Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-27

is so narrow that but one vessel can pass
through at time. To this day the "Chain
Rock" bears the traces of the iron barrier
which protected the harbor from the American
and French cruisers. However Anticipated
such contrivances may be deemed, it is ques-
tionable if any modern appliance could be
used for their destruction, when protected by
even minor defensive works at either end.
At the south end Of the room is glazed frame
containing other more interesting relics of
the same eventful period Of our history.
There are the documents found concealed in
the stockings of Major Andre, on his capture.
To the present day feeling of sympathy is
entertained for the enthusiastic young soldier
who suffered the most ignominious death, in
the cause of his sovereign. Along with these
are four passes for "Joshua Smith" the man
who brought Andre ashore from the ''Vul-
ture," sloop of war, signed "B. Arnold M.
General" two of them bearing dates cath
and 25th Sept. 1850 subsequent TO the cap
ture of Andre, and showing that Arnold was
endeavoring to carry out his scheme ignorant
ments in this collection refer to the force of
men and armament of the forts around West
Point, giving minute details of each. These
are dated Sept. 9TH, 1879, and signed by J.
Banman, Major Commanding Artillery, indca-
ting the official nature of the information be-
ing bartered by the British. An ornamental
stand encloses six swords of Major General
Worth. Some Of these have seen service in
war, whilst others are costly presentation
weapons, jeweled and ornamented elaborate
ly. The most costly of the curiosites in the
room is the original and only draft Of the
Emancipation Proclamation of Lincoln, bear
ing date Sept. 22nd, 1862; this cost by pur-
chase, for the library, $1,000.
Just at present anything tending however
remotely towards the cause of temperance,
must possess much interest, and how very
eficacious should not declaration be, when
backed by thirteen of the men chosen by this
tie nation? Indeed l question if similar
names could be found appended to any docu-
ment in addition to the one of which the fol-
lowing is copy, framed and exhibited in this
library: ''Being satisfied from observation
and experience as well as from medical testi-
mony, that ardent spirits as drink is not
only needless but hurtful, and that the entire
disuse of it would tend to promote the health,
the virtue and the happiness of the communi-
ty. We hereby express our convictions that
should the citizens of the United States and
especially the young men discontinue entire.
y the use of it., they would not only pro-
mote their own personal benefit but the good
of our country and the world. James Madi-
son, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson,
Martin Van Buron, John Tyler. James Knox
Polk. Zachary Taylor, Willard Fillmore,
Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham
Lincoln, Andrew johnson, Ulysses Simpson
Grant Thus endeth one Of the most express
sive documents in favor Of temperance. /
would that a copy of it be framed and in every
household and on every public post in this
city, for no city is more needy of reform in
that direction than this aristocratic (by repu-
tation) old Dutch city. | have servant girl
who is like many of them, stupid, but a deveut
christian. The other day she was looking
out on the street and seeing man Keeling along
the street, said she, "Mrs. do you know
that | never finish my prayers at night with
out praying that all the rum shops may be
burnt up before morning, and all the men
that sell rum in them | must say that in
all my travels, never saw city in the east
ern or middle states, where a certain class
pay as little regard to the law as here. There
is law prohibiting the sale of liquor on the
Sabbath, but no attention is paid to it, and
Sunday is more like an election day than the
christian Sabbath. Six liquor houses stand
in row opposite the window at which am
writing, two of them wholesale houses, three
common retail saloons; one of them rejoices
and reigns under the aristocratic title "Mo-
Fart" Narieties-open every evening, and
can vouch for it being open Sunday nights.
This Mozart Varieties is no other than con-
cert saloon where female performers delight
the audience by singing low ballads and
dancing dressed in as near to nothing as can
much as mother Eve did. No admission fee
is charged, but every one is supposed to freely
patronize the bar. On the whole as near as
| can judge, these places are not intended to
improve the morals or minds of the men,
young or old, who nightly make them their
resort. What would more shock some of the
staid State of Maine people. than to cit by
window after church and look into a drinking
saloon and see them drinking and shaking
dicet l guess they would think this second
Sodom. But there are very many points of
interest here, and good society, but the in
tluence on the coming generation is truly
fearful. Next week l will tell you of the
new State House, for which Maine has thus
far furnished the granite, and many other
things | cannot mention now.
WERNER.