MADISON AS A TEMPERANCE MAN.
Many years ago, when the temperance movement began in Virginia, ex-President Madison lent the weight of his influence to the cause. Case-bottles and decanters disappeared from the sideboard at Montpelier—wine was no longer dispensed to the many visitors at that hospitable mansion. Nor was this all. Harvest began, but the customary barrel of whisky was not purchased, and the song of the scythemen in the wheatfield languished. In lieu of whisky, there was a beverage most innocuous, unstimulating and unpalatable to the army of dusky laborers.
The following morning, Mr. Madison called in his head-man to make the usual inquiry, "Nelson, how comes on the crop?"
"Po'ly, Mars' Jeems—monsus po'ly."
"Why, what's the matter?"
"Things is seyus."
"What do you mean by serious?"
"We gwine los' dat crap."
"Lose the crop! Why should we lose it?"