The Wheeling Repository

To the Editor of the Wheeling Repository.

SIR,

Having determined to desert from the Drunken corps, I take the liberty, through the medium of your paper, of inviting my numerous brethren, in the town of Wheeling, to follow my example. And as protesting is the order of the day, I invite them, one and all, to join in the subjoined protest. I found it by chance in an old newspaper, and committed it to memory. I have derived some advantage from it, and therefore recommend officers and privates of the Drunken corps to commit it to memory, & govern themselves by its precepts. Perhaps it may also have some effect on those batchelors and young men, who appear to be candidates for admission into the corps.

RIGABUNDUS.
THE PROTEST.

I protest that no more I'll get drunk-
'Tis the curse and the plague of my life,
It ruins my credit, my health and my purse,
My peace and my comfort and what is still worse,
It destroys the peace of my wife,
I protest that no more I'll get drunk
It torments and embitters my life.

To ruin 'twould hurry its vot'ry headlong,
And reason declares that I'm quite in the wrong;
And so do the tears of my wife.

I protest that no more I'll get drunk—
Nor lead such a wretched vile life;

Its attendants are poverty, shame and disgrace
Disease and despair stare me hard in the face,
And point to my heart-broken wife?

I protest that no more I'll get drunk--
'Tis the spring of all evils in life;
'Tis the curse of all curses! of mischief the worst!
'Tis the plague of all plagues! 'tis a demon accurst!
And makes me mistreat my poor wife.

I protest that no more I'll get drunk-
For I find it the bane of my life;
Henceforth I'll be watchful, that nought shall destroy
That comfort and peace that I ought to enjoy
In my children, my home, and my wife.