Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-16


Franklin-John Allen, Pennington.
Hancock-John Wentworth.
kennebec--,Geo +. Brickett, Augusta.
KnoX-O. G. Hall, Rockland.
Lincoln-David Boyd, Boothbay.
Oxford F. L. Shaw, Paris.
Penobscot---J. Ii. Kimball, Bangor.
Piscataquis-A. j. w. Stevens, Parkman.
Sagadahoc-B. F. Tallman, Bath
Somerset-M. Vaughn.
Waldo-N. G. Hichborn, Stockton.
Washington-W. J. Corthcll, Calais.
iork-B. f. Hamilton, Biddeford.
The convention adjourned to evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The hall was filled at the evening session.
Prayer was offered by Rev. NJ. Martin OF
Augusta.
The Governor welcomed the men and
women present to the privileges Of the con-
vention. He alluded again to the noble work
of the temperance cause. There is no cause
above it. Rid US of this and the highway is
open to education of the highest type the
material interest of the State will advance.
1t is the question that lies nearest the founda-
tion Of all our interests than any other The
Governor then introduced Gen. Neal Dow as
the leader and pioneer in the temperance
cause.
Gen. Dow said it had been long while
since he had been able to attend temper
ance convention in Maine. lie remembered
the time when We used to come up to Angus
ia in sleighs, or stages that were worse than
sleighs. He saw State street, as it was, about
noon time, on the adjournment of the legisla-
ture, full OF men with bloated faces, dogs and
rum guzzlers. Now all has changed, and we
come here TO look over the field little and
cast glance into the future. He found
good deal of the old feeling, but in modified
form-fears that we shall SO far ahead OF
public opinion.
We certainly ought not to get far ahead of
public opinion; but it must be known that
Maine stands in the first rank in this matter,
and holds the key to this grea. position. Ii
we give up here, and fly before the foe, all is
lost. The liquor traffic is disastrous in all its
aspects, and it seemed to him extraordinary
that there should be among intelligent men
and women, any sympathy with the liquor
traffic. The just and only end ofthe govern
ment is to foster and protect the good, and sup
press the evil He noticed the great progress
of the temperance movement, and said that
the most of those who are in favor of the sale
of liquor either want to use it or are making
money from its sale.
Gen. Dow then read, as chairman of the
committee on the subject, the address of the
CONVENTION " inc people VI MaiNt. he give
the substance of the same
The address recapitulates the history OF
prohibition in Maine; the success OF the
principle rum drinking was regarded as de-
moralizing in its effects; like gambling
houses, brothels and the trade in obscene
books and pctures,it was regarded as demon
alizins to the people and injurious to the
State, and therefore, like them, 1t was placed
Under the ban of law.
Since that time the people have endorsed 1t
in many ways The people of the State have
cmphatically endorsed prohibition as against
license. The address here proceeds to notice
IN detall the necessity OF temperance laws
ana that they are the most benehcent laws
that can be enacted, and asserts that the
right OF the State to prohibit the liquor traihc
has been established by the highest authority
known to our laws. 1t is the duty OF the
government to exercise this right, and the
duty of the people to demand it of the gov
eminent. Prohibition has been success IN
Maine. The amount of intoxicating liquors
consumed in the State is not one-tenth so
large as it was before the Maine law. But
in the large cities there are still persons who
persist in selling rum. We build churches,
where men may be. taught wisdom, truth,
virtue; the grog shop leads men to ignorance,
sin, shame. We build school houses, where
our chlidren may De taush. 10 become soou
citizens; the gros shop, with more power
iul influence, teaches Them to be BAD. IL Is
therefore that the people OF Name nave re-
solved to suppress the shameful trade IN lis
borders. The knife ana actual cautery are
the only possloie remedies lot Inc ofeadlui
evil; and these, when applied boldly and
frmiy, are an enectuai remedy. Inc ilquor
traffic, II 1t were judged as IT ought 10 pe by
Its effects upon the common weiafe, shoulu
be placed by the law slde oy size with tne
greatest crimes 40 we imprson 'he 'hiei
the grog shop inspires men win the desire 10
steal. DO we lmprison the lhcehdiarys ~ IS
the grog SHOP that puts the loren INTO MS
hand. Is the murderer hung! IL IS the erog
SHOP mar inspires MN lor MS creaulul WORK
In whatever lght we regard H. the nquor
traihc must pe aoJuageu unworthy 10 exist IN
any community anu II ousht 10 oe suppressed
with the strong hana' without mercy. AL
though tire grog SHOPS are at present
reduced to very low conuluon IN
this State, yet few OF them exist secretly,
conducted by low ana pad men, ana Inlet
upon the people tar more misery than they
experience from all other onences against the