Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-10

. triumph of the temperance cause essentially de-
ponds upon the integrity of the pulpit and the
press on the subject we propose as one of the
questions for free discussion In the convention To-
day, the one proposed at the last meeting viz;
'Whnt can be done to awaken a deeper interest
in the temperance work among the clergy and in
2 Resolved that as friends of total abstinence we
recognize as valuable Of reform, all organiza-
tionst whether open or secret, whose banners
hibitton.
g. Resolved, that while we fully believe in moral
suasion as the primary power in our movement, we
tee that to be successful and complete 1t should be
supplemented by prOhibitory legislation.
a. Resolved, that earnest labor is absolutely neces-
sary to accomplish lasting reform, and that to this
end 1t is the duty of every friend of temperance TO
live temperance, talk temperance, vote temperance
and work temperance, so that the fallen may be
raised and the tempter scourged from the land
g.. Resolved, that the apathy and inconsistency of
professed temperance men great stumbling
blocks in the way Of successful advance, and give
aid and comfort to the enemy.
6. Resolved, that the operation of the present
beer law is equivalent TO free trade in all the intox
icating liquors, and Is doing more injury to the
morals of the people than five years of legislation
can remedy.
7. Resolved, that we are gratifed to learn that
very active and hopeful revival of temperance Is In
progress amo2g Irish fellow-citizens in Worces
ter by the resuscitation of the Father Mathew tenn
peTance society with its pledge and general hopeful
influences.
s. Resolved that we hal with delight the organ.
ization in this commonwealth of state temperance
society," for the special work of promoting the cause
of moral ana religious means through such agencies
as the pulpit the press and the lecture rOOm the for
nation of auxiliary societies, cold water armies the
signing of the pledge, and all such agencies as have
long proved themselves efficient for the purpose
of spreading the principles of total abstinence from
all intoxicating drinks ms a.bcverage.
The first speaker upon the resolutions, which
were taken up one after another in course, was
Thomas Mortimer Derrick of Worcester, the
originator of the recent revival in the Father
Mathew temperance organization of this city
He expressed his great pleasure at being present
as it was the first speech he had made before any
meeting Of his American fellow citizens since he
had been in this country, some three years. He
alluded to his connection with temperance or
CARNATIONS in the old country, from which great
good had resulted, and he hoped important re-
suits from the efforts now being made here. The
Father Mathew temperance society, which he
represented on this occasion, had been in ex-
iStence twenty years. but, until the recent re-
vival, it had consisted of only one hundred
members; within the last four weeks it had in
creased to three hundred. He acknowledged
the active and efficient support of his American
brethren in bringing about this result, and he
should continue TO do what he could, in his
humble way, for the further progress of the
cause among his people and others. Mr.. Der
rck's remarks were listened to with great inter.
est.
Mr.. S. S. Foster of Worcester followed in one
of his earnest characteristic speeches, advocat-
ing more thorough prohibitory policy and the
formation of a separate political party therefor,
as the only sure means Of putting down the rum
traffic.
Mr.. Joseph A. Rowland of Worcester said
what was specially needed now was the creation
of a more elevated moral sentiment in the COM
munity. No law could be properly sustained
without a sufficient moral force behind it to
support it. He commended the Father Mathew
temperance movement as most timely. In
fnitely more good could be accomplished to-
ward the conversion of Irishmen to temperance
in this way than by bringing them before the
police court. The OVERLOOKING numbers at their
meetings indicated the deep interest and great
influence for good which would result there
from. Mr.. H. concluded by offering some reso-
lutions, which were referred to the committee on
resolutions, and by them reported back to the
q
The remainder of the forenoon session was oc-
cupied with remarks from Rev. Mr.. Norton, of
Northbridge on the duty ofclergymen to preach
temperance. Any minister who skipped over
his duty in this regard was unfit to preach the
gospel, which included temperance and total
abstinence among the cardinal Christian virtues
One hour was very pleasantly spent in
the disposition of the bouDtiful collation. in
the vcstry of the church, provided by the ladies
and citizens of Auburn, Of which those present
were invited by Rev Mr. Davis to partake. Grace
was asked by Rev. Mr.. Bates of Saundersville
The discussion and final disposition of the res
olutions occupied the entire afternoon session,
in which earnest and effective remarks were
made by Rev. MIR. Bates, Geo. W. Hobbs, Esq,
S. s. Foster, Ephraim Beaman, Joseph a. How
land and j. F. Manning, of Worcester, L. 6.
Warren and Rev. Mr.. Davis of Auburn, Mr.
Mecorney of Worcester, and others, Mr.. Fos-
ter offered the following resolution, as substi-
tute for the third one reported by the commit.
tee:
Resolved, that temperance at the present day in
wolves three fundamental principles, viz, total abb
stnence for the individual prohibition for the state
and political party thoroughly committed to the
enforcement Of prohibition one of its fundamen-
al principles.
This was laid on the table by a vote of IS to
25, to come up for discussion at the next meet
ing.
The excellent singing by the choir, George
Bancroft leader, under the direction of Mr.. H.
S. Rice of this city, added greatly to the interest
of the occasion. After vote of thanks to the
Congregational society in Auburn for the use OF
their church, to the choir for their excellent
singing, and the people of Auburn for their
hospitable entertainment, the meeting adjourn
ed. The next quarterly session will be held in
Blackstone, June Sth.