The Portland daily press., 1869-09-03
ILLINOIS,.

FAILURE OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY.
CHICAGO, Sept. 2-The Farmers and Mer-
chants Insurance Company of Quincy, ILL.,,
has failed, with more liabilities than assets
NEW TUNNEL.
The board of public works in this city has
decided to prepare the way for another tunnel
under the lake, to be sixty feet beneath the
surface. The work will occupy three years,
and 1T will cost about 81 100000.
NATIONAL TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.
The National Temperance Convention reas-
sembled at 9 o'clock. A letter from Hon. e.
U. DelOvan, the veteran apostle of temperance,
was read, opposing the license system, prohi-
tlon and the formation of a third political par
ty, beheylng prohibitory legislation is useless
unless there lies vast controlling moral SEN
ument bearing it up and giving it force. he
argues in favor of efforts to bring q strong
moral influence to bear upon the evil OF intem-
perance.
Mr.. Rason, of New Jersey, read the plat
Whereas protection and allegiance are recip-
rocal duties, and every citizen who yields Obe-
dience to the Just commands of his government
is entitled to full and complete protection
from that government in the enjoyment of per-
sonal security, personal liberty and private
property; and
Whereas, the traffic in intoxicating drinks
greatly impairs personal security and personal
private property insecure; and
Whereas, existing parties are hopelessly un-
willing to adopt an adequate policy on this
question,
Therefore, We in National Convention as
sembled as citizens of this free Republic shar-
ing in the duties and responsibilities Of its gov
ernment in the discharge of the solemn duty
we owe to our country and race, unite in the
following declaration of principles:
First, That while we acknowledges the pure
~
patriots who laid broad and deep foundations
for this government, securing the rights of
States severally and their inseperable union
by the Federal Constitution, would not merely
garnigh the sepulchres of our Republican faith
ers, but we do hereby renew our solemn pledges
of fealty and religious liberty embodied in the
Declaration of American Independence and our
Federal Constitution.
Second, That traffic in intoxicating beverages
is a dishonor to Christian civilization, inimical
to the best interest of society, political wrong
of unequaled enormity, subversive of the or
dinary objects OF government not capable of
being regulated or restrained by any system of
license whatever, but imperatively demanding
for its suppression effective legal prohibition
both by State and National Legislatures.
Third, That in view Of this, and inasmuch
as existing political parties either oppose or
ignore this great and paramount question, and
absolutely refuse to do anything toward the
suppression of the rum traffic, which is rob-
bing the nation of its brightest intellects, de-
stroying its national prosperity and undermin-
ing its very foundation, we are driven by an
imperative sense of duty to sever our connec-
ton with these political parties, to organize
ourselves into national anti-dram shop party,
having for its primary object the entire sup
preston of the traffic in intoxicating drinks
Fourth, While we adopt the name of Anti
Dram Shop Party, as expressive Of our prim-
ary object, and while we denounce all repudi-
alton of the public debt, and pledge fidelity to
the Declaration of Independence and the Fed
eral Constitution, we deem it inexpedient to
give prominence to other Jlitical issues.
Fyh, That Central Executive Committee
of one from each State and territory AMI Dis
trict of Columbia be appointed by the Chair,
whose duty it shall be to take such action as in
their Judgment will best promote the interests
of the party.
The third plank of the platform called out
vigorous discussion. During the discussion
resolution was introduced and passed by a
unanimous vote that the name of the party be
the National Temperance Party" The dis
cusslon continued until the convention ad-
On re-assembling at P. M. the discussion
of the third plank was resumed. The third
resolution as reported by the committee was
adopted with but one dissenting voice.
Mr.. French of Massachusetts offered q resO-
luton that temperance men in each State and
territory will not be committed by any action
of this convention to organize distinct political
parties in their respective localities until in
their Judgment the interests of the temperance
cause be better promoted thereby.
MIR. Bloss of Illinois offered a substitute to
the fourth resolution, that, having declared
that all persons have a right to be protected in
person and propeaty against the liquor traffic,
they hold that means to secure that protection
is equally right; therefore suffrage should be
impartial, without regard to nationality, color
or sex.
The amendment after debate was rejected
and the resolution adopted.
The fifth resolution was passed unanimously.
The Secretary offered the following resolu-
tiOn, which was adopted unanimously:
heS0tUed, That while we recognize the good
providence OF Almighty God in supervising
the interests of this nation from its establish
ment to the present time we would not in Or
ganizing our party for the legal prohibition of
the liquor traffic forget that our reliance for ul
innate sue cess must be upon the same Omnip-
Otent arm.
The preamble was adopted and the whole
platform then adopted by a rising vote with
three cheers and tiger.
Hon. Garrett Smith presented and read a
long address which he had prepared Half
dozen or more motions were made to strike
out from Mr.. Smiths address certain express
siOns which were deemed offensive or not in
good taste. The address was finally recon-
mitted to committee for the purpose of con-
densing it. The convention then adjourned
till 7.3O P. M.
At the evening session an address presented
by Garrett Smith in the afternoon and referred
back to him was recalled and adopted. This
was followed by addresses from various persons
after which the convention adjourned sine die