The Grange advance., 1874-07-29
Temperance Lecture By billion 0'Brien.

A00 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tnot 0AAAOA " O1Ae0
would lecture at the Baptist Church in Red
Wing, on Sunday night, the Goth inst,
filed the church upon that occasion to its
utmost capacity. After the singing of ap-
propriate pieces by the choir, and prayer
by the Rev. Chas. Griswold, Mr.. O'Brien,
who had taken q lower seat in the syna-
gogue-in fact, next the door-was called
upon to come forward and take higher
place. As he stood before US we were sur.
prised to discover so little change in his
appearance since we heard him in this city
seven years ago. Time seems to be dealing
kindly with him, and age sits lightly upon
him.
The lecturer began by saying that as the
years rolled on the idols Of his youth and
enthusiasm had frequently fallen. What
he had taken for gold often proved to be
tinselry, and what he valued as beauty
turned out to be glass or paint. But there
was one subject that had not betrayed his
youthful enthusiasm. The more he had
tested it the purer the gold had proven to
be. While upon other subjects he had fire.
Quently found himself to be in the wrong,
upon this one he knew beyond all doubt
that he was right. 1t was the grand old
subject Of temperance. Here was plat
form so broad that men Of every creed
could meet and work together.
It was said that nothing new could be
offered upon this subject, that every speak
er but portrayed the old landscape with
the old lights and shadows. He remem-
bered that eight years ago Winona paper
announced him to speak at that place upon
this subject, remarking that the only thing
that would be new about the lecture was the
fact that it would be delivered by an Irish
man. He did not believe this fling at his
countrymen was true or just. They did
not drink more than other men of other
nationalities, but they could not carry it as
we'll. However he would not object to deb
iting them with debt that was deep, and
black. and heavy, and long, if on the 9th
er hand, they were now credited with max
ing mighty effort to rise from the thrall-
dom Of strong drink.
The lecturer was not here tonight to
appeal to the drunkards, but to address
himself to the conscience of the moderate
and respectable drinker. He had little faith
in legislating upon this subject. You can
not legislate man temperate, no more
than you can legislate him religious. But
when the respectable men of Red Wing
would always reply, "No, thank you;
never touch it," then would the day of
triumph be near at hand, then " ould the
traffic be doomed.
The lecturer then protrayed in q verv
vivid and impressive manner the dangers
to the Republic arising from the traffic in,
and use of, Intoxicating liquors. The
Government could not be maintained upon
learning and intelligence alone. A high
morality was more essential than either
In fact it takes heap Of intellect to make
tirst.class rascal. Liberty had done very
much for US, shall we refuse to do anything
for liberty? Should the reign of the god.
dess Of Liberty be only in conjunction with
the god Bacchus, swinging his whisky
bottles for sceptre and singing his ribald
songs for National anthems.
For every vice that was eradicated an enc
my to the republic was slain. In every
virtue that was planted champion was
raisedup. In every man that was reformed
from the error of his way an enemy was
converted into friend. If the Republic
was in peril tomorrow how many of you
would give your property and even you,
life itself in her defence. How then car
our respectable friends and moderate drink,
ers hesitate to give up the beer glass tt
prevent that peril
The lecturer then appealed on behalf Of
the dignity Of manhood. Man had beer
created only little lower than the angels
but by Incorporate habits he debased him
self beneath the brutes. By the aid Of thu
rum-demon he created upon earth i: hell
that the hell of the damned only surpassed
In duration and in the absence of God.
He next appealed in behalf of til,
widows and orphans. In Imagination III
could see his clients gathering around hin
homeless and friendless, ragged ant
starving. sbashed in the consciousness o
their own degradation, but driven to fac
the world by hunger and nakedness. How
great the cause, how weak the advocate !
We regret that we have not space for
more comnleta renort of th;s ao,,l .A:-:.-