Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-02-06
REPORT.

Temperance Society having acted through
the past season In concert with the Execu-
tive Committee of the Old Society, it has
been thought expedient that both Commit
tees should unite on the present occasion;
at the same time it is not intended to give
detailed account of our proceedings, or to
report at length on the subject Of Temper
ance.
We have come to the close Of another
year, and when we look back upon the do
ings Of tina, year, so far as the cause of
Temperance is concerned, our duty COM
pels us to say (and we regret it exceeding
ly) that in this place, at least, we have no
successful results on which to congratu-
late ourselves and the community, no inn
portant acquisitions in the restoration Of
ruined fathers, brothers, and sisters from
degredation,-misery, crime, and prema-
ture death are found on the pages Of that
years history. ..-
The Temperance cause has not progress
ed. Intemperance prevails to an extent un-
precedented in latter years, spreading ruin
and desolaiion through all classes Of socle-
ty, including among its victims some hith-
erto respectable individuals, and many Of
our most promising youth. The heart ofthe
fond parent is made 10 bleed in anguish
while he beholds in prospect for his only
child, on whom perhaps all his dependence
was placed, the sure and certain Consum-
nation ofthe drunkard's tate, An untimely
grave, - and himself too destined IN power
ty and wretchedness for few short years
to weep and lament over ruined torture
and persisted hopes.
1t is well known that in Oct. 1888. the
Town refused TO direct the Selectmen TO
grant licenses to retail spirits; but in Jan.
1889 different councils prevailed, change
was effected, and the town voted to give
such direction.
Under that vote 7 persons have been
licensed q 10 sell to be drank IN their
houses or stores, and to carry out,-these Z
persons all gave bonds in the sum of S3OO
each and it is believed all have broken the
condition of their bonds.-l9 others sell with
out license and against law, and most oil
them to be drank in their places Of busn ess,
and with many it is their sole employment.
All this is done in broad daylight, without
the least movement to stay the plague
there are none found to stand between the
living and the dead. ...s-
The consequences Of such a state OF
things could hardly be mistaken. Grog
shops, Bar Rooms, and Victualling Gel
lars where men, human beings, are man
ufactured into brutes, and ruined in all
their hopes and prospects are multiplied
in our principal steets, Drunkenness,
profanity, and indecent vulgarity meet you
at MONDAY, and not unfrequently at early
dawn. Young and old are seen Keeling
along or lettering out Of these dens OF
misery and woe, victims to the cupidity and
ayarice of the monsters within. When or
how this will end we know not, I'VE do not
we cannot consider the case hopeless
In Jan'y last the friends of Temperance
appointed large Committee who have
made some exertions to stay the evil, and
have conferred with our municipal officers
on the subject we are not aware
that anything has been effected, or that any
effort has been, or is at present likely to be
made to enforce the law or close up these
nuisances against the public welfare and the
public peace. .."-.-.. .....
We may enquire, for 1t is natural we
should, what has occasoned this great de-
cline in the cause. The reasons are many
and various. But even had we time and
inclination, it might not be expedient at
present to state them, as they will no doubt
be presented to you in some better FORM
We would only obserys that Of the many
causes which have retarded the Temperance
cause, and perhaps caused it to retrograde.
we know Of none greater than the want OF
union, independence, and 6rmness among
the friends Of Temperance tbemselveso-t