The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-08
The following is the superintendent,s report !" =
AMERICAN TEMPERANCE COMMISSION,
Morning Session mt Steinway Hail.
Evening Session at Union League
Notwithstanding Statements and

Evening Session at Union League
notwithstanding Statements and
Speeches.
The American Temperance Commission celebrated
its anniversary yesterday. Exercises were held In
the morning at steinway Hall. Aaron M. Powell.
presiding.
Mr.. POWELL opened the proceedings with an ad.
dress on the evils of intemperance. He regretted
that this should still exist. Slavery was
abolished, but intemperance still prevailed all over
the country. This question was not local one; it
was national. Every year $4,000 lives were lost
from the evil. The friends and foes Of ntemper-
ance must array and stand out against each other.
Protection Is given to the dstiller and the rum
seller; consequently, agitation is almost in vain.
At the Cincinnati Convention there was not word
about temperance; 1t should have been strong
plank in the platform. Greeley was temperance
man; but 1t was said that Brown was not. We needed
asylums for inebriates. The people had a right to
be protected from the evils of intemperance. The
best thing to do was to put an end to the tempta-
ton ITSELF The only way to do this was to close the
rum shops. The most fearful crimes, that were
the result Of intemperance cried aloud for this.
and yet the State made the sale of liquor legal and
Is consequently responsible.
Mr.. Powell, after he had concluded his remarks,
read three letters-rOm s. G. POmerOy, Wendell
Phillips and Henry T. Cheever, in which these gen.
tlemen stated their regrets at not being able to at
tend paper was next read In reference to the
alarming increase of intemperance throughout the
country. 1t stated that the time would soon come
when diplomacy and religion would be more inter-
ested In the cause of temperance, but said that IL
was debatable question as to whether
the government can rightfuy take upon itself the
jurisdiction OF settling the temperance question.
The law Is at present administered In the interest
OF legalized intemperance. However, there Is at
present In existence a powerful temperance
strength, which will declare itself In the pot
cal world. The watchword should be, mo fellow
ship, politically or religiously, with the dramshop
system, its supporters and apologists" The an
nual report was next in order in which the object
OF the Commissioners was stated, and also that q
petition had been presented for national prOhbitOry
legislation, also memorial proposing to exclude
all persons addicted to the of intoxicating
liquor from public ONCE After the reading of the
address the following resolutions were adopted
Resolved That we hereby call upon Congress and the
States, by appropriate legislation, make illegal
throughout our national domain the manufacture, mpor
taton and sale OF all intoxicating liquors to be used
beverage.
That the SURFACES temperance voters should in no
case be cast for any candidate party national State
not pledged to total abstinence the individual and
prohibition legislative policy.
That eXhOrt the church members and clergymen OF
all denominations to cry aloud and nor the liquor
traffic. to Danish wine and substitute water therefor at
their communion service to to it that members of
sale renting of premises for the vending of ntoxca
Ing liquors to be used beverage; and to unite in
declaration of mo fellowship, religouy politically
with the liquor traffic, Its supporters and apologists
The Rev. T. Sergeant Messrs. Davis and several
Others then addressed the meeting after which the
meeting adjourned.