The Portland daily press., 1866-11-26
Temperance and Temperance Con'en

Temperance and Temperance
tiOms.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS
The time has passed when, to be an advocate
| of Temperance, a man must expect 10 meet OPP
nrobrium and dersion. For, try as they may
| to fasten a stigma upon his name at the present
dav the rumsellers know-and tremble to
know-that a consistent Temperance man will
| command the respect of the community will
even command the respect of those who oppose
him most vigorously. They must feel in their
hearts, that while they hate the man who inter-
feres with their traffic, and brings them dis
colnfiture and loss, they are hating one whose
motives are honest and noble, while their own
| are base and unworthy.
Now if these men could only see the signs
of the times" they would hasten to abandon
| business so wretched, and to win back the re-
spect they have lost. Yes and the love of all
well disposed persons would follow them in
| their future pursuits; and what they lost in
wealth by the action, they would gain, ay, and
double, tenfold in gems more precious than gold
the gratitude and the prayers of wives and
| mothers, fathers and brothers. Why can not
they see this and fan into flame the little spark
of love which must exist somewhere in their
hearts,for am 10th to believe the last ray is
extinguished. Why do they not see, that in
defying the law, and the wishes and entreaties
of all good men and women, they are certainly
making themselves-were justice done them
the veriest aliens and outlaws in the land
| Temperance reformers, once SO unpopular
everywhere, are now acknowledged to be a
very respectable class of agitators. That they
have become power in the land, is conceded.
That our. city and State andbthe whole nation
| would be a vast field Of drunkards, but for
that power, is scarcely to be doubted. Is not
this much to be thankful for?
| In the various organizations now flourish
ing, all classes of Temperance men and wo-
men can find the place to labor effectually
And scores and hundreds are focking to the
field who, few years ago, would have blush
ed to have been caught in Temperance meet
ing of any kind. Now you can see the vers
best people going boldly up the steps to these
Temperance gatherings, looking just the same
as if going to any other place; nothing daunt-
/ ed by the gaze of the others, who do not go
but really looking happy and bearing theii
burdens with cheerfulness and alacrity
1 w no Is JueT6 Ill JulS tudb uO6s
not respect the old Cumberland County Asso
ciation?" an institution that has struggled on
for years under difficulties and discourage
ments, keeping its own area bright and trans
parent when surrounding pools were stag
pant like a crystal wave above turbid sea !
raising its beacon high, throwing its life-boat
here and there, amid the storm and in the de-
lusive calm but now, seeing clearly through
| the receding mists, moves majestically in
its course with but little obstruction.
Is this too much to say? think not. YheI
the he art and brain combine, the work mus
prosper, and they are both here in wonder
fully large measure-as all who attended the
last meeting of this association at Yarmouth
on WEDNESDAY last, will bear me witness.
The new feature there introduced, of an es.
say delivered at the commencement of each
session, added much to the character Of the
meeting. 1t is to be hoped that the committee
will keep this additional attraction upon theil
programme.
While listening to those excellent and inter
esting contributions, and also to the very
J fine speaking that marked the whole meeting
among which were some happy and eloquent
Lon
Aug. E. Stevens, and also a live, stirring
speech from Capt. Dutton, of the Englisl
steamer Hibernian, we thought no one how
ever intellectual and fastidious, could go away
from that Convention unsatisfed or un
strengthened.
May crowded meetings bless the efforts o
this association anda may temperance meet
J ings in our State, generally, he places for thu
people to love.