The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-03-05
SECRETARIES.
l.. NJ. Webb, of Portland.
W. +. Morrill,. of Deering.
John Richards. of WallOhf

opli iitHsildN, VI w
Gov. Dingley was received with APP
| plause as he stepped forward He said
that as temperance man he remained TO
this meeting, though business at Augusta
demanded his attention. He expressed his
strong sympathy with the objects of the
gathering, and spoke warmly Of the ne
cessity OF creating a public sentiment in
| favor of temperance. The enforcement
| Of law depends in large measure upon
| this public sentiment The abuse of this
sentiment does not excuse derelicton of
| duty on the part of officers, however. The
present prohibitory law is the best ever
put upona statute book. In the county of
Androscoggin with its two cities, there is
| not single open dram shop. and drunk
| enncss is rare. Owing to the enforcement
| OF the law in that county the evils of in
temperance are kept within the closest
| possible limits. 1t does not entirely ac-
| complish its object We have statutes
against titn, DnL there are thieves still:
we have laws against murder, but tl.unc
are murderers still. No human statute
entirely accomplishcs its objects The
prohibitory law, when enforced is as eff
tective rs others. Still, as the basis of law,
we need moral suasion. In society. in the
church, in the charitable and other associ-
atoms, in all places where men gather to-
getherthis subject should be a9itated Law
can only supplement moral suasion. Law
is necessary, tor moral suasion alone can
not accomplish its object. The temptation
OF the open dram shop must be taken from
out the path OF the reformed man Law
| aud moral suasion must 90 hand in hand
Too little attention has been paid 10 moral
SuiSiOn and too much to law
The Governor strongly condemned any
local officer who neglected to enforce the
law for fear of interfering with the sheriffs
The primary duty Of enforcement is with
them. They know the haunts Of vice, they
can best suppress the dram shops The
duty OF the sheriifs Is only supplementary,
OF at least concurrent. A sheriff of the
county OF Cumberland told the speaker
that he would be glad to have the assis-
| lance OF the local officers. for he needed it.
have given orders to every sheriff in the
State to enforce the law. They are doing
their best. Let the local officers support
them, and create 4 local public sentiment
which will sustain these local officers. 1t
IS the local feeling which too often para
Yves the officers We cannot expect them
to heartily do their duty unless we extend
to them our sympathy and support. One
OF the greatest works for men to do in
those localities where the law is not en-
forced IS to go to the officers and tell them
| that You support them. You must mani
| lest the true public sentiment which really
exists. Unless they think themselves sup
| ported they become faint hearted The
foundations OF the movement must be laid
by the public press and the church OF Christ
great work has been done during the
past forty Years by the veterans OF the
temperance cause, and the progress is en-
couragng, but much remains to do. Coy
lomgley closed by pledging himself to do
all IN his power. This declaration was
greeted with warm applause
During the day speeches were made By
Revs. Messls. Thompson, Pitblado, Luce.
Munson Small, by Gen. Hall, J. W. Don
gan, ii. Nj. Bryant, and Capt S:urteyant.
The following resolutions We're adopted
Whereas, We have not realized what we and
all good men have desired in the cause of tenn
perance III the past, we nevertheless have full
courage ana belief that by perseverance in the
right Use OF means We are sure TO conquer:
therefore
Resolved, Whilst we believe that all true reform
on Inc part OF Incorporate must be the sincere
-
help to abandon the use of alcohol in every
form, we still believe that in order to succeed in
reforming individuals and communities we must
nave the help of the evil authorities And we
therefore
Resolve, That we demand that every civil Off
Ger ON whom rests the responsibility of enforcing
me law do his work to the fullest extent and
we are determined to hold him accountable
therefor.
Resolved, That We give such officers our
ht'ulieSl support and encouragement, and we
pledge ourselves to sustain them to the utmost
of cur ability in their work
Resolved, That we recommend that i'm all
cities where open violations of the prohibitory
law exist, and where active eXertion ON the mari
of the local authorities to enforce the same is
not made, that Il legal town meeting of the
voters of such cities be called for the purpose of
instructing municipal authorities to enforce the
law.
Resolved. That the action of the State Tenn
the formation of State Alliance similar to that
existing in The State of Massachusetts, is heartily
endorsed by this meeting.
Resolved, That we recognize the church as a
most powerful instrument in the temperance
reform, and we call upon its ministers and
members to sustain and uphold all movements
designed to advance this cause.
fesolved, That we recognize the utility of
mort with the children in the incupating of
aanperance principles, and that special juvenile
olSaliZatlon is needed for making such work a
complete success
Kesolyed, That a vote of thanks he eytondad
~ t liis L4celency, Gov. Dingley, for his noble
:taiiu ana manly speech made before this meet
Hls liiis morning, and for the generous assur-
iiice " ilio 10 the extent of his power for the
execution % .lle law against the manufacture
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