Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-23
iugusta Correspondence.

temperance convention, anu 'AV
and Publishers AsSOciation-ooth OF
which we attended. The former was the
hest Convention OF the kind held in the
State for years, fact which augurs well
for the cause.
Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr. was tempo
rary Chairman and Gov. Perhsm the
President of the Convention. The Gov.
was received with much applause, and
made an earnest, eloquent speech. An IN
teresting and iuspiIiting sight was that OF
the galleries, filed with about 500 bright
eyed and happy faced children. arrayed
in different cDlored regalia. known rs
Cold Water Templars. They enlivened
the occasion and impaired new zeal Ia
all BY their pretty songs, and waving OF
6aps and cheers. The attendance OF
prominent temperance men from differ
ent parts of the State was better than Tor
many years, and the temper and tone OF
the Convention. throughout, more con
ciliatory and harmonious. The resolu-
tions. which we append. we're, in the
main. iuJicious, and treated OF live ques-
tons rather than mere platitudes They
were as follows
Resolred. That the fact that prohibition
is the settled policy OF the State; that
the policy of total abstinence has be-
come 20 general. banishing as it does TO
so great an extent, intoxicating liquors
from our public gatherings and festive
occasions, marked illustration of this
fact being seen in the rejection of intoX-
icating liquors from the tables 1t the
opening OF the European x North Amer
lean Railroad; the tact that more than
40. 600 men and women in the State, IN
the various organizations are pledged to
total abstinence, and some 10000 child
ren, the action OF the religious bodies IN
the State. in favor of total abstinence;
these. and many other mareed indlca-
tons of progress, furnish occasion tor de
won't gratitude TO God, and inspire the
friends of the cause with courage.
ReSolred. That while we have reason
for gratitude and courage in view OF the
progress thus tar made, We are painfully
impressed that the victory is not Vet
complete. The increased in the traffic
within the past two or three years, in Ger
tain localities, the iact that no large
ropVriiOn ut our youth are IN the hab.
itual use Of the Intoxicating cup, the
apathy which 20 such an extent prevails
among the proleSsed friends OF temper
ance. convince u that much hard work
remains 10 be done before temperance
shall universally prevail
ReSolred, That while we recognize
with gratitude tho work which has been
done by the various local temperance ore
CARNATIONS. We Iully believe that more
open and active effort is absolutely nee
esSary. aud we therefore recommend the
frequent holding Oh temperance meetings
in every town, and school district in the
State, and also county temperance meet
ings II least once in three months, and
we recommend the appointment OF =
county committee in every county in the
State. 10 have the supervision OF this
matter.
RcSolrcd. Tha, while we fully endorse
the opinion OF Gov Perham in his last
annual message that the eradication of
an evil must be sought primarily Though
the pulpit. the press, The platform and
the influence OF organized efforts. and
we urge increased use OF these applisn-
ces. and also with him were never more
fully convinced that this reform can never
be conSunmated without stringent laws
apOn the subject and that these laws be
faithfully executed.
ReSOiCed, That we have no sympathy
with the often expressed opinion that We
have law enough now upon the subject,
if it was only eXecuted-.a cry, we tear.
on the part OF politicians To prevent action
upon the subject. and OF the Indifferent
IS an apology for their apathy; on the
contrary, We are decided in our conviction
that the present law is crude in many es-
seutial particulars, defective, and in some
instances contradictory, and tails 10 car
" out the often expressed opinion OF the
people in favor OF the principle OF pro-
hibiuOn, and We shall not tail TO demand
OF our legislators such laws IS shall shut
up the grog shops and TO make such pro-
visions for an executive toIce, under the
direction OF the Governor. IS will more
efectually and imparlial.y execute such
laws.
ReS0lred, That we believe there should
be 4 combined moral and religious inhu.
ence brought 10 bear upon this subject by
the various religious bodies of the State,
and We sincerely hope that the religious
temperance convention which has been
suggested will soon be held, and the
members and friends OF the church rec
ognize the fact lh2, the church is like TO
Increase ss Srog shops lessen, and that
the Master i best served when humanity
Is saved and elevated most.
Res0lred That we thank the Governor
OF Massachusetts, - well Is the Govern.
or OF our own State, for the plain, un-
equiyocal, honest. and earnest words up
on this subject, in their late messages TO
their respective Legislatures, and con-
gratulatc the temperance men and wo.
men of the no; Der AMI daughter States
that they have such Governors.
ReS0Ired. That the organization Of the
children OF the State into Cold Water
Temples. where they are taught TO ab-
stain from intoxicating drinks, tobacco
and profanity, is work worthy the APP
probation and cooperation Of all the
friends OF true reform and is hereby en-
dorsed by this convention rs promising
much for The cause of temperance and
general morality
While the committee was out, Ex-Goy.
Arson z. Morrill, gave one Of his stirring,
effective addresses, in which he reviewed
the campaign OF the Maine Law. and
showed what progress had been made.
Gov. Perham spoke Of the qualification it
afforded him, to see that liquors were ex-
eluded from the banquets given in Maine
on the occasion OF opening the European
* North American Railway. when the