The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-09-20
For the Telegraph.
For the Telegraph.
Good Templars' 18th Annual Convention.


For the Telegraph.
Good Templars 18th Annual Convention,
Mr.. Editor THE Wisconsin Grand Lodge
of Good Templars held its Eleventh Annual
Session at Portage City on the 4th, 9Th, and
9th instants. Hon. II. H. Giles, ofStoughton
G. w. C. T. presided. The session was re
markedly well attended, there being delegates
pre- sent from over two hundred lodges, and {
very deep earnestness in the temperance cause
prevailed among all. Reports from the difie
aging state of affairs wherever they exist, ant
! that the Order has never been in more pros
porous condition than at the present time
During the past year 157 new lodges have beer
instituted, making over 400 working lodges IL
the State, with a membership of $4,000; ant
this number is rapidly increasing Some fou
or five temperance lecturers have been labor
ing in the State at large, under the auspices o
the Grand Lodge, and this number will with
out doubt be augmented within the coming
year As it not unfrequentlt happens that thu
most hardened and vicious criminal, when thu
faculties which made him So are once turned
in the right direction, becomes the foremos
in virtue and moral principles; so inthe Tenn
perance cause we find this particularly true
MANY of its most Jealous and efficient worker
are to be found among those who were once
drunkards; and one Of the ablest Temperance
Lecturers in the State is a reformed inebriate
In the delegates to this Convention, were
represented almost every calling and profess
ion There were lawyers and judges, ministers
and teachers, editors and doctors, mechanics
farmers and soldiers, from all sections of the
State, assembled for the purpose Of hearing re
ports of what has been and is being done tC
carry forward the great Temperance work, and
to seek how its highest interests may best be
advanced in the future. & HiN SIS
The following officers for the ensuing year
were elected at this session
G. w. G. 7. H. H. Giles, of Stoughton.
G. w. Coun.-George S. Graves, Sheboygar
Falls.
G. W. v.'T.-Miss Matte Gilman, Portage
City.
G. w. s.-A. S. Wilson, Fond du Lac
G. w. A. S-Mrs. j, NJ. Comstock, Monterey
G. w. T.-Miss o. S. johnson, Melrose.
G. w. NC. P. Hackney, Sparta.
G. w. d. M-Miss Lille Robinson, La
Crosse.
G. w. Chap.-Rev d. G. Miller, Prairie du
G. w. Mess.-F. T. Lee, Kenosha.
G. w. l. G.-Miss Clara s. Moore, Sheboy
agan Falls.
e. w. o. CD. C. Sanbom, Milton
The annual lecture was delivered by A. A.
WILSON of Fond du Lac, after which Miss
EMORY, of Madison,- gave a short address in
her usual eloquent and Impressive manner.
Good Templarism in Wisconsin is no longer
or avnarimant The Order iS M N TO isb.
ed institution. and not in this State only, but
throughout the United States and Canada, it
is in more prosperous and flourishing condi-
ton than ever before. Within the past year
its membership has increased 100 per cent. 1t
has strong toothold in all the northern
States, in many of the southern, and in the
States and Territories of the Pacific coast; and
at its present ratio of increase, it must soon
become firmly grounded in every State of the
Union. The past year has been a remarkable
one in the history of the Temperance move
ment. There has been a greater awakening
among the people to its claims throughout the
length and breadth of the land more interest
manifested in its principles, and more efforts
put forth for the promotion of its success, than
for many years previous. At all these eviden
ces of the prosperity and success of the Order,
the friends of temperance may we'll rejoice =
not, however that simply rs an order it is fast
becoming powerful organization, but that
the interests of temperance are advanced
thereby, and better promoted too, than has
been found possible by any other means. AT
ter carefully reviewing all the different plans
and measures that had ever been put into
practice to advance this great work, the lead
ing Temperance men OF the nation came to the
conclusion that this is the wiSest, most efficient
and most successful method, and the expert
ence of the past few years has fully justified
them in this conclusion. That the Order Of
Good Templars is admirably adapted to the
work, is evident from the almost unparalleled
success which has attended its Introduction
The Order is but means to an end; and that
endi the high and noble purpose DIMINISHING
intemperance from the land. Second only tC
American Slavery, the liquor interest is the
greatest combination for evil that ever existed
on this continent; and it behooves ali the real
friends OF Temperance to band themselves to
gether against it,
The Order is silent in its workings, and 70,
this reason a few are disposed to cavil that
nothing is being done, that no aggressive
movements are made. and that no substantial
results are accomplished for the cause. But
herein consists the mistake. Silent influences
are often the most potent in carrying forward
a great work; and the most devoted temper
ance men are better satisfied with the pros
poets at the present time, than ever hereto
fore. Some object that it requires large stims
of money to carry on so many organizations
and that itmight be moreseffec tuall Y employed
in some other way to attain the same end
That trequires money for this purpose a.
does every other society for its legitimate ex
penses is even so; but other means have failed
and past experience shows conclusiyely-
the same amount would not, and probably
could not be devoted more effectually to the
purpose. >-Nh
While greatrand good work is being done
in reforming confirmed inebriates, a powerful
and restraining influence is exerted upon the
youth, and those not yet fallen, as shall for
ever preserve them from evil and vicious hab
its. Great reliance for success rests in so ed
ucating the present generation in temperance
principles, that they shall ever continue Ell
emies to this raging curse. The young mer
will soon become voters, and although they
may have no influence at present, the .thous
ands who are connecting themselves with this
organization will soon have an opportunity Of
speaking on this subject through the medium
of the ballot.
| Now if it be wiserto prevent crime in the first
place, than to punish it afterwards, it is better
to pay money for the promotion of Temper
ance than to pay taxes for. the suppor
OF the poor, and the administration of Justice
/ Si+9hl a5tJe ts FIT. L.
Our County Convention. ~. 49,