The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-05-14


that be trtie, is it not our solemn
duty to protect, as much as possible
from all that tends to demoralizes
If too late to, reform those who are
lalready confirmed in their habits, il
cannot be too early, to save the
young before they have formed them.
| A few years ago, | was seated in a
passenger coach en.rOute TO the
''Fair Grounds" near the city OF
Memphis, when / noticed the en-
trance of some young men, among
whom was one, able bodied and
fine looking, who took a seat near by.
/ There Was a peculiarly about his
appearance which could not UNI
derstand, until the conductor came
/ around for the tickets, when I saw
his friend, had il in his keeping,
and seemed to have care of him
also. was informed by one who
knew of the circumstances-tha
this young man was an orphan and
only heir to one of the finest estates
in the city.-Gn other words he was
one of the Wealthiest men in Mem
pills. but that he, from the habit of
| intemperance, was rendered incapa-
BILE of taking care himself, had a
guardian and could not be trusted
with so small sum as should pro-
vide for his expenses to the grounds
although he seemed to be upwards
4 Of twenty-five years of age. / saw
| him once more on the streets of the
/, city, staggering as d blind man,
without a guide. I can tell no more of
him except that he had been bright
and talented youth, but whiskey had
robbed him Of the light of his mind
he was mentally, hOpelessly blind.
A sad case, who will be held respon-
sible for this wreck Our own
county of Hardeman has furnished a
parallel case, whose ending was de-
| plorable, My heart has been touch
ed with rnpassionate sorrow for
the suferings of my friends, until
tears Of regret have flowed in secret
silence By Retrospective glance
of few short years, I recall to
memory. young men who ripened
into manhood in our midst, with
bright promises of usefulness and
honor. L realize that they have
been overtaken by the 1empter.
Those fair minds which might, un-
| der different circumstances, have
borne the impress of Gods own
image, were blighted as a flower by
an untimely frost. cannot suppress
the regret that this subject had not
been more vehemently discussed at
| an earlier day, some of them might
have been saved. Most OF you have
heard the incident in connection with
the lite and reform of one of Ken
tuckY's ablest journalists and poets.
one who charmed the public by the
emanations from his pen, by merit
of talent raised to an exalted posi-
ton among his fellow men, by the
abuse Of that talent, through the
medium of rum, reduced to idleness
and poverty.
| Having been dismissed from pro:
fitable employment on that account
he was vending his uncertain way
along the streets of Louisville, at d
late hour OF the evening, when the
want of TODD and drink induced him
to seek a snack house for refresh
ments, there he parted with his last
cent, and passed into the streets in
company with another unfortunate,
who. soon recognized the bond of
| Gongeniality between them, address
ing himself to his companion, he
deplored his own fate and folly for
| having spent ali he had for rum; on
cold night, when he had no bed,
nor shelter to protect him from the
Uintry blasts. Come with me- said
the dther, and you are welcome to
share such hospitality as have to
offer, accepting which the two trudg-
ed on, on, until the shadows of night
had settled around them, when
turning a little to one side his COM
panion pointed to a pig pen where
swine were fattening for the market
and said "stoop down and crawl in
that's is my home" "My God! said
the poet, have l come TO this that ]
must share 3 bed with swine to get
shelterf Never, low as l have
: sunk, | will not stoop te this, wiki
KEY has led me to it and / will never
E touch another drop of the miserable
stuff. It is said he owed his reforma-
ton to the grunt of that hog, which
reminded him that in his present
condition be was not far from the
brute creation. His selfrespect was
aroused, he abandoned his cups, was
soon reinstated in his former position
which he filed with honor. That
man was George d. Prentice.
To the thoughtful, the suppression
of the alcoholic trade presents one
of the most momentOus difficulties
of our age. 1t affects so many de
partments Of business, conflicts with
such a variety of interests, that ma
ny well meaning people are afraid to
express themselves upon the subject,
for fear they will sustain loss thereby
That there must be reform, no one
can deny who has for five minutes
studied the statistical reports taken
from the United States census and
other official documents.
We know that in spite of our inn
povlshed conditions after the termi-
nation of the civil war the already
confused state OF public morals, was
made even worse by the Use of
whiskey introduced as a means for
controlling elections. For this both
sections are responsible.
Were such measures ever real
strength to any people? We have
become notorious amoeg the nations
for intemperance, it has corrupted
the government, fillel our prisons,
made innumerable graves and pau
pers of women and children. Our