The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-02-28

tne next speaker He Thought the IN -
BILE importance of the subject should ne s.ioni
" impressed upon the minds of the people,
local officers fail to execute laws ~ 70
they are not backed up by popular hn ths
Perhaps the politicians 40 no ha III been told anf
believed the tale. that the CITY MarShal OF
Portland had been importuned to close an IN
famous rum hole on the SaDoatn, ana mad de-
clined saving it was none OF his business. Mr.
Thonnson here drew terrible and entirely un.
trne picture of the condition of Portland, max.
ing wild and absurd statements to the effect
that men, women and children could be found
drunk at any hour in the streets of Portland.
His pictures were darkened beyond all proba-
billty
Rev. Mr. Pitbiado followed Mr.. Thomson.
The speaker remarked that he had been warn.
ed not to appear, because the convention was
au aXe-grlnding concern. But he came here,
believing that he who did not defend temper
ance did not love his God. Mr.. Ptblado here
wandered off into a disquisition on wine-bib-
blng countries and the matter OF moderate
drinking. He condemned moderate drinkers
and intimated, in his drol way, that their
chances for heaven were exceedingly small.
He professed belief in legal as well as moral
suasien, and thought the present law a great
deal better than those who should execute il
This matter of execution seems little odd. No
one acknowledges any blame in the matter
and all say the rum shops will be closed-pexi
year. Let us show the men who don't enforce
the law to the door. Mr.. Pitblado here came
tie pulpit must bring out public sentiment
These powers are too much given "a
trucking. Another luethod of expression is at
the polls, but tie politicians generally manage
70 stlne expression Mr.. Pitblado was very
amusing, and kept his audience smiling.
Gen. Hall of Damarscotta, followed Mr.
Pitblado, announcing himself as a politician.
he claimed that our legislators were in advance
statute book which would close every rum sbop
III Maiue were it but enforced If that law Is
not enforced the public are to blame Public
opinion mustsbe brought to the support of the
law. Begin with the childred. Let the teach
ers in the day and the Sunday Schools impress
the matter upon the minds of their pupils.
Gen. Hal, paid high tribute to Marshal Par
ker and said he believed the Marshal would en-
force any law supported by public sentiment.
He prophesed that the day willfcome When no
liquor will be sold or manufactured in this
country. He closed by saying that we must
get at the heart of the people. aud not the
head. His speech was a notably sensible
one.
Rev Mr.. Luce of Portland was the next
speaker He spoke of the necessity of agita-
ton, aud of awakening an enthusiasm of pur-
pose IN the hearts OF the people. Let temper
ance be preached from pulpits SUNDAY after
Sunday. Let the women take IL up. aud work
with their husbands and fathers aud brothers.
The politicians have gagged us and befoyeed
us. The Republicans have bidder US keep
still because u was the party Of moral ques-
But hold that as far as moral questions are
concerned there Is no choice between the par-
ties. We need a mnnicfpai government 20 en-
force the laws Every church member should
unite IN supporting good Temperance man, no
matter what his asteccIents NAV beat the p,lls
next Monday. Then the hcll-holes in Portland
will be- closed.
Rev. Mr. Munsou Of Turner next addressed
the meeting. Tie thought We needed more
earnestness. Then METHODS will suggest them
selves. He was followed bg Dr. Brick~tt 81
Augusta, who cpntendea thar the present con
dition Of aaain was due 10 the dying out Of
the rcfurm movement % two years ag0.-
Christians must take hold q the matter, must
cease boarding at rum hotels and encouraging
rum drinkers.
Rev. Mr Small Of Portland vas loudly called
upon Tor remarks, and iheagh labcring under
severe indisp0siti0n. made a few earnest aud en-
oouraglug remarks. lie SAID be was anxious To
speak, because the position Of the ministers
bad - frequently been misrepFesented. He
did not bclieye there had been any change Ia
public SENTIMENT Two years ago citizens re-
loiced because the law was rigidly enforced L.
Those citixeus have not changed In sentiment
They would welcome enforcement as heartily
now as then. There Is an overwhelming pub
NC sentiment IN favor of the Jaw. II il appears
otherwise Il Is because men have been cheated
by those whom they have chosen 70 support
the law. The authorities cannot excuse them
selves BY calling upon the press aud the pulpit
anu the schools 70 build up public sentiment
At this point the committee on resolutions
follows: '
Whereas we have not realized what we and
all good men have desired in the cause of tenn
peTance IN the past we nevertheless have full
courage and belief that by perseverance in the
right use Of means we are sure to conquer;
therefore
Resolued, Whilst we believe that all tre re-
form on the part of the incorporate must be
the sincere work of the heart with deter nina
ton by Gods help to abandon the use of alco-
ho in every form, we still believe that in order
to succeed in reforming individuals and COM
munities we must have the help Of the civil au-
thorities. Aud we therefore
ReSotced, That we demand that every civil Of
hcer on whom rests the responsibility of en-
forcing the law do his work to the fullest ex-
tent, and we are determined to hold him ac.
countable threfor.
Resolved That we give such officers our
heaftiest support and encouragement, and we
pledge ourselves to sustain them to the utmost
OF our ability in their work.
Resotued, That we recommend that in all
cities where open violations of the prohbtOry
law exist, and where active exerton on the
part OF the local authorities to enforce the
same, is not made, that legal town meeting
of the voters of such cities be called for the
purpose of instructng municipal authorities to
enforce the law.
Resolued That the action of the State Tenn
perance Convention at Augusta in regard to the
formation of State Alliance similar to that
existing in the State of Massachusetts is hearth
ly endorsed by this meeting.
RESOLVED, That we recognize the church as
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.
ReSOlUed, That we recognize the utility of eff
fort with the children in the intoxicating of
temperance principles, and that special juven-
lie organization is needed for making such
work a complete success.
On motion of A. J. Chase the resolutions
were laid upon the table till the evening meet
ing.
Adjourned till 7.30 o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
In the evening City Hall was crowded to its
utmost capacity by an interested audience.
Every seat was filled, and the asles and the
rear of the hall were packed by those unable
to obtain sitting room. After music by the
Portland Band, the meeting was called to order
by L. NJ. Webb, who announced as the chair
man of the evening Mr.. Andrew j. Chase of
Deering. Mr. Chase assumed the chair, and
the opening prayerAvas made by Rev. o. NJ
Cousens of Kennebunk
The resolutions were then taken up and op-
ened for discussion. Rev. Mr.. Luce was the
first speaker He strongly advocated the reso
perhaps they had been remiss. He bespoke the
prayers Of all for the success of the temperance
movement II the authorities neglect their
duty, remoye them If we take hold of this
movement In earnest II will be as difficult to
get drunk in this city as it was a year ago.
(Sarcasm
Mir I've read the following resolutions which
had been handed to him:
Resolved, That we have faith in the virtue
and Feasibility of the execution Of the prohib-
itOry law now on our statute book. il its execu-
ton can be placed in the hands of thorough
temperance men; aud we hereby pledge our
selves that in elevating men TO the offices
charged with the execution of this law, we will
vote only for meu who are either pledged to ex-
ecuie It, or are known TO be outspoken in their
Temperance princips $.
ResotUed, That the thanks of this convention
be extended to the Senators and Representa-
tives of Maine in Congress. for their course in
connection with the measure asking for Ma
tional Committee to investigate and report the
effect of the traffic in intoxicating liquors upon
the people of the United States.
j. w. Donegan of Bangor, then addressed
the convention in brief and earnest speech
He was followed by Hon. Joshua Nye. Mr..
Nye believed that there was strong public sem
timent in favor of the prohbitory law. He
then mentioned the crusade of the Western