The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-03-28
TEMPERANCE.
MEETING AT WASHINGTON HALL LAST
NIGHT.

uLL1 L1uBuCbt VI NuV IAu9 ShSSb hAs
e, Church, was the first speaker, He said
that he wished he had the power 10 pOr-
tray the evils OF intGmperanCo, II seemed
as Il Il was impossible 10 portray them 10
the world In all their phases. We can sec
some oil them with the natural eye. We
can see certain physical results. But there
are unseen and almost unheard Of results
that but very few OF Us can properly I'm.
delstand or appreciate. No tongue or
pen can exsggerAte the misefy, the DESC
lation, the perditlOn that have been
wrought by those engaged In this traffic.
II tho statistics that enter into the discus.
sion OF this question, and that throw so
much light on 1t, could be sdduCed here
tonight, yet still, Notwithstanding the
revelations that might startle US, we
could not hope TO fully comprehend all
the perniClouS results 10 society that d.
rectIy and indirectly result from the use Of
intoxicating drinks, 1t Is estimated that
there are in the United States 10000
places where liquor Is sold at retail.
When We ado TO the persons engaged In
retailing 1t, those who are employed In
diStilllng 1t and IN wholesaling it, the
whole number, 1t Is said, will amount 70
about $4,000 persons who are engaged
in the unholy traffic. just think Of the
streams Of deadly influence going out
constantly upon society from 1870 900 re-
tail liquor establishments. Then add 10
these the influences that proceed from the
wholesale establishments, and the dis.
tilleries, and altogether they make a
mighty current OF baneful influences, the
effects oil which but few Of us can appro-
ciate. 1t is estimsted that 90, 600 persons
die every year in the United States from
the effects Of intemperance, and that 2O0,.
600 children are more than orphaned
from the same cause. What reflection
Is this 10 take to our hearts What d
picture Of desolation does 1t convey to
our minds Is 1t not time that public
attention was aroused to this subject, and
public sentiment educated up 10 doing
It's duty in the premises. And although
we may differ as TO the best means OF do.
ing our duty, let us not divide our strength
and influence on that account. Let us all
realize that we have common enemy 10
dght-an enemy that will yet take the
nations lie If 1t is not overcome.
The speaker said that he ielt oncour-
aged by the outlook oil the temperance
cause, Notwithstanding the many I'm.
toward influences that resist It's progress.
He was hopeful Of final although he did
expect speedy victory, over this great
evil. He lelt hopeful because the noble
women Of the land had enlisted In the
cause. He also felt hopeful because OF the
evidence that public opinion was working
up TO higher standard all 1.-The time. He
illustrated this by referring 10 the TACT that
once 1t was common for ministers to drink
stimulants with their friends. Nova.
days the public do not look with IA
vor on q minister who even drinks
wine. 1t demands that he shall keep
himself tree and uuspotted from COM
plicity in this practice. He also felt hope.
lul because Of the more general recogni
ton OF the fact that 1t is 10 religion that
we must look for aid against lntemper
ance. 1t is now seen that human agen.
cieS alone will not do. The people are
engaged in prayer for help in the great
work before them. In regard TO what
direction the present movement should
take in our midst, he presumed not 10
say. He was willing to see the Christian
women who had It IN charge, follow out
their conviction OF duty. He did not be.
licve that it was improper for such wo-
men TO follow where duty led them.
Wherever God would go with them it
was proper for them 10 90.
After Mr. Hughes had finished his re-
marks, and after hymn had been sung,
Mrs. L. A. Hagans, the President Of the
Ladies Band, said that good deal had
been said In regard 10 the influence that
women might exercise Il they had the
ballot. There was another influence,
however, already in their power, that they
might exercise if they would only deter.
mine to do 80. She referred to the fact
that women did not sufficiently throw
their social influence on the side Of absii.
ne nee when stimulants were introduced
in their presence. This was especially
true in the holiday seasons. She had
heard one Of her friends say that out Of
nineteen New Years calls that he made
wine had been offered him OF fifteen. This
was great social error, in her judgement.
II has calculated 10 lead many persons
astray, 1t had lured many poor youth
into the path Of ruin. She then spoke Of
an experience Of her own, at the
house Of friend where they had
three different kinds Of wines on
the table at dinner, and where she
telt 1t 10 be her duty to resist the kind i'm
portunities Of her friends to participate
with them. She felt as II the women Of
this community and Of all communities
could exert most important influence II
they would only set a proper example on
such occasions. And this they would do
If they only realized the fearful RESPONSE
bility that we assume when we encourage
a single human being to put the intoX-
lCating glass to his or her lips.
After these remarks Of Mrs. Hagaus, she
requested the Rev. Mr.. Davis, formerly
pastor Of the Thomson Chapel, on the
Island, 10 make few remarks to the au.
dience. Coming forward, in obedience 10
this invitation, the reverend gentleman re.
cited an extract from an article that he
had committed many years ago In regard
w WV "tNSiJ VI
intemperance. he also told Of two or
three impressive examples and warnings
Of its evil influence that had come under
his own observation. -
At the close Of Mr.. Davis address, no.
tice was given by the President that the
meeting was open for volunteer remarks
from any one in the audience.
MIR. o. K. Ellilritz arose and alluded 10
communication that had appeared in
one Of the papers assaillpg the remarks
he had made in the Hall on former &C.
cssion, on the ground that they were
prompted by political intrigue. BE had
no purpose TO subserve save Q good and
disinteEested one, in referring to any pub.
lie officer. The question had been asked
why the attention Of officers was not
called 10 violations Of the law. he did
not conceive that to be the duty of citi-
Zens. These officers were elected and
paid 10 properly discharge their duties. Il
was their duty to keep themselves In.
formed as to how the laws were obeyed. |