The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-06-18
WASHINGTON CoRRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. d. c. June Is, lsG


EDITOR UNION AND JOURNAL the riot that
referred TO in my last. upon election day, did
not prove so serious rs was at first supposed; no
deaths have resulted from the ARRAY, and those
injured have nearly recovered. Tie Conserve
tive element Of this city. however, have taken
occasion 10 attribute the riotous proceeding to
the extension Of the elective franchise TO the
colored race, and with great assumption they
assert that they predicted just this state Of
things. Undoubtedly they forgot the riots that
have so frequently taken place in New York
city by the adherents TO their party, and which
have often been Of a serious nature
The recent election was brilliant triumph
for the Republican party. Two years ago this
city was Democratic; but last Monday IL was
carried by the Republicans by about 5000 ma
jority. Such victory proves conclusively that
the colorcd race know how TO cast their ballots,
and that they will be true 10 their friends; and
4 overthrows entirely the oft-repeated statement
that owing to their ignorance they will be rs
likely TO vote one way as another.
The Twenty-iflh National Convention Of the
Sons Of Temperance in this city, has been de-
eided success. Liberal arrangements had been
made by the friends Of this great enterprise, to
entertain all who should attend the meetings,
and the hospitality of the residents of this city
undoubtedly remember for years To come their
generous reception by the friends Of temperance
at the National Capital. Prom the report Of
the Worthy Scribe give the following. which
may interest some Of your readers:
his REGULARLY apprOpsia. that this our twenty an
nual convention which Il also tho twentyhh anniversary
Of the organization a this body shOuh h. he'll In this
the capital Of the country In which the order originated
During that twenty-five years important and radical
In nv
goysrnel. Much that entirely under Tie coOtroi OF
this body has been given into the hanls 81 suhcrnaie d-
visions dreet the Pov,rs q grand divisions have zen
% be regulated by the grand divisions % the several jurs-
dctiOns. Whie % cur Oil members may think We
have given M too much OF onr power others see IN these
changes but The unerring prccss q the agr AMI all
gratinel that ~ Few APPEALS are now brought hs"re
this holy Cor settlement. The almost universe abaDon-
ment Of the beneficial ature by the several subonaes
has removed the fruitful 81 the apcls, and
opcned the way Cor general temperance work. The
business % the division Is nov largely composed 81 dis
cusscns the most efficient manner OF promoting The IN
tercsts Of the In the localities II the divisions. The
age At which members admitted has been reducsl nom
eghteSn b burteen and the youth can now visit the d
vision with the parcu AMI the temptations when sur
thrvagh the fundamentally Of our order. Woman has
Coz the past hecu years had footing In our divisonaDd
hsr pryiges have been extended, until she can now be
admitted 70 the fun rights q membership, giving her the
power her heart has loog desire Our limits
have beSn extenel, and influence spread, until on
this eoutinent within every state district, PrOynce, &C
Territory q the United states the British Domnicns,
be ound those who have h the influence u the order
and rcjocsd at the snouess Il has achieved.
The relation Of the colorei divisions Of the
Sons Of Temperance to the National Division
was discussed somewhat, but no definite action
was taken upon the subject II seemed TO be
the general impression that il would be well
to let the eolorcd people organize their own di-
visions and transact their own business. This
seems to me to be the correct theory. A grand
| public reception was given TO the National Di-
vision at the Congregational church on Thurs
day evening last, on which occasion Gen. o. o..
Howard. (uho Is, by the way. Past Worthy Pa
triarch Of Howard Division Of this city.) in a
very few brief words welcomed the Natiopal
Division, and introduced the officers TO the Grand
Division Of this District. Among the speakers
who participated ON that occasion were Hon.
Mr.. Whitman Of New Brunswick and DIR. Lees Of
England; the latter made n most impressive
speech. IL was generally concurred in that n
prohibtory law was what was needed, and that
without such law, not much advance could be
made in the temperance reform. IL cannot be
dcnicd that the idea Of prohibition is rapidly
gaining friends l remember that year or
two since, In attending the meetings OF the
washington Temperance Society" Of this city,
rarely heard speaker refer to the Importance
Of legislating against intemperanee, and the
mention Of a "Nlaine Law would drive large
number out Of the hall; but this, now. Is gen
orally the theme Of the meetings, and certain
" should be safe in prclicting that u public
opinion increases as rapidly In favor OF prohi-
hilton, In other places as Il does here, We shall
have. within q very few years, laws to prevent
the sale Of intoxicating drinks, as beverage. In
all the States Of the Union. Hon. Neal Dow Of
your State was advertised to be present ut the
public reception referred 10, but was not able to
fulfil his engagement. have no doubt that his
name, to great extent, was the occasion Of the
Immense audience that hal gathered there, and
MI, absence was great disappointment
II said that "Union is strength" and tho
sSAas'npnneaiion Of this motto Is often seen.
Sl'oe ,he large exodus from the Congregational
church Of this city. !, has materially imnroycd.
. apoa' e,ery Desirable pc~ on the acor has been
nAen' and the eliacc. which has for months