Daily globe., 1883-06-17

justices who agreed with him, forever iu.
dicially Infamous, as occupying ground
antagonistic to our common humanity.
and it was with the spirit of that christiani-
ty, for which the Aduonce assumes to be.
set as defender. The tide of infamy will
accumulate on that decision, as enlighten-
ed christian ages roll on. and the attempt
to turn it aside will meet with ignominious
failure, and involve the apologist in the
same measure of infamy, as the utterer
of the lnhuman, heather sentiment.
IHE Rev. Hamilton W. Pierson, D. D..
IN the Independent pays a glowing tribute
to the brilliant genius and eloquence of
the late Hon. Thomas F. Marshall, member
of congress from Kentucky. Tom Mar
shall, was a great orator and a great
drunkard. In the we'll remembered
"Washingtonian temperance movement
of some forty or more years ago, he be-
came "a reformed drunkard," and de-
livered temperance lecture in the city of
New York. OF this lecture DR.. Pierson
gives the following account: II had
listened to and been entranced by his Pc
culiar and marvellous eloquence several
years before I saw and heard him, as l so
often did, in his native state. Some forty
years ago l CHANGED to spend a college va
cation in New York city when it was an
nounced that the Hon. Thomas T. Mar
shall, then member of congress, a re-
formed drunkard who had recently taken
ha T1Io dol
lecture in the old Broadway Tabernacle.
That old, historic building was denseIy
packed, the eager throng drawn thither by
the fame of the young Kentucky orator
and the general excitement at that time
in regard to the reformation of inebriates.
The lecture was one of marvellous power,
and created the profoundest interest. I
will only attempt to recall from memory
single passage. 1t is that in which ne
described the utter horror of his condition
after series of drunken debauches, his
determination to sign the pledge, his going
from desk to desk asking members Of con-
gress in vain where he could find a tenn
perance pledge, until some one said to
him: Go over yonder 70 Briggs, OF Massa-
chusetts, he is great cold water man, and
[ reckon he has got one, if any member
has. And when went to him and told
him what wanted and signed the pledge
that he produced from his desk, he was
such water man that the water gushed
from both his eyes, and ran down his face
in perfect streams 1 do not know that
this incident in the early congressional
career of the then future beloved and hon
| ored Governor Briggs, Of Massachusetts.
has elsewhere found a record. If not, l am
most happy, at this late day, to recall his
cherished memory and lay this wreath
upon his honored grave" DR.. Pierson is
mistaken in supposing that the incident to
| which he alludes had never beea made
public. 1t will be found fully recorded in
the Memoir of Gov. Briggs, page 900. In
speaking of Gov. Briggs labors in the tenn
perance cause the Memoir says: "He did
not Intermit these labors while there was
scope and occasion for their continuance.
1t was early in 1912 that he had the ex-
treme happiness of stretching out his hand
efectually to a brother congressman.
The Hon. Thomas T. Marshall. of Ken
lucky, was so much slave to Incorporate
habits, that there seemed little doubt that
| he would fall a victim TO the maddening
lust. His brilliant talents, his fascinating
oratory, his personal attractions, created a
profound interest in his case; and all that
friends could do to divorce him from the
fiery cup, was done without avail. On the
Sth of January, 1912, he entered the hall of
the House in a state Of intense nervous ex-
citement and terror, and rushing madly
across the hall, to where Mr.. Briggs was
seated, exclaimed, Briggs, you must write
me pledge that 1 may sign and live
Ar. Briggs subsequently said that he
thought Mr.. Marshall was beside himself,
and was amazed at his strange request.
He said he perceived however, the signs Of
profound distress, and earnestress on his
fine face, and without hesitation ne wrote
the following pledge: Il pledge myself
never to use intoxicating liquors as a drink
and request that my name be entered as a
member of the Washington temperance
society" To this pledge Mr.. Marshall in
stantly subscribed, with trembling hand
| oAANN IL AAASSo dAehA SAAoIel elSAC4S illS udulS.
Thomas f. Marshall, NJ. c., KentUcky,o and
having done so said, II feel better now
On the night of that day, Mr.. Marshall ap-
peared at a public meeting, took the
pledge and made short but brilliant and
touching speech. Long after this Mir, Mar
shall clung to Mr.. Briggs with trusting
paternal feelings, and some months after
wards addressed him the following note:
"WAsHINGToN, Nay ,, 1912.
"Dear Briggs: The rain and other things
prevented my calling. shall start at
6 o'clock in the morning. If you love,
follow me at four. I will wait il PniladeI-
phia till Wednesday morning. and thus We
will enter the great city New York.
together. shall be lost and dumb with
out you. Come on and take care of your
proselyte.
Yours sincerely and always,
THOMAS T. MARSHALL"
Doubtless Mr.. Marshall was then on hi;
way to the city of New York, where DR..
Plerson heard him speak as recorded
above. Of that speech, DR.. Pierson writes:
t"AlaS that I nuct COW +b,4 ,1.L.l ~