New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-03
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
TEMPERANCE AT,PITTsBURGH.

TEMPERANCE AT PITTSBURGH.
4 REMARKABLE REVIVAL ON THE CRADLE-GRouNp
OF WHISKY 10000 PLEDGEs-THE WORK OF
FRANCIS MURPuY-How WHISKY WAS USED IN
THE OLD DAYS.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The glowing ardor and conviction OF
the early Cough have yielded they generally do to
the influences of wealth, respectability and age. TIE
appeal to his sainted Maria there-and the up there
with It's accompanying gesture and expression thrilled
spinal column OF the youthful listener 10 the mar
rows no longer irresistible The work OF the radical
reforor hardly exterds OF years. for age Is
conservative John Bright begins his pubic life as
Republican, something very near H. ana enus as E"
stanch Monarchst aud the same process now goes on
in Gsmbeta.
There always. however new men to take the place
OF those whose blood grows cold through increasing
years the conservatism that comes with thcm Atlhe
present time Father Mathew and John B. Cough nave
successor Mr.. Francis Murphy, whose iicdof opera
tons iu Western Pennsylvania of which the center is
Pittsburgh. This region OF country, as Will be reco
lected was where the whisky instruction took place.
for the nhabitants-many of whom had Their own SUI
so loved waSky that they pu. it above the law inc
recacitranS only brought TO reason AT the ssn' Vi
Washington troops. The present inhabitants appear W
have inherited of their fathers for 1t doubtful
81 any part population of the United states Is 20
given 10 the abuse of alcohol Between the FORK OF the
Allegheny and the MOnOngehea was born " MohohSe-
hela" which stil remains the most generally USED OF
WHISTLES, and according TO its drinkers, the best
A Silenus OF westmOreland has drawn me picture OF
the bbuous and bucolc life Of sixty years ago AS the
first RAYS of light came from the eastern horizon the
young farmer took his DRAM and, with his bottle under
his arm went jocund the field At intervals OF an hour
or so he left plow the cradle To refresh himself from
the bottle hid away in shady nook. There was TIC dram
at the sound OF the MONDAY horn-the palate tokler
There WAS the same the bottle in the after
AGAIN The nall &
ticker before supper and tins repast was followed by
several nocturnal drains the uudst of general Joy
Young men and madens were rosy with health and fu
OF mirth word, the ancient bb5r thought the gen
eral aspect like bouquet Of flowers. The appear
pnce, however of this elderly witness w:avoruhle
10 his testimony. He had that familiar face
with the evcr-burning nose with which Teners
has made us famar-the burning nose. which
radates in the center of Flemish interior. with pipe
and bottle aduncs Besides, retrospective views oil
old men, regards customs generally roSeatc, ana
to them present is not often equal to The past The
old man would mi, that his drink was injurious to
the mind or the body sign OF the boodred rose
which hoomcd in the center his failed to change
his opinion he adding that Locality of the color-sp"
matt Of taste; some preferred IL on the chec"
he liked ID inst : well OF the nose
In his battle-ground of wniskJ in the fork Of the
rivers hes Mr. MGiihr been working ince The beginning
Of November with much energy lie l. Oh the To.tiun
night and day. PERHAPS seven OF ei.h 1ouS oIi OF S
or SO miles of Pittsburgh There from - to 20 what
are called Murphy meetings every evening IN INC cry
Of The :" SlnIsh overflow" These ore all conducted
under Tn" auspices ana INSPIRATION ~ MN Whoes HinS
ever met with his Fucccss in tbs locality. lie vii!
eventually gravate to Ncw-YOrk, and It remains 10 "c
seen whether the results VIII follow his visit there
II they DO Mr. Murphy Is assured ~ reputation as
temperanro rctormer equal to that OF amer MateW,
In The CtCs o. Pittsburgh and Allegheny ana thoir
suburbs he has far obtained about 10000 picdSCs ana
Among he plclgrs are several men distinguished for
ability a bar and in journalism, aud tins has gwen
would not possess end has contributed much to It's snc
cess. The antrcodcnts OF Mr. murphy are few aud
prlz fighter but This appears 10 be mistake albeit as
Mr. Murrhy took occasion 10 exnlan. he had 9i|a[s
known how defend himself" Although he did not
,b ri hp Sa 10 90 y snc them liano in BARRON Tor
he a kent nj p pnSG house in Portlnd Ne He drank
well as sold and this brought ruin 10 the publican out
OF the miscr, ana poverty he emerged
thu ri Of refoi and the burden OF his talk Is bis
story in which he turns calcium llsh on ms Owl
heart and reveals personal details that most men would
regard AZ sacred secrets
in addition TO the and night meetings Of the
week, thCe g Ouo in thcaicr every S,hu', evnlht'
for which admission Is charged the sum thuS
obtained being used to deiray general XpIns,S ion 7e s
cal police has been sworn III bv inc M)ol To htp us
ortcrly persons of the meetings. ana weekly news
paper Laa bee started devoted to the cause winch Nj
Murphy represents poiiilciGu known uihg ms Ion,
greSSiOna days for unusual cOOesS of the head arose on
OF the temperance question: was moving heaven ana
earth. and this gives far Indication OF ths
state Of the Whlic mind The Euhiec IL has borrowed
Of the aduGctS Of success inausuated by dess!S
Moody ard Slnkey In the way Of "Swrt singers OF Is
rael and emotional songs such Ring the Bells OIL
Heaven" Hold tie Fort" Ninety and Nlno' ana
When the converts relate their personal experience in
accordance with Mr. Mdrpby's pan The elects M oCca
siOrally CrOt squo. man with . luh"u> bright cIu
son nose rises say Tint cost him $4,000 TO bllng
that brilliant feature to its present candiiloh. Anotntf
rises read letter from his sister, concerning MS "
proved personal appearance since his cOn' elSoh one
rCcitcs . poem called The Druukard's Wife, whlCh
causes some uncasness, the impression beng pfoDapy
that this establishes dangerous prcCecCHt aho'nei
ti'2uks God for it, There are besides, the weeping
srcakers Their chief MI. Murphy, appaudS them rom
f5mp 10 time with his hands, and Keeps mp running
commentary of "God bless you" and " AIncE.. BE
tween the speeches he goes about the Iaf0I uhctos
and smiling 10 shake hands with this ana that dear
brother" 100000, IT,. -,
IN sOme cases tie excitement has developed INTO hys
teri1 osppciay In the lower classes. 10 whom the dlc
toms % the revival arc powerful Instances alC Occur
ring where men show disposition 10 shrk WORK ~ c'u
10 attend etngs. one OF these sad 10 u e'ior
Of IN. movements Z" have situation UncIeu me ia an
give mn these meetings which seem with the Lords
ri, o., l,o of IN u,ucl use" ALBERT RHODES.
PiRsJUgh, Penn, Jan. %, 1877.