The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1874-01-02
A rHR1IILna AND TRUE STORY.

We commend the following article
from the Rutland VT. Herald, to the
pcrusaI of all our readers, but espe-
cially those who think they can take
an occasional drink without becoming
drunkards. We know the statements
Of the Herald, in regard to the great
talents Of Mr.. Yates, to be strictly
true:
On Thanksgiving day, there died
in 81 Louis, a man who had stood
upnn the ,opmost round Of human
usefulness, as web as in the front
rank Of promise for he first place IN
his country's fame. Twelve years
ago. no man had better prospects bo-
| fore him than Richard Yates, the war
gotefnmof the great State Of Illinois.
Thursday last his absent spirit has''
~ took its flight from its drunken
and besotted tenement, ending lie
whose brightest hopes and brilliant
promise had been wrecked upon the
terrible shoals of in,cmperance.-
The death few years ago Of the
brilliant aud accomplished James Nc
| DougaIl, Of California, the keeneat
and most eloquent member OF tho
United States Senate, ever STOOD as
warning before the vision OF Rich,
ard Yates, bat with all his powers OF
will and reason, with the perfect con
troll Of logic and all the culture Of the
schools. he could not master his
yearning appetite, and he now 'akeS
His place in the drunkards ignoble
grave, side by eide with sparkling
| inebriatc McDougali. whom he re
| sembled so much in his abilities and
learning; whom he exceeded IL h,S
opportunities for 'ame and useful,
ness, and whose diagraceful fall and
humiliation he 50 closely initiated.
From 1860 10 1866, if any person
had inquired who was the rising man
of the West, that had the brightest
future before him, there would have
been but little hesitation in the reply,
that Gov. Yates cmphatically that
man. He was well stocked with
brains; his mind was stored with
useful knowledge, kind heart and
pleasing manners, tho voice and hn-
NOR Of a great orator, the ntuitlons
of a statesman, were all his. lie
was thorough good fellow, with no
visible reason why his life should not
be a perfect round Of success and
glory. 70 be sure he INDUCED very |
moderately in wines and liquors; but
not enough to attract attention. tie
connected tbs affairs Of his State
through the dark days Of the rebel
lion with remarkable sagacity, and
gave Illinois a proud reputation in
the rebellion. His discrimination OF
men and their fitness for places OF
public trust led him clear Of all mis-
takes in selecting public servants and
his associates to perform the ardnous
duties before him. 1t was this app
pteeiation OF merit on the part OF
Gov. Yates that led him to select an
obscure clerk in his Adjutant Gener
ais office for Colonel of the Dist Hi
nois Infantry, and gave to tho coun
try the commander that conquered
peace and now occupies The Presi
Dental chair. The public admins
tration of this Governor was almost
absolutely free from mistakes, and
his praise resounded through the ma
ton.
For six years, from 1865, to 1871,
Yates represented his State in the
United States Senate. His drinking
habits had grown upon him, and tho
moderate indulgences of his former
life held him in vice that he could
not break from. lie saw his danger
too late. The net Of fate was about
lin, aud from the brilliant orator,
accomplished statesman and Chris
tian gentleman, he rapidly rushed
down the road TO ruin, and became
hidoous, imbccile drunkard, a dis
grace TO himself and his friends
The people were forced to dismiss
him in disgrace from the public ser
vice whore he had won such an en-
viable reputation, and lost it all
again by his debasing habits OF in
toxication. IIe Was early in life the
husband of noble and accomplished
wife and the loving father of beauti>
ful children, who were the pride of
his life, but bis appetite for drink
became stronger than his ambition
for fame, stronger than his desire for
usefulness, stronger than his love for
his wife and children, and he saori
feed all for the demon of alcohol and
its accompanying ruin, and he lived
a disgraced and broken wreck, and
died as the fool dieth
We have no purpose to say ua>
kind words by the side of the open
grave of Richard Yates. The writer
of this has seen him in the heyday
Of his manhood and glory, surroun
lied by friends and admirers, enjoy
ing tho prestige Of high Office and
popularity with the people and do
mestic felicity that any might envy. |
We have all felt shame in later years
for his degradation, and as he passes
from earth with sullied reputation
and dishonorod name bis life may
well be held mn as warn,,g Ia the /