Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-23

so would the speaker treat the common enemies of
religion and humanity, and show them up to the
world in their true character Further discussion
followed after which the resolutions were adopted
Mr.. McKeown offered the following, which he sup.
ported in an able and earnest address:
Resolved, that, while continuing ourselves strictly
to moral and religious effort, we seek in such effort
the creation of public sentiment which shall up
hold the wholesome laws of the commonwealth
against the traffic in alcoholic drinks.
The resolution, after being endorsed by Hon. p,
emory Aldrich, Mr.. Mecorney occupying the chair,
was unanimously adopted. Short addresses were
made by several gentlemen after which the conven-
ton dissolved, with the understanding that pub
lie meeting would be held in the evening.
In the evening, the audience was small but the
programme was carried out, and Rev. Mr.. Bowles
gave an interesting address. The speaker denomi-
mated the movement begun by the state organiza-
ton, aud carried on by the society formed during
the day, as the "new departure in the temperance
cause 1t was movement new at least just now,
but not so new twenty-five years ago. The convic-
tion has been gaining ground among the friends of
the reform that too much importance has been ac-
corded to the idea of prohibitions in fact that pro-
hibiion has become looked upon as the end to be
gained, rather than as one of many means for the
grand end to be achieved. While, on any other &C.
casion, the speaker would the contest that he
has so long assisted in waging in favor of prohibit
tOn, yet, while occupying the platform of the "new
departure" he would neither take ground for or
against the legal phase of the question.
In looking for the means by which the principles
underlying the new movement are to be promoted,
the speaker called attention to the importancel of
labor in the home circle. A vivid mental picture
was drawn of the beauty and the happiness that
abide in the ideal family home, and the proprety of
beginning the labor of reform in the home circle
was urged. Intemperance is the great curse of the
tireside, and perhaps no more Important or fitting
field can be found for the work of the reformer.
The culture of the moral tendencies of the children
should be carried on. and the growing tendency of
indulgence to take the place of duty should be
checked On the part of the parents the conscience
should be reused and educated, and the effects of
drunkenness, with the counter effects of temper
ance, should be enforced upon the thoughts. When
all the phases of the question are considered, it
must be admitted by the fathers and mothers that
the main field OF temperance work is in their own
households. Some parents who think, and hon
e siy INNS! mink mat they are temperance people,
children to ridicule the radical reformers or still
thinking, honestly thinking, that they are tenn
tie nice bottled cider, and they drink it in the pres
ence of their children, and offer 1t to the children
themselves. Let parents beware how they thus,
even unthinkingly, influence their children.
These are among the questions with which the
new movement must grapplp, and much hope is
aroused from the prospect of the result of the abors
of those in whose hands the responsibility rests.
And, again, the speaker said he sometimes dreamed
that the capitalists would yet lend powerful infu-
ence to this cause by furnishing cheap homes for
the laboring men; homes made pleasant by the pre-
paratiOn of tasteful hands, and placed within the
reach of those who find excuse for frequenting
the drinking saloon in the fact that their means
will permit them only to occupy homes from whose
unpleasant shades they are glad to escape. These,
said the speaker, and many others, are in the prov
ince of the movement so recently inaugurated.
At the close of the address, Mrs. Ada Bowles
spoke briefly of the aspect of the question devel-
oped in the reference to the proposed plan for cap
itaists to build pleasant and cheap homes for the
laboring class. She thought that if the wealthy
men of Worcester would carefully consider the
matter, it would be discovered to be most promis-
ing field for temperance reform.
Hon. p. E. Aldrich moved that the thanks Of the
meeting be extended to Mr. Bowles for his address,
which motion was carried, and the meeting closed.