The Portland daily press., 1869-06-30
The State Temperance Convention

Pursuant to a call published in the papers
throughout the State, the State Temperance
Convention was held at City Hall yesterday
morning Previous to ten o'clock, the hour
for which the Convention was called, there
| were very few-not more than couple of
dozen gentlemen-assembled in the corridors
and hall, but after that time they began to
gather, and at 10 IL o'clock, the hour at which
the meeting was called to order, there were
some 200 present There seemed to be great
diversity Of opinion as to what course would
be most suitable for the party to take, as we
judged from the conversations that ensued be-
fore the meeting was organized. The old par
ty leaders were not present, such as Gen. Dow,
Woodbury. Davis, etc., but all seemed to be
earnest in their different views as to what was
X. Morrill,, Esq, Of the Gardiner Home Jour
NAL and Major Shorey of the Bath Times.
Frederic N. Dow, Esq, as Chairman of the
State Temperance Committee, called the
meeting to order and read the call under
which the meeting was held. The Rev. E. w.
Porter, of Bath, then offered prayer, after
which the Hon. Henry TaIlman, of Bath, was
elected temporary chairman unanimously.
Upon taking the chair Mr. Talman said:
He was extremely obliged for the honor con-
ferred upon him but he didn't wish to take
the position under any semblance of false pre-
tences As he understood the call the temper
ance men had met together for what would
best eventuate for the canse of temperance
There was no sucn word as fail. Their cause
was the cause of God and if it succeeded it
would rebound to their honor. Four years
ago, he said, a little band of men met in oppo-
eifiop tn tho of tho old
Whig, and Republican parties, in opposition
to Congress and even Of the Executive him
self, and it had been prospered by God till its
victory had become complete It was the an
ti-Slayery party. He thought something more
than words were meant when the divine bless
| ing had been asked. The question here aris-
ing is what is best for the cause of temperance
| to put it in advance, and temperance is Of more
| Importance than little matters of political ex-
| pediency. We are endeavOring to put away
| the create evil of the countrY-intoxicating
| drink-and if we would enforce the prohibito-
| ~ law to-day, our national debt would speedi-
| ly be paid and our iails empty 1t is said this
movement would break up the Republican
idol Of Intoxicating drink, and saddle the coun-
| try with debt, away with that party. If we
are only true TO our trusts the whole of Satan's
forces cannot put us down, Let us here form
| for Governor who is is not afraid to be known
| as strict temperance man. Also Senators,
Representatives, and delegates to the great
| National Convention at Chicago that shall rep.
resent us. Let us form National party that
shall control Congress and the President and
| show that our country is really the land of the
| free. Let us say rum, or no rum" and let
| the man who is in favor of the nomination
/ at Bangor, and those in favor of no rum, vote
for the man nominated here to-day.
| Mr.. Shorey of Bath, moved that G.. E.
Bracket Of Waldo, A. A. Knowlton of An
droscoggin; FL. X, Morrill, of Kennebec; and
Geo. S. Watson of York, be appointed Tempo
rary Secretaries.
i A committee on Permanent Organization Of
one from each county was appointed
Penobscot-John s. Kimball, Chairman
Aroostook-E Knights.
Androscoggin-Wm Lowell
Cumberland-E. H. Starbird
Franklin-C. E. Packard.
Hancock-T. B. Emery.
Kennebec-J. III. Greeley
LincOln-Saml. Clessin.
Oxford-A. III. Witham.
Knox-Oliver Stoddard.
Piscataquis-Dr. A. j. N Stevens
Somerset-Simon Connor.
Sagadahoc-Rev. Mr.. Cushman.
Waldo-Robert Hichborn.
Washington-C. w. Means
York-Dr. Oren Ross.
Rev. Geo. Prott of Knox county, was called
upon for some remarks while the committee
on organization were out. He hadn't any in
tention of speaking when he came here but in
tended to exert his influence quietly and se-
cretly. He had feeling of duty which might
not seem pleasant to him, or pleasant to 9TH
ers. He considered the present occasion a
great crisis in the affairs of the temperance
party. He considered the temperance party
had no hopes in any party in existence. Last
year they were cajoled into working with the
E.r .Aat. AL
what they were to gain by waiting still anoth-
er year he did not know. One thing he was
certain, they must either lay back aud let the
Republican party go ahead as they liked, or
they must run their own machinery as weak
| minority themselves. The delay of twelve
months had increased the difficulties of form
ing State Temperance party. He had been
told Brothers Dingley and Randall had gone
in and engineered the prohibitory resolution
| in the Republican party platform in order to
whip the Temperance men into the party
Whoever engineered the prohibitory clause of
the Republican platform had done most mis-