The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-02-20

destruction of grain and sugar ana the
supporting of the paupers and the in
valids and the criminals which strong
drink causes, is only a small part OF
what is paid for this expensive song of
the d~runkards.
Again, this song of the drunlkards is
a multitudinous song-not a solo, o
a duet, not a quartet, not n SeXtet; but
millions on millions are this hour sing
ing it. Do not think hat alcoholism
has this field all to itself. 1t has pow
erful rivals in the intoXicants of other
na lions: hasheesh, N arrack, n
pulque. and opium, and quavo. Every
nation. barbaric as well as civilized,
has it's pet ~intoXicant. The song of
the drunkards is rendered in Chinese,
Hindoo, Arabian, Assyrian, Persian,
MeXican-yea, all the languages. All
zones Join it. No continent would be
large enough for the Choir gallery if
al! those who ave this hbretto in
their hands should stand side by side
to chant the international chorus.
Other throngs are just learning the
eight notes of this deathful music.
which is already mastered by the or
chestras in full voice under h batons
in full swing. All the musicians as
sembled at Dusseldorf, or Berlin, or
Boston Peace Jubilee, rendering sym
phonies, requiems or grand marches of
Mendelssohn, or Wagner, or Chopin, or
Handel. were insignificant in numbers
as compared with the innumerable
throngs, lost beside host, gallery
above gallery, who are now pouring
forth the song of the drunkard.
Years ago, standing before a bulletin
board in New York on the night of a
presidential election day, as the news
came in and the choice of the American
people was finally announced, there
were people in the street who sang
registering and frivolous songs; but in
the street one man, in deep, strong,
resonant voice, started to the tune of
s'Old Hundred" Praise God, from
whom all blessings flow" and soon up
and down the street h voices joined
in the d~oxology. May God speed the
day when the song of rescue and saliva
ton shall drown with an overwhelming
surge this mighty song of the drunk
ards!
Again, the song of the drunkards is a
suggestive song. You hear a nursery
refrain, and right away you think of
your childhood home, and brothers and
sisters with whom you played, and
mother. long since gone to rest. You
near a national air, and you think of
the encampment of 1853, and the still
night on the river bank, and the camp
fires that shook their reflections up
and down the faces of the regiment.
You hear an old church tune, and you
are reminded of the revival scenes
amid which you were brought to God.
Nothing so brings up associations as a
song sung or played upon an instru-
ment, and the drunkard's song is full
of suggestion. As you hear il on the
street quite late some night, you be-
gin t. say to yourself, Il wonder
If he has a mother? Is his wife wait
ing for him? Will his children be
frightened when he enters the door
and staggers, whooPing, up the stairs?
What chance is there for a young man
started so early In life on the down
grade? In what business will he sue
coed? How long before that man will
run through his property l wonder
how he got so far astray? Can any in
fuence be welded to fetch him back?
He must nave got into bad company
who led him off," So you soliloquize
and guess about this man whose voice
you hear on the street under the star
light.
Notice that the second noun of my
text is in the plural. Not 'tdrunkard,"
but 'tdrunkards." 1t would be dull
work to sing that song solitary and
alone. 1t is generally a chorus. They
are in groups. On that downward way
there must be companionship. Here
and there is q man SO mean as always
to drinks alone, but generally men, big
hearted men, drinking at bar or in res
taurant or in club house, feel mortified
to take the beverage unaccompanied.
There must be some one with whom
to click the rim of the glasses, some
ones health to propose, some senti-
ment to toast. There must be two, and
still better if four, and still better if
six, to give zest to the song of the
drunkards. Those who have gone
down could mention the name of at
least one who helped them down. Gen
orally it Is some n who was a little
higher up in social life or in financial
resources. Our friend felt f1attered to
an invitation.from n of superior
name. Each one frank not only when
he felt like it, but when the other felt
AAAC ~. vi dhOC ~ AoSh
ing in sociability when he was invited.
So 100000 men every year are treated
into hell. Together are they manacled
of evil habit, together they travel to-
ward their doom, together they make
merry over she cowardice or puritan
ical sentiment of those who never in
together they Join their voices
in the song of the drunkards. If the
Ona nnnnnSna m Gfnn the nfhar will mot |
let him stop. When men are getting
themselves they do not wan
their associates to turn back. Those
who turn back will be the scoff and
of those who keep on, and
there will be conspiracy to bring them
back to their old places and their old
and SO have them renew
song of the drunkards.
There looms up in my memory n of
the best and noblest friends l ever had.
member of the church. / knew not
that at about 81 years of age he had
followed the sea and habits of inebria-
cy had been fixed upon him. But o N
to God he began a new life. Yet
it was a 80 years war against the old
appetite; but about this struggle |
nothing until he was dead. While
absent during my summer vacation |
a telegram announcing his
death and asking me to come and Off
Mt his obseguies. Iarrived at the
moment the service was TO begin, and
had not much time K make inquiries
about his last hours. In my remarks,
any limitations, l extolled his
while living, and spoke of the
heavenly Faptqres into which he had
Afterward l found that
had died of delirium tremens
the hospital, because he was
so violent he could not be sufii-
restrained in his beautiful
home. He had been seized in the street
with violent pains of body, and went
into an apothecary store to get medical
relief. Something there given him set
On fire his old appetite for strong
drink, and utterly irresponsible. he
from liquor store to liquor store,
until a raving maniac, the officers of
The law bound him and tool him to
5he hospital, where he died. Some
time after ! said To the doctor in the
hospital, ''Of what did he die?" and
he answer was, Congestion of the
- IT.