Liquors
and wines were freely used on social occasions, at weddings
and at funerals. The clergyman staggered home from his round
of pastoral calls, and the bearers partook of brandy or gin
or rum in the room adjoining that where the coffin was placed
ready for the funeral. A gentleman present said it was utterly
impracticable to try and wean the American people from the habit of
drinking. Jeremiah Evarts answered, "It is right, therefore
practicable."
He was a Puritan of the old school. He made a vigorous but
ineffectual attempt in Connecticut to enforce the Sunday
laws. His death was caused by his exertions in resisting
the removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia, a removal
accomplished in violation of the Constitution and of public
faith. The Supreme Court of the United States declared the
law of Georgia unconstitutional. But Georgia defied the mandate
of the Court, and it was never executed. The missionary agent
was imprisoned and died of his confinement. Mr. Evarts said,
"There is a court that has power to execute its judgments."
I told this story to Horace Maynard, an eminent member of
Congress and a member of the Cabinet.
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