Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-01

York, Charles Hill.
The committee on permanent organization,
reported the following officers -
President-His Excellency Sidney Perham.
Secretaries-Fred L. Shaw. of Paris Geo
+. Bracket, of Belfast.
Vice-Presidents-Cha Hill, York; S.
l.. Carleton, Cumberland; Henry Tallman,
Sagadahoc; E. G. Harlow, Oxford; Joshua
Nye, kennebec; Alex. Black, Waldo; ii.
ID. Prentice, Penobscot; c. A. Packard, Pts
cataquis; B. ID. Russell, Franklin; j. A.
Hail. Lincoln; Hiram Stevens, Arrostook :;
Sewell Tenney, Hancock; d. T. Stevens,
Androscoggin.
The Committee on Permanent Organza-
ton were appointed a Committee to await
upon the Governor and inform him of his
election as presiding officer of the Conven-
ton.
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
The permanent organization of the Con-
yention being effected, the President, Hon.
Sidney Perham, appeared and took the chair.
Mr.. Perham said his words would be few, as
he understood this to be meeting more par
ticularly for business. lie was happy to meet
on this occasion body of earnest, working
men and women from all parts of the State,
engaged in a common interest which is hardly
second to any other interest which may en-
gage the attention. Temperance men are ac-
cused of entertaining but one idea, but he
would ask what are all the issues before the
nation compared with those involved in the
great cause that brings us together? What
question now before the country is more i'm
portant than this? Important as other ques-
tons may be, of themselves, this lies at the
very foundation. The success and prosper
ity of the State and nation depend more upon
the triumph of this cause than any other, save
the Christian religion. Fifty thousand VIC
Tins of intemperance in this country are march
ing annually in solemn procession to drunk
ards graves. What procession of misery
and degradation In view of this annual
sacrifice to monster so terrible as intemper-
ance, every man and woman should have a
deep interest in the temperance cause. The
Governor was very warmly received
Mr.. S. L. Carleton, of Portland, was glad
to come up to this annual gathering at the
capital, and was glad that we have a Chief
Magistrate who can find time to preside at a
temperance convention. He thought that
liquor-selling was SO opposed to the Gospel
that it was necessary to remove the rum shops
before the preaching of the Gospel would
have much effect.
Rev. Smith Baker, of Orono, chairman of
the committee on resolutions, reported the
following series:
RESOLVED, That we humbly thank our
Heavenly Father for his blessing upon the
agencies employed in advancing the Temper
ance cause, and for the success which has
thus far been achieved.
RESOLVED, That while we are encouraged
by the success thus far attained, our obser-
walton compels US to confess that the vice of
intemperance is still unceasing in its work of
destruction with our youth, and in sowing
- l.. -
and death.
RESOLVED, That we call upon all good men
and women in our commonwealth to unite
with us in the use of all proper means to Sc
cure the practice of total abstinence by all
the people, and the suppression of the sale of
Intoxicating drinks as a beverage.
RESOLVED, That as in saving the youth we
save the land, we rejoice in the formation of
youths temperance societies, and recommend
that such organizations be formed in all our
communities.
RESOLVED, That since the Gospel of Christ
embodies all real reform, we look to the
churches and ministers of Christ to lead in
this Temperance reform, by educating the
public conscience to the true idea of christian
self denial and labor for the reclamation of
the fallen and protection of the tempted.
RESOLVED, That experience has abundant
ly shown the wisdom and necessity of laws
prohibiting the sale of Intoxicating liquors as
beverage, and we rejoice that this principle
has become the settled policy of the State.
RESOLVED, That we most heartily second
the recommendation of the Congressional
Temperance Society, asking that the friends
of temperance throughout the country unite
in general and systematic effort to conse-
crate the 22d of February to the temperance
work, in which public temperance meetings
shall be held in all our towns and cities for
the purposes of awakening the hearts and
consciences of the people upon this all-impor-
tant question; and we earnestly call upon the
friends oftemperance in this State to use their
utmost endeavors to secure the proper observ-
ance of this day by holding public temperance
meetings in all our towns and cities, for the
discussion of this question and the general
circulation of the pledge of total abstinence.
RESOLVED, That while the constitution OF
our State makes it the duty of the Governor
..to take care that the laws be faithfully exc
cuted," we suggest whether it be not the duty
of the legislative branch of our government to
place in his hands police force which shall
enable him to meet the requirements OF the
constitution when the local officers neglect or