The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-03-30

richce that will not be without benefit TO
them in daysto come and though, perhaps,
MT Damron has, IN the Jealous perfor-
nance Of his duties as he
saw and understood them, in
some cases overstepped the bounds
OF prudence and failed to exercise that
Judgement which bids one look well be.
fore Ieaping;yet his energy, presuming, of
course that he was actuated only by honor
aOle motives, merits the applause of all
good citizens.
Two pictures, each worthy to be made
TIE theme for an evening lecture by some
temperance advocate, have come under our
observation during the last few days. The
one presented itself to us on Sunday after
noon, when we were lesurely but thought
fully stroIling down Fourteenth street tow
ara washington avenue, secretly enjoying
the beautiful sunshine, the bamy air, the
pleasant chat and laughter of children
| ~ ''''" ~" "''tr, ny tnc way side.
suddenly we became conscious that tn.
grown-up people we passed INDUCED
IN side glances arcoss the way
and IN suppressed giggles and hafuttered
ordinations of surprise, but not pity; and
gIancing in the direction indicated by the
passers-by We noticed two forms, man
and woman, both genteelly dressed, but
bearing the unmistakable signs of drunk.
enness. They had both overstepped the
bounds of temperate life-had looked
upon the temptor too lightly, or, perhaps,
even with feelings of pleasure.
They seemed to enjoy their disgracefu
state as they tottercd, arm in arm, aimlessly
along the sidewalk, until they became
aware that innumerabIe eyes were conferred
upon them, when their steps became more
hurried, but less steady than before, the |
smile upon their faces vanished and flush |
OF shame mounted to their cheeks, which
forces the conclusion that they were still |
conscious Of having violated cardinal
moral law, and that they were not habitual
drunkards. Tins man and woman are.
undoubtedly as able to DIS
tlngush fright from wrong when IN a
sober condition AS they were when their
understandings were dulIcd by liquor:
they had not needed the still small voice
OF warning within, but had drowned il and
their man and womanhoOd in surfet of
sensual pleasure They are not shameless,
but they are morally weak and therefore
they are objects Of pity to many noble
hearted people. The other picture was
also OF young man and woman These
had enjoyed buggy ride and-"a glass or
two The former was respected
citizen and husband and father
the latter was one of the fallen
In the course OF their drive thay entered in ,
10 dispute, became angry and ended up ,
by rough fight. They were arrested.
ned, fined and disgraccd together This
couple were also able to distinguish right
rom wrong; they, too, failed to heed the
'olce within; they, too, drowned il and
heir man and womanhood in sensual IN.
lu'Sehce theY, too, were not shameless,
ut morally weak and therefore they are
ot plttied-but Stunned and dishonored,
n'il they show disposition to redeem I
And who will say
hat this is not rightl Who will
ny that wilIful, deliberate crime should
OF be punished by society as we'll as by
nc law, according to its enormity2 But
my do some we will say few, of cur
God people draw such a dividing line,
etween the two pictures of crime above
resented: Why do they turn from the
nc with Ioathlng and meet the other with
tear dimmed eye and heart swelling with
we! Perhaps no responsibility no So
lame attaches to the person, who wllful-
'''' h"''i''Siy pCtDHlCS u sldNC w HIS
ppetite and for time sinks to the level of y
brute as certainly does to him who also i,
nowingly and wiliulIy becomes slave TO OF
is passions and also sinks to the level ia
the brute, perhaps it is right that drum at
cnness should call forth sympathy and n
lat lechery should be (and rightfuly) en-
as a hcinous, almost unpardon- co
Die sin Yet both are the result of a is
eak morality though, probably, in diff t nu
rent degree, and the former has not even be
&c slightest basis in physical nature. Per- y,
bps it is right to ostracise the man who tic
lis liquor, to spurn him and heap upon "
m all the epithets that fertile total alb ga
lhence brain can conceive, but to ~,
eet the man who drinks it till he becomes l.
uhken, with open arms and words of the il
'epest commiseration; perhaps it is right ~
Dlln sh lnpiv,Duono,o ,u;th fno nd prisOD. | moi