The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-01-27
Temperance Convention.


Providence on Wednesday of last week
the largest and most enthusiastic con-
yention ever held in Rhode Island.
Among the prominent speakers at the
meeting were the Rev. DR.. Leavitt who
very clearly demonstrated that in the
progress of our reform, portion of the
work belonged to the civil power, Rev.
DR.. Hall, who spoke very forcibly and
effectively in favor Of the general prin-
ciples on which our reform is based, and
DR.. Wayland, who eloquently set forth
the duty of the Christian, and the duty
Of the citizen, in manner which left no
doubt in the minds Of the audience as
to his own position. AS Christian, he
would act the part Of the missionary, and
reason with and persuade his fellow men.
As citizen, he would insist upon equal
rights. He would not trample on the
rumseller's right to fair trial by an
impartial jury. If we had done SO, we
had done so unwittingly, and would do
so no more. But the rumseller had no
right to tax us to support his business
Temperance men had rights, and should
maintain them. They had the right t
suppress business which brought upor
them crime and pauperism and it wa:
idle to say that legal forms could not be
devised through which their ri ghts could
be maintained. " .'"G
We are indebted to our able and
efficient cotemporary-the Tsmperano
Adrocate-for the following full repor
of the proceedings of the Convention
The meeting was called to order b,
A. G. Barstow, Esq, President of th'
State Society. Mr.. D. was soon unde
the necessity Of leaving, and DR.. Hunt
ing filed the chair. Prayer by Rev
Mr.. Welsh. A Business Committee con
sisting Of Rev. Mr.. Blodget, Hon. I
Whipple, DR.. B. Carpenter, P. L
Stiness, and Rev. Mr.. Boyden, wa
chosen. w e.-.- .
On motion of Mr.. G.. Richmond, al
members of Total Abstinence Societie
were invited to participate in the delib
erations of the Convention. rzi
Rev. Mr.. Miner, Corresponding Sec
retary of the State Society, read an abl
and interesting report which was adopte,
and referred to the Executive Commit
to be printed. aa aaao'7sa r'v
On motion, gentlemen from differel
towns in the State were called upon
report the result of the decision Of Jude
Curtis on the temperance cause, in the
several towns or neighborhoods.
Mr.. B. Mumford of Newport, gave
brief history of the success and want 9
success of the Efforts that had been pu
forth in that town. He stated that tn
real friends of the cause were not dis
heartened, but were ready to do wha
lay in their power to suppress the liquo
traffic.
Mr.. Meeks, in the absence of Schuy
Ter Fisher, Esq, said he was authorize
to speak for Exeter The benefci
effects of the Maine Law has b. en- see
there-several inebrlates have entirel
abandoned the use of liquor since il
passage. Iad a.. ."
Mr.. E; Wentworth, who ought to b,
long to Westerly, said no liquor was so
In that town, but could be obtained
any quantity across the State line Z
dealer who had been driven from Pro,
idence, had taken up his residence iu.
on the line in Stonington, another ha
been driven all the way from Maine, an
could find no rest for his business unit
be arrived in Connecticut, {" the land
liberty" f5 1-i q. ..- ..a...
Rev. Mr.. Burdick, concurred in IL
remarks Of Mr.W., and would not occur
the time Of the Convention.
Rev. Mr.. Denison said that but or
case had been prosecuted in WesterI
under the new law, and that was {;