Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-04-23

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shows the reception which the personal
attacks on Mr.. Nye, receive from the
friends of temperance in the State.
The reports Of the Grand Officers show
the Order in admirable condition, there
being 32i Lodges IN all parts ofthe State,
with membership of 2s, 1873. The Grand
Lodge has $1,000 in It's treasury.
Hon. J. II. Orno of Mass, head of the
Order for the United States, was present
and presided portion of the time. He
reported over SOC, 900 members Of the
Order in the country, and that the number
is rapidly increasing.
Messrs. Nelson Dingley, ir., of Lewis
Ton, II r. Taylor Of Machias, j. +. {.
SAWYER of Bath, Zcnas Thompson Of
Watcrvillc, were elected Delegates To
attend the session of the National Lodge
Mt Oswego, y. Y, May 25 1869.
Messrs. F. y. Dow of Portland. III A.
Shorey of Bath. and III. K. Taylor Of
Machias, were continued rs Lecture Com
,nittec. and $1,000 was appropriated to
dcfray the expenses of the State lecturers
in behalf OF temperance and the order,
Tor the next six months.
One thousand dollars was appropriated
towards the fund being raised for the
General State Temperance Committee
appointed by the temperance convention
nj Augusta. last winter, for the purpose
of advancing the cause of temperance, by
circulating temperance tracts, and other
means.
The committee on State of the cause,
md on the execution of laws against rum
shops, showed that reports from every
part of the State indicate m ovcrwhelm-
ing tide of incompetence in nj but few
counties. and in most OF the State almost
entire neglect TO execute the law against
tipping shops; except now and then \
spasmodcal prosecution of two or three
The earnest efforts of temperance men
the past winter. had impro' ed the con-
dition slightly. but it was said that the
influence of large proportion of the
party leaders is cxertcd to discourage any
temperance work, and particularly the
execution of laws against rum shops. In
some cases that where few earnest
temperance men had instituted prosecu-
lions. il was asserted that for party
purposes they had been discontinued
Great complaint was made that many
County Attorneys were unfaithiul, and
that in general large majority of the
political leaders on both sides are throw
inc their influences either directly or
indirectly so as 10 make friends with the
liquor interest The report concluded
with the Judgment that unless the State
shall provide State police to execute tn"
pruhibi,ory law. most of our communities
will soon be overrun with liquor shops
The question "a 10 what is the duty OF
temperance men in the present cNigency
of the cause, came up on report OF com
lnittee on the political duties OF temper
ance men This report called ont very
animated di ,cusSon. There was united
EXPIRE ion Of opinion that, with the ex-
ceptions of W counties, the influence
of both the parties ~ represented by their
leaders. i being thrown against the cause
of temperance. The same complaint
was made against the political press. and
many speakers expressed the opinion that
unless something should bc Immediately
done 10 counteract this influence the
cause OF temperance would be ruined. IL
was charged that the interests of tenn
perance have been and are being sacrificed
10 gain few votes.
The resolution reported by the COM
mittee requesting the State Temperance
committee 10 call a State Convention OF
friends of temperance after the other
political conventions are held, In case
their action shall not be DENIED satisfactory,
was amended bv an overwhelming vote
and passed in the following form -
Resolved. That the eXigencles OF the
cause of temperance at this tune require
that its friends should make organized
resistance at the ballot-boX, to all candi-
dates Tor public Office OF whatever poiiti-
cal party. who are not practical sup
porters Of the cause, or who in the dis
charge oftheir official duties would ignore
the temperance sentiment OF their con
stituents.
Res0Ired, That the Grand Lodge re-
spectfnnv requests the general State
Temperance Executive Committee TO I'M
mediately call State Convention oil the
friends Of temperance for the purpose OF
consulting with reference to the present
condition of the cause, and OF decidihg
upon such measures as may De aeehleu
necessary to advance the interests oil
movement more important in its financial,
social and moral bearings, than any other
question before the public.
The discussion showed that there is
very strong feeling for the formation OF
new temperance and reform party IN this
State unless the republican party sha'i
place themselves on the Temperance plat
form they formerly occupied and shall
nominate for governor one regarded as
true friend of temperance. Some gentle
men favored going through the next
canvass with the republican party but
voting against any unsatisfactory nomlna-
tons. We understand that meeting oil
the State Temperance Committee is to be
held May 18th, to consider the Proprety
NJ calling convention of all the friends