The Portland daily press., 1872-04-29
THE PRESS.
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 90, 1879.
n,.a CoIa Water Templars.

The Cold Water Templars.
The Superintendent of Common Schools,
in be.last circular issued by him. publishes,
for the information OF the friends of educa-
ton. the constitution and ritual of the Cold
Water Templars. He says that at least
hundred thousand members should be added
to that order during the next year. This is
happy thought. The incubation of temper
ance principles is strictly within the scope OF
the duties prescribed by the laws OF the state
for those who instruct the young. Inc
Superintendent idea is that lodge OF Cold
Water Templars should, during the ensuing
wear. be established in every school district.
By putting in operation such organizations
in connection with the schools, nearly all the
youth in the State, between the ages OF
seven and fifteen, could, within the next
twelve months, be enrolled on the list OF
those who are pledged to total abstinence
The authorities of towns and cities, and
especially the Experimenting School Commit
tees, should take this matter in hand at once.
By this means, there's reasonable ground for
hope that tie next generation may be able to
attain degree of self-control in the matter
of using intoxicating liquors, that would
seem miraculous to those on whom the
effects Of the debauchery and selfindulgence
OF centuries rest with their whole weight.
If single generation could grow to manhood
uncontaminated by vicious indulgence in
stimulants, the task of weaving the world
from intemperance would be very much sim
plifed. Already the persistence ON the part
of temperance advocates for series of years
in preaching the gospel of prohibition has Gre
ated public sentiment that almost sustains
the present rigid enforcement of the liquor
law. We believe it to be a fact that ten years
ago SO general movement in every part of
the State, through both moral and legal agen-
cies, to suppress the sale of Intoxicating liq-
ors, as is at present in successful progress,
would have produced commotion only q lit
tie short of actual armed rebellion. But no "
everybody is surprised at the almost univer-
sal acquiescence in the strict enforcement of
the very severe laws against liquor-sellers
that have for a few weeks been in operation.
Ifsuch results as these follow from temper
ance agitation in 1872, with generation that
has been corrupted by indulgence in intoxica-
ting liquors, what may we not expect from
those who, quarter of century hence,
have taken the places of their fathers from
men who have grown to manhood under the
restraining and purifying influence of tenn
perance organization and who know nothing
of the fatal attractions of vice?
THE burning of the little village of South
China, few miles northeast of Augusta, is
really most distressing calamity. The in
habitants ofthe place are all people of only
moderate means, and it is to be feared that
many of them have lost their entire property.
Though the confagration is ON smaller
scale than the burning of Portland, Augusta,
Calais, Eastport, or even Wiscasset, it will
probably occasion far more suffering in pro-
portion to its size than either of them. South
China, situated at the foot of China pond, was
one OF the most picturesque villages in Maine,
and it is indeed mournful to think that only
smouldering ruins mark the place where its
white cottages once stood. Within the last
ten years singular fatality has attached to
our Maine towns and cities. Insurance COM
panies can hardly be blamed for their reluct-
ance to be taxed by State that has SO often
proved the graveyard of their profits
If the Cincinnati dispatches of the New
York papers are any indication of the state
OF affairs at Cincinnati, there is already
Babel of opinions there. One, for instance, is
quite certain that Mr.. Adams is to be the
candidate, while another is equally confident
that he has no real strength among the dele
gates and no clauqers. A majority of the ad-
vices would indicate that the nomination lies
between Trumbull, Davis, Gratz Brown and
Adams, and their chances are about in the
order in which their names are given above.
New York, it is said, will vote for Greeley in
stead of Adams. Curtin's chances are said
to be best for the second place.
The effort to get up a soldiers convention
as tender to the Cincinnati move
ment is stale dodge. Andy Johnson's flu
glers tried it at Cleveland in 1866 and Sey-
mour and Blair in 1868 made an effort to
show that the men who fought under Grant
had deserted to JEFF. Davis, both of which
were pitiful failures. If the country is
to be guided by the opinion of the great
body of the 'boys in blue" it will never fol-
low the Cincinnati leaders.
THE House of Representatives, Friday, by
It's vote on the Goth of May resolution, gave