Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-11-05

The meeting Of Monday evening at Han
cock Hall. called for the purpose OF pro-
noting the cause Of Temperance in this
city. was well attended. Many of our
most respected and influential citizens
were present The meeting called to the
chair. Isaac II. Thomas, Esq, and VIM.
O. Mcdonald was chosen Secretary.
Rev. Mr.. Lyon spoke of the necessity of
doing something 10 check the progress of
iniemperance and saving the rising gen
GRAFTON from the dangers which were every
where around them. He thought il high
time that somebody should be active in
the work OF reform-that the rum-seller
was busy plying his soul-and-body-destroy
ing tratilc-that the authorities of the
city were shamefully negligent in the per-
iormance OF their duty-and that hitherto
our citizens had remained too inactive in
view Of The alarming spread of this evil.
The speaker advised a course of Temper
ance Lectures, discus. ious, aud public
meetings. which II possible should create
healthy public sentiment.
Rev. Mr.. Garretson was encouraged by
the full attendance this evening and
thought it promised good in the future.
He had been told that nothing could be
done. but tonight he believed the contrary.
lie favored continuous public meetings.
aud hoped the ball would he kept in mo-
ton.
Rev. Mr.. Reese had no great confidence
IN 4 reform SO far as the rum-seller was
concerned, or in respect TO the confirmed
drunhard. though recognizing the posi-
bility of reformation; but believed that
something might be done in the way of
prevention. if not OF cure; and that tempta-
ton might be partially removed from be-
fore the young, or they be Influenced to
Withstand it
DIR. Pulsifer had labored for years in The
Temperance cause. He had for years
spent time and money and received in re-
turn nothing but abuse. Still. he did not
now fear to aid the good cause for he had
already been abused as much as lay in the
power of his opponents and could suffer
nothing more. Tonight he was as will
ing as he always had been to join in the
crusade against rum and tobacco.
Dir. Cole in allusion 10 the remarks of
previous speakers. upon the low state of
morals in Ellsworth, thought very many
towns in very many respects were very
much like Ellsworth. A remark which is
very true. Meetings. similar in character
to the present. have before been held in
this city. and that somehow from some
source, opposing influences had been
brought to bear to limit their influence and
destroy their usefulness. He presumed
that this was the case in other places. Re-
forms to be permanent must begin with
the individual He must first learn self
government.
Mr.. Hamilton Joy had for long years
advocated Temperance. He had belonged
to almost every temperance organization
that had ever been established in town,
and had endeavored to be q consistent
temperance man in his practice. He how
ever. like DIR. Pulsifer, had met with OPP |
position and abuse and often in the house |
of his friends in the temperance reform.
So heartless and inconsistent were their
acts. that he was sometimes tempted to
saw of this reform, (as Shakespeare said Of
woman: .sThy name is frailty;;" though