The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-07-11 00:00:00

BILES SIGN.
GRAND REVIEW OF THE BLUE RIBBON

-ARMY.

The officers of our local body of Blue Ribbonites
have for the bust three or four months been strenuously
"beating up" for recruits in Dorchester and the sur-
rounding villages, and although in one or two instances
great obstruction has been given to open-air meetings
by • few inveterate votaries of Bacchus, • remarkable
soccer Iles attended the combined philanthropic
efforts of Messrs. Clarke, J. Foot, Derails, arid Bur'
den, whose sole aim lathe reclamation of that despised
and contemptuously-pitied member of society, the
habitual drunkard. Gratifying evidences of their
endeavours have been seen in the towns of Cerne and
Dorchester, but of all other places in this part of
1). rest, Bore Regis has undoubtedly reaped the most
benefit from the Slue Ribbon Army, and taken up the
movement with the greatest zest and enthusiasm. A
little more than three months since the new order of
temperance was • loud stranger to this large village,
but now the most conspicuous there are the remaining
few who have not yet donne.' the emblem of the
"True Blues." Minting such a satisfactory state of
matters, and their ranks gradually augmenting, the
committee, upon the prportion of • "vary military "
member, resolved to bold a grand review and general
inerection.
Monday last was the day selected for the momentous
affair, and brides a volunteer hand from Wareham,
liberally provided by Montagu Guest, Esq., Ml'., as
• mark of his appreciation ot the good work done by
the Army, contingents from various adjacent parishes
participated in the manteuvres, and notwithstanding
every available moment of the fine weather is utilised
In the hay field, and that there were many counter-
&Weeder, hundreds flocked to Bare Regis to witness
the greet demonstration. The Dorchester company,
numbering about 60, wet the last detachment to
arrive, in halfa-dosen waggonettes, on the parade
ground—a large field, kindly tent by Messrs. Mundell,
at the farther end of the village—where an eidresiN
which commenced the day's programme. was delivered
by the Rev. J. F. LiNG1,0111) (vicar). rhe rev. gentle
LIM is a warm supporter of the cause, and is doing
all he possibly can to Isobaric* its progress. After •
few words of genial greeting, he proorded to express
his great gimp ithy with the Aimy adherents. He
was thankful the movement hail reached Here Regis,
for it bad done • vast amount of good there. Many
who were bef re in sin and wretchedness through
drink, were now, through the instrumentality of the
Blue Ribbon Army, brought to their right senses and
were a credit to themselves and those around them.
He rejoiced to see so many of them assembled there
that day, and hoped be might sea such gatherings
quarterly or annually' as the committee thought fit.
(Applause.) They hard started • little Band of Hope
some months before the Blue Ribbon Army came
amongst them, and he desired to see on such a grand
day as that all teetotalers joined t .gether in one
common love and friendship. Having expatiated on
the sound principles of the Blue Ribbon Army, he
said there w,re • great many people who foolishly
thought that when they took the blue ribbon their
souls were e reed. There was • great tn.stake in that
suppoeitioe, but in takinz the riobon h.,
first step was made to se ration, end at some leiigth
the vicar earnestly exp.,' n i to hie hearers bow they
could beet keep the pledee I,y be trees of God. Man,
he said, oannot keep from di ink is. his own strength;
he must p ace himself entirely in the bands of the
Saviour. The rev. gentleman held in his hands •
formidable-looking document, which he said was apeti.
tion to close publschouses on Sundays, and which he
wanted as many in Bets Regis to sign as he could
get. (Loud cheers.) Before leaving the platform he
should like to explain to them why he had not taken
the blue ribbon himself. Although he was an
abstainer when in good health, and was told he
may have • doctor's certifieate if he became
a blue ribbon man, he thought it an unpar-
donable sin for • man to wear the emblem of
teetotalism and yet be taking a little alcoholic
stimulant for the good of his stomach, though it were
by the doctor's orders. fie should also like to mention
that if there were any who would like to meet him
once a week to further the CA1101) of temperance, which
he wished every success, he would be glad if they
°Amadeu, eventog but Saturday. On Saturday evenings
be could not be at their disposal, but on any other
evening it would be a very great pleasure to him to
meet them. Wishing them a happy and pleasant day
In conclusion, the speaker descended the platform amid
the vociferous cheers of his parishioners, led by
"General" Clark, who was dressed in brilliant
uniform, with epaulets and all the paraphernalia
belonging to so distinguiehed an officer and
who trusted their vicar would be wearing th'e blue
ribbon the next time he gave them such an excellent
address, which seutiment was re-echoed by the loud
applause and "hear, hears," from the gathering.
The next business was to march round the village
and pay compliments of respect to those inhabitants
o-had welcomed the Army to Bens Regis; and the
baud having already been walticg for the signal to
start, the General" and hie rad busily began to
arrange the Army in marching order, with • plentiful
supply of etandard-bearere, who all bore colours
bearing some tacit ital motto or sign, the leading
Inscription being "Wine is a Mocker; Strong Drink is
Raging." Fours were formed, and a few moments'
pause given to allow a photographer to take • fair
copy of the 500 or 600 rank and file, when "By your
left, quick mer-r-rch !" from the commander, set the
whole ly of valiant "True Blues" advancing ont of the
field. They were preceded, afa taiiitaire, by pioneers
—a brave whose breast wer embellished with
medals of more than one army; a youth clad in blue,
and • sashed individuel, who also found plenty to do
In the capacity of "Major." To a "quick-stepper'
they gaily marched through the village, and by their
bright array made the one or two topers, who, with
short' dockers " in their mouths, had crowded round
a pub., look more miserable than ever. Mr. Dowding,
farmer, was the first gentleman visited and thanked
for his brat wishes to the Army, which he train
recapitulated. Mr. Besant, another farmer received
the same courtesy, and he wished them God:peed with
all his heart. On their way to Dr. Lys' they pared
under an arch, with the words "Stand Fast to
the End" fixed in the middle. The doctor, in
replying to the "General," said ae be understood the
army mauled war against drunkenness he heartily
wished It succor Great good, he knew, had resulted
from their shit to Bare Regis. Right-abonewheel
was cow the order, and • move woe made to
the field for refreshments. On the way cheers were
given at the residences of the Rev. Mr. Ver, Mr.
Hest, and others. Even the Blue Ribbonites get very
dry sometimes, and as the sun had been shining
gravely throughout the march, a tremendous attack
was made on the ginger-beer tent se MOM as the
rendezvous was again reached.
The chief feature of the day, the grand review, took
place about an hour afterwards. The " Genesi "and
Major" having formal companies of young hopefuls,
maw mama aed a strong regiment of the parental
to bring up the rear, the manual exercise was gone
through, much to the delight of the "small fry," who
=their arms about so indiscriminately that
on Um nose wen ol ammo mumps.