The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-03-11
THE TRMPERANCE CONYRNTTON.

most important Cincinnati convention Of this
year.
A. D. Robinson presided. The attendance
was net numerous, but an earnest spirit was
manifested.
The committee on organization, appointed
at the last meeting, reported plan for thor
Oughly canyassing the county, which, after
some discussion, was amended by the general
substitution Of the constitution Of q Temper.
ance Alliance in Franklin county, which pro-
vides for di'eet action to merge ell political
preferences into the temperance question, de-
handing that the political parties shall put in
nomination for legislative offices men who
are known to be consistent friends Of temper
ance reform.
Committees are to be appointed under this
constitution, whose duty it shall be TO obtain
pledge from as many voters as possible that
they will support no man for the Legislature
who is not in favor Of the prohibition Of the
liquor traffic.
This constitution ives discussed by s. +.
Cary, s. Trevor, DR.. Jones Of Montgomery,
DR.. Grant, DR.. Cooper, and DIR. Wadsworth
in favor, and BY Ira French, Mr.. Edwards,
Mr.. Murdocksand ThOs. WhhetstoneOf Cali
fOrnia, and W. 7. Coggeshall against. The
gentlemen opposing, approved Of the object
Of the Alliance, but not Of theplan Of organ
iZation.
Without exception, the speakers were agreed
that Temperance was the paramount question
in the next State election.
Samuel Trevor, on behalf Of the committee
and German mission, read q report, which
provided that German missionary should be
appointed at salary Of five hundred dollars
v,aS Ta,,n na ,,av.av.
should be established in Cincinnati, and that
the ministers Of the different German congre-
cations shall be invited to open their churches
to temperance lectures.
Rev. Mr.. Gustiani, one Of the committee
on this report, said that the Germans had
political and social influence in the American
element which was not understood. He had
often deplored, that among the organizations
for temperance, there was no special effort to
redeem the German people-they were open
to conviction. In their own country drink
ing was the lightning rod TO liberty. On all
occasions the Germans had their drink, and
drinking nation was not fit to have liberty
The Germans were o social people; they had
the principle Of lOcation-that was why the
German would sell the potato and eat the
pesling-he saved his money to buy sOmeland.
In America, one reason why the Germans
the secular papers had no principle. They
sold their papers in the coffee-houses The
coffee house was a place where everything
could be got but coffee or something good to
eat; and il the editors wrote about temperance
they would not sell so many papers. They
cared only about the cent.
Yet with regard to the German people no
had hope. They were known as thinkers
every German could read--eyery child could
read. He hoped this year to form q Ger
man Division Of the Sons Of Temperance.
He was only q short time in Cincinnati, bat
he could put his hand on many Germans who
would stand with him in this movement. He
believed that the next year the Originat0rS Of
greatly blessed.
Rev. Mr.. Mast had labOred for fifteen years
in Cincinnati as the editor Of religious pa
per, and was Son Of Temperance. The Ger
man Methodist churches were temperance as
sOCiations. He almost despaired Of accom-
plishing the object Of the report unless the
German ministers Of the city would open their
churches. ALL that could be done must be
done to enlist the German ministers. He
thought more Of en- organs paper-than Of
tracts. Little tracts would be thrown aside,
but if the old people did not read the paper,
the little children would. If the temperance
reform could be carried generally among the
Germans Of this city, it w0uld be q movement
to make the angels rejoice. He was ready to
engage in it. Fifteen years ago he had found
his congregation thin--he went to coffee
house in the afternoon, and there he found
many persons drinking.
He took out his Testament and began to
preach. The landlord sRid, "Why do you |
preach here2" He answered, SIT is Sunday, |
and am a minister; have more right to /
preach to these people than you have to sell
them liquor" He kept on Trea hing, and
very soon there was nobody in the coffee house
but himself and the landlord. All the friends |
Of temperance should try to give light on this |
question among the Germans. German speak
ers must be procured.
ST. Cary had long felt the necessity Of
movement among the Germans. 1t was IA
vorite project Of his. A German paper was |
eminently required. Columbus, Cleveland |
and other cities, were joining Cincinnati in
this enterprise. When the Germans in Ham |
ilton county were right on the Temperance
question, Hamilton county would go for
Maine Law. POt-house politicians would |
come round.
Ira French thought an encouraging feature
Of the position Of the German people, though |
drinking customs did prevail among them,
was the fact that the children could read.
They ct least might be reached by a Temper
ance Organ; correct social principles would DO
inculcated. 80