Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-29
Hon. Joshua Nye was chosen temporary
chairman, and L. P. Call of Kittery, was made


Secretary.
The following committee was appointed on
permanent organization; Messrs. Shaw, Ran
dali. Tallman, Farwell and Beal. The COM
mittee subsequently reported the following
list of officers for permanent organization,
and they were accordingly elected:
President Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr.
Secretaries L. P. Call of Kittery, VIM.
F. Morrill, Of Portland, John S. Kimball of
Bangor.
Col Shaw was delegated to wait upon the
Governor and inform him of his election as
President of the Convention.
Adjourned to afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention convened at Meonian Hall
at two o'clock, Hon. f. w. Stctson Of Dam
ariscotta, in the chair. The following list of
Vice Presidents was reported:
Androscoggn-H. NJ Bryant; Aroostook-
j. b. Libby; Cumberland-Rev. d. b. Ran
DALI Franklin-C. j. Talbot; Lincoln-E.
W. Stetson; WALDORF. w. Files; Knox
Geo. O. Payson; Oxford-Sidney Perham;
Somerset-S. ID. Lindsey; Kennebec-L. T..
Boothby; observation-disclosures Foss; Wash
ington-G. w. Drisko; Sagadahoc-David
o. Foye; Penobscot--Wm. Walker; Han
cock-L. A. Emery; York-B. F. Hamilton.
Col. Shaw of Paris addressed the conven-
ton briefly. He said that there was an nm
usual interest in the order of Good Templars
in the State. Large additions are being made
to the membership of the lodges. Thought
that open meetings are not SO permanent; the
reform movement demonstrates this. The
friends of temperance look to two sources for
strength and erowth-the children that are
coming up, and the church of Christ. Thought
that church members were hardly up to their
duty in this matter; the ease ought to be q
subject of prayer.
Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., Governor Of the
State, who had been selected as President of
the convention, then made his appearance,
and was received with applause. On being
introduced, the Governor said that he was
glad to greet the large assenblsge, gathered
from all parts of the State, to consul: with
reference to the prosecution of the great
cause of temperance. The cause lies at the
foundation OF all our interests. lie was glad
to see the great revival of interest in it,
This is 10 holiday affair; we are engaged in
a work that will last so long as man remains
what he is. Some are discouraged because
we make no faster progress, but if we look
back upon the time when rum drinking was
practiced in all circles, when nearly every
store was GROCERY, every hotel bar, and
ministers of the Gospel extended ''hospital-
ity" in the social glass, we shall see that true
progress has been made. The traffic is out
lawed, as far as the law in concerned. In
visiting some other States, where the laws on
the subject are unlike ours, he had felt that
the State Of Maine had an extra attraction for
him.
great advance has been made in public
opinion. That now sanctions the closing of
the dram shop. These men of forty and fifty
ypars' pXDpripnrp ia the causp could toll a
story of progress. They can readily recall
the time when it was a reproach to be known
as a temperance man. We have declared as
people that the rum traffic is illegal, and,
following our example, more than three
fourths of the States have pronounced in some
way against the sale Of liquor; and the en-
tire traffic is looked upon as disreputable
business. Prohibition has become the settled
policy of the State, and no one will undertake
to change it. Public sentiment says that the
law shall be enforced. The people are coming
up to this point more and more. After two
hundred years of license, the community has
settled down into the conviction that to license
such traffic is evil and nothing but evil. He
called attention to the importance Of public
meetings in elevating the sentiment Of the
people, the education of the children into the
principles of total abstinence, and that the
pulpit should raise its voice, and the press
speak out on this important subject.
The Governors address was received with
marked demonstrations of approval.
Mr.. Bryant of Lewiston, who had labored
for some time in the reform movement, was
the next speaker. There is mighty work
| before the temperance men and women of
Maine. The enemy has mighty power of
capital and influence. Our warfare is against
alcohol in all its forms; alcohol is the devil
!, Ioos tho mischief no is
against that traffic. Three rum murders in
Portland and one in Rockland within three
weeks-a sad commentary on the officials in
those localities. Use the law, and close up
these places. Thought the weaker" drinks,
as they are called, are doing great deal Of
harm everywhere. Total abstinence is the
only safe path to pursue. Spoke of those
who had been redeemed from the curse and
slavery of drinking. He was one of the num-
Der and was thankful that he had strength to
keep his pledge.
Judge TalmGn of Bath, said that rum is
the great enemy of the human race, in what
ever form it comes. Look at the jails and
penitentiaries, and graveyards: they tell a
tale of sorrow. Didn't believe in rum, even as
a medicine; It's sale ought to be prohibited for
that. He reviewed the progress of the cause.
Thought the time had come when we ought
to take another advance step We must
make rum odious. He made bold ard char
acteristicaly advanced speech.
On motion of Mr.. Randall, the following
committee was appointed on resolutions Rev.
ID. b. Randall, Cape Elizabeth; Henry Tall
man, Bath; George f. Bracket, Belfast; +.
w. Stetson, Damariscotta +. +. Shaw Paris
Joshua Nye, Augusta; G. 0. Payson, Rock
land.
committee was appointed on business
| and one to nominate a State Executive Com
mittee. Mr.. Stetson of Damariscotts, gave
an encouraging report of temperance matters
in Lincoln county
Mr.. Randall said that as the Woman's Suf-
frage Convention had adjourned over this af-
ternoon in order to attend the temperance
convention, he would move that when this
convention adjourn it be 20 Thursday morn
ing at ten o'clock. Mr.. Randall remarked
tina. the work of both conventions was init
mately connected. II the women of Maine
went to the ballet box, We should have officers
to enforce the law.
Mr.. Randalrs motion was carried, and the
convention adjourned.
BUFFALo, N. Y, Dec. ID, 1870.
Dir. II. V. Pierce-For the past six months
have used yovr Golden Medical Discovery