The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-08
TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC AssEMBLAaE
THE FIRST DAYS SESSION.


THE FIRST DAYS SESSION.
ORGANIZATION AND APPOINTMENTS THE
ADDRESSES OF THE EvENING-THE WOMEN
| ELoeUENT-oUT DOOR EXERCISES.
The opening session of the State tenn
perance convention was held Wednesday in
the First Baptist Church, beginning at
O'Clock p. NJ, and was largely attended, there
being delegates present from all parts of the
State. The time of the afternoon session
was principally occupied in permanent
organization and the appointment of the
usual committees. The deliberations are
conducted in a very orderly way, doing
much credit Il the ladies, whose talents in
such matters, it is well known, have not
been ex. ensively cultivated. The conven-
ton opened out with the promise of very
great success. 1t was called to order
by j. j. Talbot, of New Albany, who
nominated Mrs. Harvey. of this city,
temporary president. She was unanimously
elected, alter which Mrs. Finch was chosen
temporary secretary. The following ladies
and gentleman occupied places on the stand:
Mrs. Bolton, Cleveland; Emma Molloy,
Sallie @. Jackson, Jeffersonville; Mrs.
0'Flynn, Mr.. ]. ]. Talbot, New Albany; Mrs.
Kelly, the Rev, G. Martindale, Button
Mrs. Brook bank, Mrs. Schaff, the Rev. Mr..
Mccoy, and Mrs. Martha Valentine, Rich
mond.
DIR. BAYLIss' ADDRESS.
The Rev. DIR. Bayliss, upon taking the
chair, said: 800 lae
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: 1 have been
elected, as understand, to preside over this
convention, and not make any particu ar
sp eech. / feel however, that under the cir
cumstancss, it would be proper for me to
say just word before taking my chair. /
should be insensible if did not feel myself
honored in being called to the position to
which you have called me by your vote. i
perhaps need not say to you that my heart
is in this work, and that count il an honor
to be identIf. d with il. feel it an addi-
tional honor to be called to this position. i
feel like congratulating the convention. first
of all that there are 50 many persons pres
ent thus early in its deliberations.
was myself little apprehen-
sive that possibly just at this
time there wonld not be a very large repre-
sentation either from the capital of the
state, from the cities and towns outside.
But am agreeably surprised and very high
ly gratitied that so many persons are pres
ent at the opening of the exercises. Then. 1
feel like cOngratulatins the convention that
our work has begun just as it has. / was
| taken little by surprise, not that 1 am not
accustomed to being invited to go down up
on my knees, but have never had invi-
/
as these. 1 thought as we were kneeling be-
| fore God and solemnly singing the words of
the hymn of conservation, Mr.. Bayliss here
repeated the hymnl that when all the con
ventions, educational, political and reforma-
tory, of the United States adopted this mode
of beginning, and go down solemnlv before
| God, and sing conservation hymn to start
with, will risk the politics, the reforma-
tory institutions and education of the coun-
try, for tell you among the nations of the
earth
THAT NATION is SAFE,
and that alone, that fears God. And Sd feel
like congratulating you that our work has
commenced in this way in the fear of God,
and hope point will be made of it, and
believe point will be made of it. We are
here, as l understand. to promote the tenn
peranee reformation in the State of Indiana
as far as orr influence may reach. We are
here for the creation of and to intensity a
public opinion on this subject. Public
opinion is not test of the rightfulness OF
law; that is to say we are not, as major
ity, to make and unmake laws be-
cause, for ms ance, if it so hap
pened that some particular ward in
the city of New York was made up of
thieves, the probability is, if they had their
ways they would repeal all laws against
riehtfulness of law is something else than
public opinion. We are fighting this battle,
I however in the conduct of a State govern
ment-a government of the people, and
this will always be the case in represen-
tative form of government where the power
Is wi h the people. 1t has always been the
case, and always will be the case, that pub
lie opinion will have very much to do with
the efficiency of the law, The politics OF the
country reflect our opinions and our be-
hsvior very largely. IL therefore becomes
all important in this State that we should
ont
ton of temperance, and when public opinion
and our wants are pretty well settled,
the next election will go in a certain djrec-
ton, and we shall not findmuch difficulty in
the way of enforcing good temperance
law. We had an illustration only while
ago. There was
TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT.
We had meeting in the Academy OF
Music. and the people filled it from the
} lower floor to the upper gallery. Churches
were filled on Sunday afternoon, and the
!. effect was most marvellous. The men
charged with administering the law in In
. dianapolis felt weak. That is to say, they
! were losing the power to execute the law
, But they told me-not being smoker my
self-that the tide of public opinion was so
strong in Indianapolis that even chris
tian could not buy cigar in the drug store.
They insisted that the Sunday law must be
!. Obeyed. They Went through TWO or three
Sabbaths about on that key. refer to this
to show the tremendous power of public
! opinion when it is awakened. We are here
to awaken and intensity public opinion on
this subject throughout the entire State.
They tell US that the temperance law of this
State does not satisfy public opinion just
T now; that the majority of the people are not
, in favor oft. want here to record my de-
cided opinion that that is not true. / firmly
: believe that the majority OF the peopls in the
State of Indiana aud in the city of Indian
apolis are not only no5.opposed to this pres
eut law, but they are heartily in favor of a
law quite as strong as the present one.
. The law is not a dead letter
: because the majority of the people are not
! in favor of it. The law is poMerless. because