The Portland daily press., 1866-11-24


The County Association met at yarmouth
on Wednesday-in the afternoon, at the bap-
+;s+ j., the evening at the First Parish meet
inc house. Though ample notice had been Civ
an and large expectations were raised, the af-
ternoon was small, being mainly composed of
delegates from adjacent towns, the chief of
whom was from "Blackstrap" in Falmouth
They numbered between thirty and forty, and
came with their banners flying, as devoted
band of TEMPERANCE men and women as can be
found in the State or out.
The meeting was called to order by the Pres
ident, e. H. Starbird, ESQ. In the absence of
the Secretary Chas. Baker, Esq, OF this city,
was appointed Secretary pro TEN. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Allen of this city. Capt.
Button of the English Steamer Hibernian,
| was then called to the stand and offered few
stirring remarks. An essay on Home Infiu-
| ence" was read by F. M. Pray, ESQ.,, of Sacca-
| Kappa, clear, pertinent and scholarly produc-
ton, Astounding in rich thoughts and timely
suggestions.
The essay was followed by special remarks in
a similar direction by o. s. Beale, Esq, which
were admirable in style, sound in sentiment,
and highly satisfactory. Rev. MT. Jordan of
Cumberland being called upon, in lieu of re-
marks of his own, read letter addressed to
the Association by Rev. Isaac Weston, VEN
cradle clergyman s'now living in the shadow of
eighty years" The letter expressed deep in
terest in the Association and gratitude to God
for what it had accomplished in staying the
scourge of intemperance. A few sensible and
apt remarks Rev. Messrs Sanborn of Freeport
and Freeman of Peaks Island closed an in
teresting and profitable session.
The gathering in the evening was large, al
though In view of the delightful weather the
house ought to have been crowded. But ii
was meeting long to be remembered-as af-
fording a rich intellectual and moral repast
Rarely has it been our privilege to listen any
where, before any assembly or at any time, to
remarks more appropriate, condensed, elo-
quent, impressive and effective than on this
occasion.
| Prayer at the opening was offered by Rev
Mr.. Abbott of Yarmouth. Then came an es-
say on public Opinion considered as an aux
iiary to our cause" read by Hon. Chas. Hol-
den ofthis city. 1t were difficult to speak too
highly of this production. It was the key note
to subsequent remarks in which frequent allu-
sion was made to its admirable adaptation to
the times 1t may be hoped that this and the
essay by Mr. Ray, will be published in the
Echo-a temperance paper just started in this
city.
On conclusion of the essay the committee ON
resolutions reported series which declare the
necessity of exhibiting the nature and effects
of intoxicating drinks before the young; that
upon the church, voluntary associations, the
the press and the Law is our chief reliance for
success; the Importance of circulating the
pledge and more extensive organization; SYM
pathy with every society which urges the to-
tai abstinence and the application of law; and
conclude with following:
ResotUed, That, in view of the nature and
effects of intoxicating drinks; the utter ruin
| they bring upon individuals the terrible an
| guish and desolation upon families, and the
| widespread disaster upon community; in view
OF the large number of protested Christians
and the moral power of the Church; in view
| of the large numerous friends of Temperance
and the extensive influence OF their various Or
/ carnations; and especially in view of the
Maine law which is entirely prohibitory of the
sale OF intoxicating drinks, simple and direct
| In all its provisions and no more difficult of
| execution than other laws--it is not only
passing wonder but lasting disgrace that
| single grogsphop should be suffered in any
portion of the State
Following the reading of the resolutions, re-
marks referring generally to the subject mat
ter OF the essays were made by Rev. Mr.. Allen,
Mayor Stevens, Capt. button and Messrs.
Walton, f. A. Dow, Rich, Sawyer, Kimball,
| and A. j. Chase, in strain to which allusion
has already been made. But while endeavor-
| ing to avoid invidious remark, we cannot for
| bear to add that the addresses of Mr.. Allen
and Mayor Stevens were models of speaking
MIR. Allen, as well as others named, being
practiced speaker, although sounding the
depths of the soul, awakened no SURPRISE
But the mayor always distinguished for his
good sense and propriety of expression, took
us at unawares, and elected frequent and
hearty applause. Indeed, to sum I'D the mat
ter, in common but significant phrase-"he
can't be beat" The presence of Capt Dutton
was highly gratifying and his remarks, al
though little severe upon "thick-beaded John
BUR In the matter of temperance, were gem
erous towards Americans, alike humorous and
serious, and excited the liveliest interest
Thanks were voted to the citizens for hos
pitality, to the proprietors of the churches in
which the convention assembled and to the
choirs-the last in the evening numbering for
ty to fifty, and both furnishing the choicest
music. Voting to meet at Freeport in Decem-
ber the convention, highly gratifed and
instructed, adjourned. -.