Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-02-22
CORRESPONDENCE


Accidentally, / am writing amid very
uncongenial surroundings. Disagree
able, because the semblance of man,
o'erful of some intoxicant, is " shoot
ing OFF, his silly speeches, foolish
compliments, and maudlin stories,
making one feel in any other than a
heavenly atmosphere.
A supreme argument in favor of
Prohibition is the moral and physical
wreckage, which can be traced to this
source of mans undoing, viz: The
abuse of alcoholic beverages. never
would connect myself with any Tenn
perance organization, believing to con-
vert man from his debasing habits it
was necessary to throw around him
the safeguard of religion; yet | donot
scruple to urge any means which may
be employed to rescue those who are
perishing in the dreadful maul-strom
of Intemperance where so many are
engulphed before they are aware. The
alcoholic habit is growing fearful in
its appalling influence on the young.
Those old Salts who seem doomed
from constant habit demand not half
the sympathy as the growing boy,
who is met at nearly every step with
the temptations to ruin. 1t seems
pitifully incongruous to witness the
swaggery, hating gait at this early
period of life-to mark the lines of
debasing influences which tell too
plainly of the unholy fires within,
consuming the stamina and ability
of our young manhood. The educa-
ton in that school of perdition, the
saloon, is varying our national life,
and destroying its hope foran exalted
future.
1t is we'll if our State and munich
pal lawmakers enact stringent meas
ures to protect the youth of our land
from the enervating influences of
these pernicious places. If we can
not save the soldering drunkard
from himself, we can direct our effort
where it will be most felt. Increase
the penalties and punishments, if
need be, until the thoughtless or un-
principled man who tempts our boys
towards the inebriates' fate shall trem-
BILE to contemplate the consequences
of his dastardly course in encourag-
ing the formation of dissipated hab-
its,which grow but to yield harvest
of shame and dishonor farther reach
ing than pen can portray. The
xubitoct boiroJ Y,orco,, I avar cow woe
a woman young in years, but whose
worn and tired face spoke of untold
sorrows endured from this source.
All its JOY had fled, and as she sat
by her recreant husband, who was
weighted down with the burden of
physical and moral turpitude, the
reflex of his wasted life, reflected
from her pitiful face was the loveless-
ness which had withered her heart,
and it seemed she would fain reach
out her hands in suppliance to the
grave to hide her from her woe.
There is a calm for those who weep
rest for weary pilgrims found :
They softly lie and sweetly sleep,
Low in the ground"
But why expand subject so
fraught with the intensity of sorrow
and misery in its bearing did not
intend to write so much, but if some
who read my letter may be reinforced
in taking it to heart, it's newsiness
might be well dispensed with for this
time.
Mr.. S. Wright's sale yesterday,
with j. W. Dodd as auctioneer, yield
ed a handsome return in the good
prices received for his stock, etc.
Miss L. A. j. Payne killed large
garter snake in her walk few days
ago. A lively fellow.
"Spring, the Jocund Queen of
newborn flowers" seems fully bent
ON showing how spry she can be, for
/ gathered a handful out doors to-
day of Jasmine, violets, dandelions,
spirea and myrtle, surprisingly sweet
and modest, but with a broad
grin on their bright faces in witness
of the worlds big eyes" at an APP
parent innovation. b.