Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-16
Dixfeld, July Sth. 1868.
independence celebration a. sumner.

l'iNHtiii, ouiN cih' iDNP'
independence Celebration Mt Summer.
EAST SUMNER, July 9TH, 1869.
The FOURTH was very appropriately
observed on the third at Capt. Lewis
Bisbec's grove in Sumner, by the several
Good Templar Lodges of the vicinity, to-
oether with the friends oftemperance gem
orally. Notwithstanding the heat it was
very comfortable in the grove, and every
thing seemed TO contribute to render the
occasion happy one. The Lodges APP
peared with neat and appropriate banners
and were well represented Capt. II. ;.
Coburn of West Sumner Lodge, was cho-
sen President of the day, and took the
chair with appropriate remarks.
The Declaration of Independence was
read by II. c. Field of Invincible Lodge
East Sumner. Prayer was offered by Rev.
II. II. Hutchinson ofSumner, after which
cold America was sung. The President
of the dav then introduced Hon. Sidney
Perham of Paris, rs the Orator OF the day.
The address, rs might be expected, was
an admirable one, well suited TO the day
and the ion, and was well received
and commended by those who heard 1t.
The theme was-Intemperence as Ma
tional evil The speaker, rs iswell known
has seen some of the workings OF tins
great evil in the high and aristocratic cir
Giles at the National Capitol, and truly
declares that all other evils so prevalent,
sink into comparative insigniticance with
this alarming and threatening monster
Intemperance is yearly working the rum
OF thousands of intellectual beings, who
otherwise might be an ornament to society
and an honor to the parents that gave
them birth. He produces statistics from
an eminent statistician, showing thatthe
arc to-day over COO, 600 drunkards in the
land. OF this number 1000 die annual
". and still the number is not depleted
but augmented, showing The sad fact that
60, 900 of our Young men and women, that
ought 10 he the hope and pride ofthe land
arc being fitted annually forthe drunkard
infumy.
The speaker remarked that he was yet
hopeful of our National Capitol lntem-
IL.
perancc i becoming more unpopular
We have some men that dare 10 lift up
their voices against it. 1t has been apopu-
lar custom at the public receptions to fur
nish choice wines and liquors. But he
had not learned that President Grant and
that vice President ColfaX had initiated
the bad example of some of their prede-
cessors. Quite number of our popular
and eminent Representatives and Sena-
tors. have had the moral courage to cry
ont against this awful curse of mankind.
The time has already dawned whena man
can be respected and honored whose
breath is not polluted with the fumes OF
alcohol.-But we will not attempt to re-
port the address; suffice it to say that it
did credit to its author, and gave general
satisfaction to those who availed thenI-
selves of the happy privilege of listening
to it.
Ample refreshments were provided and
c.onl,- J;-norsnJ AZ noon
In the afternoon the following toasts and
sentiments were read and responded to.
The day we pended to in a
happy manner by Rev Mr. Hutchinson of
sumner; Defamation by j. Walter Stet-
son; Poem by William Bicknell, Esq,
NIartford) in which that gentleman did
his best; Sentiment-Thc Temperance
Cause the cause of God and Humanity
very ably responded to by Mr.--1lask
of Kenduskeag. Mr.. Lyman W. Forbes,
of Boston, was then called upon aud
favored the audience with some iorciblc
and pertinent remarks. Next that old
champion and veteran in the temperance
cause Seth Sampson, ESD, made few
remarks calculated to encourage the
Younger workers. He exhorted the young
to cultivate habits Of temperance and not
be afraid to stand up boldly and work for
the good of the glorious cause; Sentiment
The Order of Good Templars the Hope
of the Temperance Cause; esponded to
by Hon. Sidney Perham, in his usual
impressive manner. After unanimous
vote of thanks to the orator, and tho eX-
ecution of ''Old Hundred by the congre-
CATION, the crowd dispersed. The music
for the occasion was furnished by the East
and West Sumner Glee Clubs, and was
admirably executed, and formed an inter-
esting feature in the exercises. Altogether
the occasion was happy one, and will
long be remembered rs successful effort
of the friends Of temperancc, to observe
the day properly and proGtably.
- 0 SLoCuM
We learn from the Portland Press
that during the thunder storm of Thurs
day afternoon, the dwelling house OF Mr..