Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-23

Niagara is the sublmest spot on the con.
tinent but almost every year it becomes the
scene Of some new horror that makes the
blood eurdle to read of it. A few weeks
since, it added a new chapter to the ever
growing volume Of the woes Of strong drink
Three young men, who had become intoxicated
to the point Of perfect stupidity, undertook
to cross the Niagara river about three miles
above the cataract. The owner Of the boats
refused to let one Of them, but, by some
means they got boat, and launched out for
the Canadian side
The little skih was soon caught 10 the
swift current of the rapids. A strong and
steady arm alone could save it. The oars
man, who was the nearest sober of the wretch
ed trio. stood up in the boat, aud seeing the
terrible danger, gave a wild shrek and leap.
ed over board to swim ashore The current
was too strong for him. lie bufeted the
fierce rapids for few moments until his lit.
tie strength gave way, and then he was whirl-
ed along hclplessly to the verge, and shot over
the cataract
His two stupefed companions lay asleep on
the bottom Of the boat, and never awoke un.
Ill their afTdghted spirits awoke in eternity.
Their frail boat leaped of the awful cliff Of
waters like bit Of cork and 10 an instant
they were engulfed in the foaming maelstrom
beneath. The next morning a single leg oi
one Of the poor wreiches was picked up OF
/ the Canadian Shore showing that their bodies
must have been dashed to fragments in theil
descent among the rocks below the cataract
| The Word of God describes q drunker
man as "one who ieth asleep on the toI
of a mast in the midst Of the sea. But il
adds a new horror to the picture to lie in the
sleep Of drunken insensIbiiity on the foaminl
edge Of Niagara. Probably the wretcheC
creatures in the boat fancied themselves on
delightful sail rs they swept so swiftly thro
I the waters. They awoke from the enchanting
slumber in the jaws of death
! This terrible tragedy at Niagara is but
/ picture Of the cataract Of ruin over whicl
one Huadred thousand Of our countrymer
we're swept during the last twelve months
Commissioner Wells reports that mmens,
number as going down into the vortex O
death through intemperancen ,cithiH on,
year. How many fathers and mothers hav,
stood on the bank and seen their sons whir
over into the abyss God only knoweth.
But every young man or woman who
playing with the wine-cup is venturing to
wards the rapids. The liquor-sellers furnis
the boats it is their trade to "hire" then
for pleasure excursions" Every youn
man. as he launches into the habit of drink
ing, laughs at the idea of any danger
WHO'S afraid Not :" In little Will
he is helpless on the bottom of the skiff an
shooting towards the brink Of perdition Al
the warning cries Of pulpits, and press, an
parental love cannot awaken him. He
druqged with the dram-selers dose of death
He will wake up when he gets into eternity =
not before.
Sometimes q poor slave Of the bottle see
his danger and like that third man at Mag
ara, jumps out of the boat. But it is to
late. He has gone too far, and the disease {
drunkenness has become incurable Hi wi
has become powerless He cannot contrC
himself The rapids of fatal habit are to
strong for his enfeebled resolution. Now an
then one, by the help of the divine grac'
reaches the shore. Temperance Societies pic
up few strong swimmers, and assist thel
with the rope Of total abstinence pledg
But the vast majority Of habitual drinkers :
orer The falls Young man the first ga
you take is a step into the boat. The voyae
may begin with a song but il may end
the shrek Of a LOST SOUL