The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-04
The Temperance Mee.ir..,.-

~ The Temperance Meesing.-gv
81 The Temperance Meeting at City Hall last
sevening was one of the largest aud most en-
thusiastic gatherings that has recen tIy assem-
bled in this city. Every available foot OF space
was occupied by people who evinced an un-
fnistakable unanimity Of feeling on the Subject.
under discussion, and applauded the most rad
zeal sentiments OF the speakers to the echo
Those people who imagine that mere changes
in the machinery OF prohibition indicate a
prospective return to The old freedom of traffic
in Intoxicating beverages, may well take les
son from the proceedings of last evening. On
the platform were the old temperance yete-
rams, who, years sat the beginning OF the
temperance conflict, enlisted "for the war"
and have never taken backward step in their
work Of social reconstruction. Their career
has been series OF "iumps forward, as Ben.
Wade would say, and though the campaign is
not half over, they maintain an mistaken firm
ness through all its yicssitudes and disap-
poinments.
The meeting was called TO order by Mr.. E.
A. Saw YER who nominated Judge Davis for
chairman, and Mr.. S. A. Strout for Secretary
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Kent. Upon
assuming the chair, Judge Davis reiterated the
views which he has on previous occasions laid
before the public as to the paramount import
ance OF the temperance reform, The other
evils which afdict society, whatever their mag
nitude, are inconSiderable when compared
with intemperance. 1t costs our country alone
10000 lives and 100000 every wear. 1t
Is thee great parent Of every form of isno-
rance. disease and vice, and the irequent indif-
ference OF persons whose professions are of
such q character as to make them the especial
opponents of the evils, is incapable of expa-
nation. The question is sure to become POI
htieal one, though the temperance men would
nave 1t otherwise. A great party has ihcorpor
ated INTO its platform the principle of OPP
position to prohibiting legislation, and the
challenge thereby offered win be accepted.
By the repeal of the Constabulary law, which
may now be regarded as an accomplished fact,
the State withdraws its aid in enforcing the
| liquor law, and it remains to be seen how much
power there is in municipal governments that
may be made available in resisting the grog
shops. Judge Davis declared himself warm
friend to the Republican party, but having five
years ago postponed the agitation of the tenn
peranee question till the great national work
of that party should be accomplished, he is no
longer prepared, so far as local elections are
concerned, to subordinate the principle of pro-
hibition to any political interest whatever.
Ii we must return to the old system of free
rum, he prefers that it shouh be under the
auspices of some other party than the Repub-
licans. ~. =, ~ y - 81 ~ 81 "a
Judge Davis was followed by Rev. DR.. Thurs
ton, of Searsport, Rev. Mr.. McAllister, Princi-
pal of Westbrook. Seminary, and Rev. Err.
Reyes. Each of the speakers expressed views,
in harmony with those of the chairman and
all had satisfactory proof of the hearty approx
al of their hearers AEi.cJ 90 OE A4@A@-
The evening was happily closed by General
Dow, who spoke in his best manner and at
considerable length. In Introducing him j I'D ge
Davis alluded TO the inquiries of the Belgian
Government lately, forwarded to this State
through the State Department at Washing
ton, in reference to the workings of our liquor
laws. He said that the visit Of General Dow
to Europe had reflected honor upon the State,
and directed the attention of foreign nations
to the singular progress made by us in moral
reform. Gen. Dow said that upon his recent
return from Europe, he felt almost lost in the
streets Of Portland, owing to the great changes
that had taken place during his absence, but
this did not surprise him so much as it did to
find that the temperance question: which at
the time Of his departure he had regarded as
virtually settled, was again on trial before the
public. He insisted even more emphatically
than. the gentleman who bad preceded him,
that the evil which was checked by prohibit
sl.fi c
that the thought of any concession in its favor
was not for a moment to be entertained. The
proportion of pauperism and crime, which is
attributable to intemperance, had been too
moderately stated by previous speakers. A
recent investigation had shown that euery
pauper in the almshouse in this city with one
possible exception, owned his condition, either
directly OF indirectly, to this vice. Nine -tenths
of the crime takes it's rise from the same
source. In view OF these facts it was pre-
posterous TO talk Of licensing grog shops. The
temperance men were numerous enough at
least to prevent that If any one doubted it,.
let them he counted. They hoped not to be
driven to a count, bnt if it came to that, he
wished to be Counted in" General
Dow appealed to his hearers to bear
had been most fayorably affected by the first
Maine law, and related several anecdotes of
the sold war o. 1851, illustrating that fact
| Trade was not depressed blythe restrictions
placed upon the sale Of liquors, as many e1ro-
neously suppose, but stimulated and directed
| to Legitimate channels. In conclusion, Gen.
| Dow said that he and his associates made no
| threats, but the cause in which they were en-
| gagged was dearer to them than life, and, come
| what might, they were determined that, Heay-
| en- helping them, there should never again be
| legalized grog-shops in the State of Maine.
| The speaker was heartily applauded at almost
| every point of his address, which was enliven-
| ed by humorous anecdotes. AT the close of the
meeting the following resolutions were offered
| and adopted without dissent: J}iHg EWEe
Resotred, As the sense of this meeting. that the
traffic In Intoxicating liquors, drink Is the di-
rect cause OF most OF the poverty. pauperism suf-
tering and crime with which society is afflicted; that
its influence is to demoralze the people and to In
jure society in every department of life while no
benefit results from It to the country y =
Resosced, That to license, or in any other way 10
tioa of the planest principles OF social political
economy and of right, and highly prejudical TO the
interests of all classes of the people.
The Portland Band was in attendance and
favored the audience with excellent music at
proper intervals. ol -l are pss
ARMY AND NAVY UNION CONCERT. This
concert will come off on Thursday evening at
City Hall. 1t is to be given to the Mendels
sohn Quintettea Club of Boston, assisted by
Miss Adde S. Ryan. These same parties re
Gently gave concert in Detroit, of which the
Post snaal lie 90 folIows. 2