The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-10

LII Is perhaps no cause for surprise that the
Chicago Tribune should fling caIumnies at
the late National Temperance Convention
in that city. That convention aimed to do
a work for which the Tribune has no ardent
sympathies, having some wholesome fears
regarding the effect of any temperance agi-
tation on the success of its own partv. IL
is well, however, for journal which laws
some claim to dignity and fairness, to keep
truth on its side even in criticising persons
whom it dislikes. 1t says that "a resolution
was offered providing that the work done by
the organizations of reformed drnnkards.
known as the Reform'Clu.s of New England
and Illinois, abundantly justifes the addi-
ton Of this agency to those already opera
tive in the temperance cause. and that we
heartily recommend the organization of
such clubs in every state." 1t then proceeds
TO magnify the work done by these cIub s
ana to berate the convention because it
says ''it recommitted this resolution. and
then adjourned sine die without ever recog-
nizlng IL, or calling for its consideration.
but devoted the remainder of the time to
various absurd and wicked things, aud
and among others to ga vigorous
and characteristic denunciation of
Anna Dickinson" Now, one of two things
is certain, either the Tribune wrote thus
confidently in utter Ignorance OF the facts,
or else 1t lied. Such resolution was offered,
and there was in the convention no single
voice of condemnation of the work done at
these clubs. There was a difference of
opinion about the name which these organ
izstions should bear, and to settle that mat
ter the resolution was sent to a committee
raised for that purpose, and with
in an hour reoffered to the convention
and adopted without dissenting vote.
There is sentiment among temperance peo-
pie that 1t is kind OF hopeless task
to be forever reforming men whom the hquor
business has in their opinion unnamed |
debauched, and ruined, but it is a work |
which every advocate of temperance is more
than willing to engage in. Their most |
direct opponents never deny them that vir-
tue. So much for the Trlbune's criticism |
this point. Anna Dickinson was intro
duced to the convention, and listened to
with not only respectful, but enthusiastic
attention. Demonstrations of applause
were iTequenb ana often long continued and,
some in the convention did not APP
prove all that she said, some of them put
ting prayer higher in the scale of agencies
and the ballot lower than Miss Dickinson
lid, yet to say that the convention denounced
ner. is as bald misstatement as any news
paper was ever guilty of, The Tribune says
this convention from first to last howled,
begged, implored and demanded politics as
the panacea for intemperance." This
sounds rather strange beside the fact that
Ifter long and earnest debate, the conven-
ioa almost unanimously-it is reported
hat there was but one dissenting
against the formation of a {
party, and the few :
nen who went there with axes Z
that sort to grind, went {
Iome with their axes duller than ever. This 9
> not written with an idea. of converting :
he Tribune from its conviction of the po- 9
ltical dangers of temperance alliance, but 9
n answer to its travesty upon the doings of l !
convention which was not certainly above r
riticism in all respects, but which was Q
onspicuous for doing just exactly the oppo-
lite of what this paper charges against it.