Huntsville gazette., 1881-12-03
One week sly Rail.
ST Decatur. Chat with Fred Doua-
lass, Something about Memphis and
Memphis DeoDie
LETGUToN AIo Nov %


en- track of tie II. 4 G. r. r. between
HUNTSVILLE and Memphis In ordinary
times like rliese our good neighbors
Ieitizens of the various liGtlez-t wns a.
long the route lie down to rest at night
and get up to work by day; others,
wealthier but no hetter, set apart "a
greater portion of their time Tor rest
and pleasure. while still another Glass
spend their days in idleness and their
nights IN dissipation. Every town is
supplied with saloons, yet none are
without churches. FHe church and the
saloon, What bloody chasm grows
daily between them. Evidently wlfis-
key is the hydra headed monster which
the devil has devised to'confront Chris
tian progress. And with what ruinous
results to the happiness of the hnnan
family can never be told. Ii the church
wants to beard the lion of sin in his
den it must mass all OF its forces against
the saloons and wage war without quar-
ters. One of tue sadlest 81 : hts I've
wituessgd Was young farmer, return
ing home after marketing his crop.
beastly drunk aild gleefully holding up
an empty flask, tie contents Of witch
he had swallowed, buying his own ruin
and disgrace by the sweat and toll OF
many days labor.
How much better and ennobling il
would have been for this yeung man
to have spent his money ior some good
book or in subscribing for a newspaper:
Yet, geherolly, such men ars the first
to declare that they are not able TO
spend money for books and papers. Not
able Todress their minds. but quite will
ing to spend money TO delorm and weak
en- tie soul and body.
But TO return to a pleasurable subject.
iound Decatur wearing its usual as
pect of quictuess and prosperity when
arrived there Tuesday, just one week
ago to-daY. Notwithstanding the CO.
pious rain tall, aie1 Hooded the town
during nay shor. y, my visit was
made most agreeable by courtesies ex-
tended by many 1Irs, Banks, Mrs.
Cchandies Mr.. Chardavoyne, and II. Y.
Cashin. 1t may not he out Of the way
to say just mere, that Mr.. Cashin, al
though he has filled several important
Offices in the State, is young man and
destined TO make his mark III the future
history of Alabama. lie won a good
reputation as a practicing lawyer at the |
Montgomery bar. As route agent he
stands No. |. His ability and efficiency
fit him for much better position than
he now holds, and despite his color, his
merit must ere long cause his promo
tion.
Taking the train Wednesday At Deca-
tur for Courtland, in passing through
the boxes we espied the venerable form
of the Hon. Fred Douglass comfortably
seated in the rear coach. He was aII
acquaintance in the family Of Mr. Cash
in at Philadelphia, and lie made Us
know y. Mr.. Douglas was on his way
TO Memphis, Tenn, where he was en-
gagged for a lecture the following night.
lie expressed him elf as we'll satisfied
with Es reception along his route
observed a decided improvement III the
condition Of the colored people since his
lastvisit South. He made frequent ref
erence to his whitened locks and urged
that the time had come for young men
to 90 tothe front. He prophesied that
there weuld be a general movement in
the South in political circles after the
manler Of the Malone party in Virginia.
The Democratic party would be split,
aua the Republicans and disafecte
Democrats wonld form new party aUd
hold together III AL local elections. IA
national contests the new party would
support the Republican nominees.
Mr.. Douglass laughed 1T the uewsp4-
per statement that he was worth 800 n
900, but was careful not to give an esii-
mate of his possessions. Referring to
his recently published autobiography
he regretted til 7 The Publishers had
lixelsthe price at S2,50-an exorbitanl
price for poor people. AT Courtland.
On taking leave Of him and bis accom-
panying friend, AR, A. $, Jones. Of tht
Post-otiice Department. they expresset.
hearty wishes for the prosperity OF the
GAZETTE. with which journal they were
familiar. Although near seventy, Mr
Douglass appears in excellent health
vigorous and hearty.
At Cou,eland Ifell into the hands ot
Mr.. Z. I. Logwood, the welI-known
merchant,r;Any one who has cuce en
joyed the hospitality OF Mr., Leywooa
and his Interesting family, VIII ever re-
eur 70 it as one Of biz pleasantest mem
ories. Mr., James DePriest, the cIeve
agent OF the GAZETTE, contributed to
make ny visit spleasant. His man,