The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29
LIQUOR LAWS.

The Methodist Preachers ON Intemper-
ancc-Not Only Local and State, hut
National Prohibition Dema nded-Ad-
dress of Aaron nj. Powell.
There was slim attendance Of ministers at the
weekly meeting OF the Methodist preachers yester-
day. The Rev. J. B. Mervin presided, and the Rev.
George Hollis opened the meeting with devotional
exercises. The Rev. George Lansing Taylor, who
had been appointed to open the debate on intem-
perance andi relations to State and national leg
islation apologized Tor lack of preparation owing
to an accumulation OF business and absence from
the city during the past week. Mr.. Taylor has been
atAlbany advocating the passage OF bills now before
the Legislature against the sale OF alcoholic bever-
ages. He, however, had q very able substitute at
hand in the person OF Mr.. Aaron M. Powell. the ed
tor OF the National Temperance Advocate, whom
he introduced, and who was by vote invited to ad-
dress the meeting. Mr.. Powell spoke briefly on the
discouraging tendencies and indications OF the
times, OF the increase In the liquor traffic during
the past year. which has exceeded in ratio OF per-
centage the increase in our population, and has
been far greater than that OF any former year. He
regretted the increase OF drinking propensities in
what is called good society,"" There Is also in
creased activity among those interested in the
liquor trafic. These are discouraging Indications
But there are, he was glad to know,
MANY ENCOURAGING INDICATIONS
also. Among these he named the growing ten
dency Of the people to demand total prohibition.
He believed there Is for alcohol place. 1t Is
full in arts and mechanics and in medicine, but 1t
should have no part or place among us as bever-
age. Mr.. Powell gave an Illustration OF the bene-
ca effects OF local prohibition in the township Of
Chatham N. J., where. q few years ago. the Legis
TOT uro al oct Uiv hn ho
right to vote for against license. The result has
been manifest in the absence OF crime and the in
creased thrift and comfort OF the village popula-
tion. He wanted to see this law applied to the
State, and ultimately extended to the whole c0un-
try. He personally was in favor OF women voting
and especially upon this question, OF such vital i'm
portance to them. He hoped the New York Legis-
lature would give the '1ocal optien" bill to the
people. Here, with twenty miles Of grOgshops in
this CITY, IL does not look much like victory Tor the
temperance cause or a essening OF the evil against
which we are battling. He also favored the ohio
Civil Damages bill being attached to the local OPP
ton. But though we may get local or state pro-
hibition our work will not be accomplished, and
temperance men will not be absolved from their
obligation, until the liquor traflc is destroyed alto
gether from this land And they must address
themselves at once to the national aspects OF the
question The 1000
belong not only to the people OF the District OF
Columbia, but to the people OF the entire country.
III Tue uluc OTBdulLeu lcTTllOIkeS VI Vic pulbcu
States there are in proportion to the population,
more grogshops than we have in the city OF New
York. lie would, therefore, have the national
aspect OF this question always borne IN mind. The
example OF the government-the national ex-
ampe-is in favor OF the liquor traiic and against
the temperance movement. When the first Pc
ttion reached Washington In favor OF reviving the
old Indian anti-liquor law. which has lain on the
statute books for forty years q dead letter, the
Senators and Representatives passed 1t around
from one to another, treating 1t as ridiculous
and fanatical movement and as pretty good joke.
It more seriously. as they found bundles Of such
documents laid on their desks. And when SEN
ator Vice Presdent Wilson introduced
TIE INDIAN LIQUOR BILL
somewhat modified to apply 1t to every section
and all people OF our country, they were not pre-
courtesy. The original bin is very stringent in its
provisions. 1t gives any Indian the right to enter
liquor store in anv part OF the Indian territory
Gates the property upon any river boat found bear
ing liquor TO any indian territory or reservation.
1--WE must, /" Mr. Powell said, make this national
and to the national Territories. In Colorado there
are thirty-six distilleries and manufactures Of
liquors which pay annually over $4,000 tax
enough to pay the Presidents salary before tile In
crease, and little over Tor the congressman. The
large constituencies OF the churches mold the bal
ance OF power, and they should give 1t TO the
temperance cause. Had liquor been kept out OF
the Indian country we should have been saved
very much OF our Indian troubles" He. therefore,
urged the preachers by every means in their power
TO favor and advance legislation against the rum
traffic.
MORAL suAs1oN BETTER THAN LEGISLATION.
Rev. GEORGE A. HUBBELL spoke In favor OF the
churches raising up strong and healthy moral
sentiment in the community against this traffic,
without which he had no faith in legislation. In
deed, he thought we had already too much legisla-
ton on this subject. lie referred to the healthy
growth or the Church when IL has been left I'M
trammelled by legislation and he believed the
temperance cause would grow equally well under
ike circumstances
The Rev. GEORGE HOLLIS thought that II the
churches or the ministry have any moral power
they should let go out in the direction OF legsla
ton. He considered the liquor traiic greater
evil than slavery.
The REV. JOHN PARKER was as much in favor OF
moral suaslOn as his Brother Hubbel, whom he
highly respected. But the facts are against it.
The moral power OF the Church and oil the nation is
weak and needs the support OF legislation. He
cited some Of the New England States as examples
OF what may be done by legislation. The Revs.
Messrs. Morehouse, Wolff, French and Others spoke
though next Monday is allotted to devotional exer-
cises.