The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-11

TEMPERANCE Observation-Disclosures BY REvs
ALFRED CooKMAE, JOHN MOORE. AND OTHERS,
in the Second Dutch Reformed Church tRev
Il. DE Witt Talmage), Seventh street. above
Brown The attendance was very large, and
ali seemed deeply impressed with the exer-
cses. The inclemency of the weather, no
doubt, prevented many from participating, but,
nevertheless, the deep interest manifested by
all gives hope that they will profit by what they
heard, and unite all their energies in further
ing the temperance cause
The exercises were opened by the singing of
trio from AaiLd. Rev. DIR. Henderson then led
III duett of 1.-THE Swallows" was then rem
dered with splendid effect.
Rev. T.. De Witt 1almage presided.
In introducing Rev. Alfred Cookman, he
said-FIiends OF the cause OF Temperance. l
have to congratulate you on the entertainment
that you viii have this evening. l Will not
detain you with any extended remarks. Allow
me to Introduce to you the eloquent Rev. Dr.
Goodman.
He did not expect to be called on so soon or so
suddenly. His object was TO hear the subject
under consideration before he branched out
and entered upon any eloquent remarks, as you
have been pleased to denomlnaJe them, Will
simply make few remarks respecting TINS
vital matter, 1t impresses me as rather an
extraordinary thing for n UlGin-iac-I place
special emphasis on the 7ndi, part of the word
TO appear before an intelligent audience 10
speak upon any subject, but especially respect
ing the madness which has been occasioned by
intoxicating drink. l am here this evening,
not from lunaio asylum, not from the
gloomy cell of an infuriated madman but am
here from one OF the most comfortable of earthly
homes, in order that l may bear my humble
testimony against a drink which, in ten thou
sand instances, has hurled reason from Its
honored throne, and made 1t necessary TO
manacle the limbs of man made after Gods
own image. Nor, sir, am l to be intimidated in
this discharge of my duty by the utterance of
any oppTobrious epithets. Maniacs, 1 thank
them for 1t. glory in IL. Standing before the
intelligent people of Philadelphia, would en-
poy the language of Christianitys great cham
pon, and say l would that all who see me to-
night, aye, and every citizen of this city and tn
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, aye, and
the entire world, Iwould that every living bein
were not almost, but altogether such AS l
in this respect. If am q maniac, rejoice TO
know that / am free and untrammelled
maniac. No clanking chains are attached TO
these limbs. | stand tonight upon Americas
soil, and rejoice thatI am among Btbe-lovtng
people. The whisky-sellers of this country
| charge us with an unwarrantable interference
| with their rights and privileges. 1t was only
short time since, appare lily, that proprietor
! of one of these misera ble establishments, in
his chagrn and disap 5ointment occasioned
| by the action OF the authorities in the discharge
| OF their sworn duties in closing his miserable
groggery on the Sabbath day, provided him
it in large capitals, Liberty is Dead"
and set it up over the. gateway of his
| establishment. "LiDerty is dead" Dead to
| those children of another race who on this
western continent are tonight rejoicing and
/ eXulting in the liberty wherewlth they have so
| kind of liberty this is? Liberty to blast noble
hopes, to blight encouraging prospects, to crush
| innocent hearts, to desolate happy homes to
| ruin character to undermine health, to blind
| LIES pathway, and invest eternity with terri
| BILE darkness. Aye, Liberty is dead Would
| that the liberty of every rumseller was twice
| dead and torn up by the roots. The liberty of
| the rumseller is one of the most fearful curses
| that ever affected poor, suffering. struggling
| humanity. l rejoice to know that there is
great zeal being exhibited in this thing, and
wolf is revealing himself, his eye-balls are red
| with rum and rage and his fearful howlings
past will help us to overthrow him. God is on
| our side; the angels are on our side TRUTH
human symPathy' ana tne Ghurch are ON on our a,
on our side. In every page of our statute book
| the law acknowledges prohibition. The same
law which guards against the sale of putrid
| meats and other articles calculated to injure
| our fellow men, should govern us in relation
TO the sale of liquor. Let us put this evil against
which we as temperance men are fighting, in
the same category as we place lotteries, gam
| bling houses and other great evils. Those who
are guilty OF selling Intoxicating liquors appear
to be insensible of the injury they are doing to
those to whom they deal out these poisonous
drugs. Look at the vast number of children
and women who are made unhappy and sent to
| our Almshouse and prisons through the evil
resulting from this vice. Husbands and fathers
drink and their families feel the unhappy con-
sequences. Let us approach for moment the
keeper OF one OF these houses where deadly
poison is sold. and argue the case with the pro-
| prietor, He will charge us with bigotry, and
exultantly turn away shaking his bag OF dollars
| not do Fifty years have been employed to
| avert this evil, and yet 1t exists among us. We
| must have moral Suasion in connection with
| healthy legislation. The speaker here referred
to the noble course of Governor Geary in refer:
| enoe to this matter, and looked to him to stand
| by the reform, and thus aid in saving from ruin
| multitudes who are fast going down the road to
| ruin lin consequence OF INDUCING in strong
| drink
| Rev, John Moore followed in an able address
| which was listened TO by all present with
| marked attention.
Tie hour having arrived to adjourn the
| meeting, Rev. Mr. Talmage who would other.
wise have spoken, said 1t would be very intem'
perate to prolong the proceedings. He then
pronounced the benediction.