Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-30
State Temperance Convention.

Tie convention reassembled at Meonian
Hall yesterday morning at ten o'clock.
Called to order by Hon. E. W. Stetson Of
Damariscotta.
Prayer by Rev. John Allen of Pennington.
Records of former meeting read by the Sec
| rotary. The committee on business made a
report as to the programme for the days bust
ness. The report was adopted, and on mo-
ton of Hon. Joshua Nye, the vote adopting
| said report was reconsidered, to allow Miss
Eastman and Mrs. Gustn to address the con.
vention.
Bliss Eastman was then introduced to the
convention, and asked that woman might be
admitted to its deliberations. We are told by
many that women are responsible for the con-
tinuance of liquor shops. Give US an oppor-
| tunity to aid you-compel US, if you choose,
to recognize our obligation. l don't know
what women will do-they are fertile in re.
sources, ii they have the opportunity to de-
yelop them. She gave glowing account of
the improved tenement houses, and better
condition of the lower classes of children of
New York, all of which was due to the labor
of women.
Mrs. Gustin then made short address.
When we see this flood of vice flowing in up
| on us, we feel almost discouraged. This
question has some of the grandest intellects
the world has, engaged in its behalf. l know
Of all classes in the world, woman feel most
| the evils OF intemperance. She feels down
| deep in her heart a woe that men cannot feel
She needs no appeal to heart to aid you.
know that woman cannot do much on the sub.
| ieet of temperance without the ballot in her
hands. In the rounds of my parish work
meet this terrible evil in all its forms. She
related, with tears streaming down her cheeks,
| scenes which came under her own observa-
ton, among home cursed by intemperance.
l believe in the prohibitory law. l believe in
banshing from our land every vestige of
liquor We talk of the fearful destruction by
war. Rum, gin and brandy have destroys ed
more lives than war, pestiencc and famine
She closed with powerful appeal in favor of
| temperance, which was most favorably re-
| ceived.
| The report of the business Committee was
then adopted.
| Rev. ID. b. Randall chairman on Committee
of Resolutions, made report.
! Resolved, That while we rejoice and take courage
in view OF the great progress that has been made
| the temperance movement in the past, we should
not be indifferent to the Tact that the traffic in and
| use of Intoxicating liquors is prevailing to an
alarming extent in our State, especially in many of
our larger towns and cities. The crimes which re-
suit from this practice and the degeneracy of morals
| on the part of the young is truly alarming, and
calls for united and efficient action on the part of
l
| ing our State.
Resolved, That the reaction which is taking place
| Is owing il a great measure to the indifference and
inactivity of the churches and of men of position
and influence; and consequently there is not lie.
nand for the enforcement of the law upon the sub.
cct. Neither is there that moral power the COM
muny which would render tpplng unpopular
| and encourage and aid our youth in maintaining
| habits of sobrety. We also believe that the change
in the law last winter, which allows the indscrim-
| mate manufacture and sale of domestic wine and
cider contributes largely TO produce the result
| above alluded to.
Resolved, That we urge upon the citizens of the
several towns and cities of the State, irrespective
of sects or parties. to immediately take action fol-
the suppression Of this evil and we especially de
mand of the churches, in view of their high and
holy calling, to arouse themselves to considera
ton OF the enormity of the evils of intemperance
and that they take that action which they have the
power to take, to stay this mighty evil.
Resolved, That we recommend the appointment
of committee from this convention to consult with
committee already appointed by the Grand L odgt
OF Good Templars 10 request of the legislature now
in session so to amend the Maine law as that i
shall prohibit the manufacture and sale Of win'
and cider for tpplng purposes.
Resolved, That no motives of political expedi
ency, of partizan interest or personal friendship
shall induce us to give our votes for any man FOL
any Office in the gift of the people, where that fc,