
jigs, clog dances &c. to which succeed
ed variety Of comic and sentimental
songs. Several Of the performers had
very good voices, and sung with taste
and precision.
Before entering Mr.. A. had warned
Mr.. Mursell: Take care what you
say to those unfortunates they are
sometimes touchy, and might play you
a nasty trick" After a few guarded
words from Mr. A. and the writer. the
Vice President called upon our rever-
end friend for speech. We knew that
he was not man to be easily frighten-
ed or to recoil before danger when it
lay in the path of duty. We therefore
awaited the result with interest.
well" replied our reverend friend,
II would rather sing a song than iniiict
a pumber of harsh truths upon you"
So saying he sang ballad with eN-
cellcnt effect, and ended amid tumultu-
Gus applause, and cries of "A speech !.
speech Rising amid general silence,
Mr.. Mursell spoke as follows:
IL thank you for your invitation
here this evening. In addressing You
my only fear is that l may be tempted
to speak too freely. and so violate the
rights of hospitality. In your letter
of invitation there occurs 4 phrase
whose candor greatly admire. I'VE
do not profess 10 be honest" |, gen.
tleman. make procession Of being
honest. and if must speak. must
honestly say what think. hear some
one say this is Liberty Hail. and that
can talk frankly without fear Of Of
Tending company accustomed 10
different language. In any case, if
express myself with too much frank
ness. let me know. and | shall stop
] merely ask you 10 be good enough
to try the effect of moral argument up
on me before pitching me out of the
window. (Cries of "say on, say op.")
The courtesy which You have shown
me this evening does not diminish the
horror with which regard your mode
of life. and although | am happy to
find myself in the midst of men capable
of exhibiting kindness, cannot forget
that the ruling principle of your life is
4 principle of cowardice. The endur-
ancc of which you boast is that of a
yagabond dog. and the bravery which
YOU effect is that Of coward
At this point cries of dissent, min
glcd with oaths, became audible, and
fists were clcnched in the immediate
vicinity OF Mr.. Mursel. who quietly
resumed his seat. Alter the tumult
had somewhat subsided Mr.. Mnrsell
arose and resumed ;--"Gentlemen. l
do not wish To add anything TO what !
have already said. if you oppose it, but
after having called YOU towards. | cx-
pcct that YOU will COMPEL me To prove
my declaration, and that should fail
YOU will kick me out of the room Let
him speak. let him speak. Running
his eye calmly over the meeting, Mr..
Mursell continued - call that man
a coward who seeks To eyade those
conditions common TO every man who
is called TO take his part in the battle
Of life. Each one ought to work for
himself, and not to live at the expense
of others
III is a cowardly trade that robs the
honest laborer Of the fruits of his toll,
which preys without distinction on rich
and poor, and which remorselessly
attacks alike the feeble and the strong.
Do not presume to apply those grand
words of bravery, boldness or courage
to your mode Of living. Some Of you
have complained of the cruel treatment
to which you haye been subjected in
prison. and have exhibited marks Of
the treadmill and of penal discipline
in the shape of swelled limbs and dis
colored muscles. Is there either cour-
age or dignity in claiming the sympa-
thy of honest men for punishment
which you owe to Your own vices !:
Would you not despise me if ! pretend
ed for single moment TO sympathise
with your sufierings: l declare to your
face that thank the policeman who
captures you. the magistrate who tries
you. the jury that condemns you, the
prison which Furnishes you"
Astonishment, rage and fury, might
be read by turns on every countenance,
but no one thought Of interrupting the
orator, who continued his discourse
with unabated firmness and frankness.
A quarter Of an hour elapsed, and the
attention of the thieves continued un-
diminished.
IL do not flatter myself with the
foolish hope,' said Mr.. Mursell, ''of
making any profound impression upon
you, or of leading you to better frame
of mind. / know that no words of mine
will be able to separate you from a
mode of life so deeply rooted in your
nature but if | turn from you with
sighs and anguish of heart, it is with
a feeling Of hope that address myself
to these unhappy mothers"
The speaker had remarked from the
first words of his discourse, that his
bold remarks had been received with
an expression Of gratitude by the fe.
male portion of his audience. Turning
to them he continued:
'You press your infants to your
breasts, and see from the tenderness
with which you regard the motions OF
the children who play around you, that
you love them as devotedly as any
honest woman can love her offspring
Can you, then, think without shudder
ing that these little ones will soon be
come as corrupt as their fathers! Doe!