A NATION'S SHAME | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 28, 1878

A NATION'S SHAME.

The silver bill passed the U. S. Senate, Feb. 16, by a vote of 49 to 21. The scene witnessed in the Senate chamber, pending the passage of the bill, is thus described in a dispatch to the Detroit Evening News of Feb. 18:—

“The scene in the Senate chamber last night was remarkable, as well as disgraceful. A large number of senators were in an unfit condition to participate in the discussion, being so intoxicated that they could scarcely stand on their feet. There were from ten to fifteen in this condition, and instead of being taken to their homes they remained in the Senate chamber, to make themselves conspicuous and pain the occupants of galleries, who were compelled to see the sight. Such a scene was probably never before witnessed in the capitol, and it ought to bring a blush of shame to every citizen, that such exhibitions go unrebuked.”

The wise man says that “righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” And what can be hoped for a nation whose highest interests are in the hands of those who will at any time give themselves up to beastly drunkenness, especially in the Senate chamber of the nation’s capitol?