Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-01
A motion was made and carried that the res.

cusslOn.
On the third resolution, DR.. A. j. w. Ste
vens of Parkman, said that he had fallen in
with gentlemen who thought that temperance
had made no progress in the State. This
only reminded him that he was engaged in a
perpetual warfare and that he must not
tire in the good work, which he thought was a
| christian work.
Mr.. Stickney of Pressure Isle, said he rep
resented the county of Aroostook in this con-
vention. He was glad to say that his county
which had been badly cursed by rum, was
| beginning to see the sunrise, and had redeem
ed itself from the thraldrom of rum.
The police law had more to do with abolish
ing rumselling in his county than any other
nstrumentality, except perhaps the various
temperance organizations.
The resolution was adopted.
| On the passage of the fourth resolution,
Mr. Nye Of Waterville, gave an account of
the operations of the youths temperance Or
| ganzation known as the Cold Water Temple,
which for the past few months he had been in
Producing in this State. From fifteen to
twenty Temples have been established here.
Although a secret organization it has just
enough work and ceremony to interest the
| children, and was to them what the Good
Templars lodge is to the more advanced.
These Temples are taking the place of the
work as they commence with the children, and
| he would give more for the first ten years of
a childs life than for his whole after life.
Rev. Mr.. Randall explained also in regard
| to the Temple. The members have certain
signs of recognition by which they may
readily know each other. The pledge EN-
braces not only abstinence from liquors but
tobacco and profanity.
Friend Levi Jones OF China, said that we
strike at the root OF the matter when We edu-
cate the chidrca. The influence of early
education is mighty. The habits of intern
perance are interviewer with the social habits
of our people. He alluded to liquor selling
in London, and that it was almost impossible
| to reach it by legislation. We have men in
our own country who are not willing to strike
a heavy blow against the evil.
The resolution was then adopted.
The discussion of the fifth resolution was
opened by Rev. Mr.. Atkins of Cape Elizabeth.
He said the clergy ought to come out square
ly on the matter, but they are often intimidat
ed by threats, and their mouths closed.
DR.. Stevens was anxious to know how we
are to go to work to get the clergymen in
terested.
Mr.. Stickney thought it silly idea that a
clergyman is to be afraid TO speak on the
subject. If he is right with God, he is all
right. He thought that the general practice
OF the doctors was a serious obstacle to the
progress of temperance This will continue
while liquor is used as medicine.
DR. Stevens remarked that he had discard
ed liquors as a medicine, and that it contained
little or no curative properties; and in this
opinion he was seconded by DIR. Jones of
China, in brief but earnest speech.
On the sixth resolution, Hon. Nelson
Dingley, of Lewiston, said that we have good
rnnS an 70 ha ,yal frnn tha ,f
of the principle of prohibition in the State.
More progress has been made here than in
| any other part of the country. We have rea-
son to be proud of our record, when we COM
pare our State with those which have the Ii
cense law. He showed that in the wine
drinking countries intemperance prevails to
| an alarming extent, and that prohibition, and
not license, is the only radical and thorough
| remedy.
Hon. n. G. Hichborn, of Stockton, felt
that while we may urge moral suasion, we
must close up the rum shops. The question
is now narrowed down to this Prohibition
executed, or prohibition unexecuted. The
open dram shop is educating the people
down to death. He expected to live to re-
joice in the overthrow of intemperance.
Mr. Randall was in favor of the enforce
ment of the prohbitory law to the fullest ex-
tent. The enforcement of the law in any
town is the reflection of the sentiment of the
people of that town on the question. If rum
is not sold in Stockton, it is because the peo-
pie of that place say that it shall not be sold.
Rum is sold in Augusta because the people
here do not sustain the law. When the peo-
pie of Augusta, Portland, and our other large
cities and towns say that rumselling shall
stop, it will stop.
The resolution was adopted. The seventh
resolution was adopted without debate. The
eighth or State Police resolution was laid
aside until evening.
The following committee was appointed to
report the names of gentlemen for State
Committee Messrs. Shorey of Bridgton,
Randall of Kendall's Mills, and Stevens of
Parkman.
Adjourned to evening.
EVENING.
There was a good attendance at the even
ing session. In the absence Of the President
of the convention, n. g. Hichborn, one of the
Vice Presidents, presided
The eighth resolution providing for
State Police force was discussed.
Maj. Shaw, as a member of the committee
on resolutions, said that the present one was
not exactly in the form of the one that was
understood to be agreed upon in committee.
As it now stands it may be understood as in
favor of State Police. He said the commit
tee were opposed to a State Police.
Mr.. Randall said the resolution was dis
cussed in committee, and he thought under
stood. He had no idea that it advocates
State Police. The Governor is placed in the
strange position of taking an oath to execute
the laws, and then being left without single
officer to execute them.
Maj. Shaw and Mr.. Randall further dis
cussed the matter.
Hon. II. Il. Prentiss of Bangor, said that
this is one of the great questions that divide
temperance men. He thought that the laws
against intemperance were more faithfully
enforced than many other laws, and that ex
perence shows that the enforcement of the
| liquor law had better be left to the people of
| the towns, and cities, and officers which they
may elect
| Rev. Mr.. Martin of Augusta, was in favor
of resolution that shall be plain and unmis-
| taxable in its meaning If fifty men in every
| town shall say that the rum shops shall be
closed up they will be closed.
Mr.. Perham here made his appearance
and took the chair.
hat hn in,