The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-18
THE TIDAL WAVE.
Mass Temperance Meeting in
the Presbyterian Church.
The Clergy Moving on the
Saloons, to raise Lii
cense to 1900.
Speeches and Resolutions.
How the New Council Came to be Elected.

perauce auVocaueS, large mass meetng
was held last evening 1.-THE 17th) in the au-
ditorium Of the Presbyterian church. The
meeting was called to order by the Rev. j.
r. Findley, pastor of the Presbyterian
church, who nominated Mr.. David More
Chairman, who made a short speech ON
taking the chair DR.. s. G. Plummer was
elected Vice-President, and Mr. d. T.
Robinson, Secretary.
After prayer by Rev. J. s. Mabie, of the
Baptist church, the business of the eve
ming commenced with speech by Rev. G..
G. Knowlton, of the NJ. E. church. The
first of his remarks were confined to sta
tistics on the extent of the manufacture
and sale of liquor, criminal records, and
comparative statements as taken from the
U. S. official reports. He closed his speech
with a general review of the evils of intern
perance and an exhortation for united action
on the part of temperance advocates.
The principal and only speakers follow
ing were Rev. T. l. Holcombe, of Trinity
church; Rev. j. s. Mabie, of the Baptist
church; Rev. j. r. Findley, of the Pres
byterian church; Rev. Mr.. Rice, of the
Christian church, and DR.. Mason, all Of
whom, with the exception of Mr.. Rice,
spoke in unmeasured opposition to the sale
of liquors, and in favor of the highest pos
sible saloon license. DR.. Mason made
some sharp hits upon the drug stores as a
place where drinks are dispens-
ed on the sly'-which were loud
ly applauded. They further desig.
mated the ladies as the only power and the
proper persons to move ON the enemy s
works successfully, and further strongly
intimated that the present movement in
Rock Island was caused by the great Ohio
tidal wave which is sweeping westward.
The Rev. Mr., Rice took stronger grounds
and objected to voting for license at any
figure as not consistent with his duty as a
christian. This was received with terrific
applause, even the ladies rising in their
places and applauding the sentiment. The
earnest remarks of this speaker were the
only ones that served to stir the depths Of
the meeting. After some discussion as to
the manner of adoption, the following reso-
lutions, prepared at the meeting held in DIR.
Plummer's Office on the 10th, were pre-
scented and read by Rev. j. s, Mabie, Of
the Baptist church:
WHEREAS, The temperance cause is one
that commends itself TO the better feelings
of all good citizens, and through their eff
forts is calculated to, in great measure, dc
away with crime, misery and want; there
| fore
Resolved, l, That it is the sense of this
meeting that all persons interested in the
moral. social and physical we'll being Of
our citizens should unite their influence tt
promote the cause Of temperance in oul
city and throughout the land.
2 That the light thrown on this subject
by facts familiar to all intelligent persons
renders our responsibility increasingly and
correspondingly great.
3. That the signs of the times indicate
a general uprising of the moral and relig.
ious masses of the people against the use
and sale of Intoxicating liquors as bever
age and a firm determination that the
majority shall control in the interest of hu
mainly instead of being controlled by those
interested in the traffic.
4. That we hail with satisfaction the
present State law of Illinois, calculated al
least TO check, regulate and stamp as un
| lawful and injurious, the present trade il
Intoxicating liquors; and that we will work
! for advanced legislation while we in the
| meantime support the present law.
5. That as an advanced step in home
legislation we respectfully recommend and
request his honor, the Mayor, and the
Board of Aldermen of the city of Rock
Island, lately elected to office for their NOR.
al and upright character, to place the Ii
cense for saloons at the sum of $500 in
stead of 800 as heretofore, thereby exclud
ing some from the business if possible.
| 6. That we wait the leadings of Provi
dence, and are ready to move in the direc-
ton of that Providence, and to cooperate
with all good persons and in all honorable
and feasible means and measures to pro
mote the overthrow of intemperance.
T. That we earnestly request his honor
the Mayor, and City Council of this city o.
| 1eOOh ISluuu ~ dBDbIIG ouly SuCu ASu VI
| the police force of the city as will faithful
| ly enforce the license laws of our state anC
| city.
s. That committee of twenty ladies be
appointed by this meeting to circulate pc.
titions for signers, asking the City Counci
to grant the requests made in the foregoing
resolutions, and that they present said pc
tition to the City Council together with {
copy OF these resolutions.
9. That we rejoice that the moral force
of prayer has been effectually used to &C
compllsh the objects at which we aim, and
that therefore we suggest the propriety OF
holding general meetings for prayer to AL
mighty God for relief and guidance, anc
that we deprecate anything like forclble Of
merely human means
| These resolutions, witch the exception o.
the fifth, referring to licenses, were adopt
ed collectively and unanimously by small
vote. The fifth resolution was, on reques
of Rev. j. R. Findley, of the Presbyterian
church, adopted by rising vote. In &C
cordance with the eighth resolution tn,
ladies were requested to volunteer. Aftel
some delay the pastors of the differen
churches circulated through the audienc,
and as result of their solicitations tn,
i. following names were read as constituting
the committee:
Mrs. McCalister, Miss Fleming, Mrs
David More, Miss NJ. L. Fleming, Mrs
Hancock, Mrs. G. Reynolds, Mrs. Capt
Robinson, Mrs. j. w. Spencer, Mrs. Z. ID
Sweeney, Mrs w. Jackson, Mrs. M. D
Merrill, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. j. Weleh, Mrs
ID I.incle Eliza More. Ellen TAYLOR Mrs