Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-17
3aiIp 9enr,ebef 5Onrnal.
Augusta. Monday Honins. Dec. II.
A Temperance Lesson.

mOQO Uy tWO lutOxiC8sc0 u4cA SoAAsoA@
lesson upon Temperance which ought to
make . lasting impression wherever the
facts are known. It is often said that
temperance speakers exaggerate the evils
Of intemperance. but in the face Of such
chapter Of blood and outrage as that 10
which we refer, it seems to be impossible
to depict the evils that follow intempN
ance in too strong colors.
Two men, converted by strong drink
into fiends, enter humble home in one
of our pleasantest towns, outrage wo-
man, murder an unoffending old man who
FASTENED to defend his wife against the
assaults of the Infatuated brutes, and
would probably have committed
other acts of outrage and murder upon
neighboring families. had not the terrified
people fed and escaped the clutches OF
the monsters. To-day those men are con-
fined by strong bolts and bars in the cells
for criminals Of the deepest dye in the
Kennebec county Jail. there TO lie until
they are removed to be tried by the Su-
preme Court tor murder, the penalty
for which is hanging by the neck until
they are dead. But for the imbibing OF in
toxicating liquors these crimes would not
have been committed. But for this that old
man whose life was savagely taken
would now be living quietly at
home with his wife. following the humble
occupation by which he obtained a iiveli-
hood; while the men who perpetrated
those dreadful deeds would be free. with
no charge of capital crime against them.
instead Of occupying murderers' cells and
awaiting trial the result OF which may
be 10 end their lives upon the gallows.
This Is no sketch of the imagination.
It is the unvarnished truth. The picture
is not colored in the least degree above
the reality. Indeed il does not describe
in full the terrible scenes connected with
the awful tragedy. There is no need OF
sxsggeration. A recital of the simple,
main facts of the case are sufficient to
strike with horror anybody with spark
of humanity in his breast.
To men who follow the business of
selling ardent spirits this tragedy speaks
with trumpet tongue. In this they read
the effects of their traffic as plainly as
they can read in the statutes that the sale
of intoxicating drinks is forbidden by the
laws OF the State. If the maddening
drink had not been supplied to these men
they would not have committed the crimes
for which they are to suffer. They say
the liquor crazed them and they did not
know what they were doing. The poison
created fever in the blood that clouded the
brain and set on fire every brutal and he'll
lish passion. The accursed cup overcame
what manhood they possessed andi made
them demons, fit tor the preparation OF
any crime. Those who make it a bust
ness to sell ardent spirits do not need to
be told OF the fearful effects that strong
drink produces. Ii there are any who are
thus ignorant let them visit the house
where this simple old man was murdered
and his wife outraged. consult the neigh
boring people and then ask the criminals
what caused them to do these deeds oil
darkness and horror. There can be but
one conclusion-rum did it. Perhaps it
may be said that the murderers are men
Of low instincts. base passions, bad
men in their best condition. but it WAS
the liquor that quenched the light of what
reason they had and stimulated all their
brutishness into demoniac activity. The
lesson to rum sellers is to stop the traffic
the results of which are murder, rape, and
every other crime. In States where license
lends shade of responsibility to the traffic
liquor sellers may plead this as an apology
for engaging in the business. But in the
State of Maine there is no such excuse.
The traffic is under the ban of the law.
The statutes forbid it and make it
. criminal offence. Public sentiment and
our courts of justice have declared it illeg
al. He who enters into it sins against
light and engages in that which Is unlaw-
AuA 10 Wcli - ucG tautuS W iuuifiuuaiS
and dangerous to the community.
But the lesson of the Richmond horror
is one that comes home to every man, cs-
pecially to those who indulge often or
seldom in the habit of drinking ardent
spirits. No man is safe who partakes of
the intoxicating cup. The habit steals
upon its victims almost imperceptibly.
Very few will admit. even after years of
indulgence, that it has obtained the
mastery over them. 1t is insidious
in its progress. 1t may reduce men
to the gutter, to the most misera-
BILE poverty and Indebtedness. and
yet they continue the habit while exclaim-
ing that they can drink or leave it alone,
and regard as personal enemies those who
interfere to save them IN their down.
ward course. Undoubtedly the Richmond
criminals never supposed that the use of
drink would injure them, or cause them
to commit murder. But nevertheless
they fill to-day murderers' cells. Others