National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-12
THE TEMPERANCE cAusE,
p .dien, MasEMaetinp al Matropolitan Chu

~ dies MassAeeting at Metropolitan Church
very large audience, composed Of the most
influential citizens, gathered at Metropolitan
church last evening to hear the deliberations OF
the members of the Ladies' Temperance Society,
organized last March. The church was taste
fully decorated with cedar and green leaves,
which were interviewer and arranged in festOons
along the walls and bslustrades and entWined
around the large columns supporting the CALLER
les. Bright green pines sprung up about the
chsneel like growing trees, the whole producing
q fine effect.
The ladies met at the residence Of Mrs Rev.
Mason Noble, and after some discussion as to
the plan Of action went to the church.
After the usual routine business. Mrs. Linville,
the president Of the society, stated the object Of
the meeting Rs being the creation Of public senti
ment in favor Of temperance. They were conscious
denotes and agonies of intemperance, and be-
leved 1t had Become their duty to work in the
cause. They meant to consummate their hopes
mainly by the creation OF universal moral senti-
ment In favor Of sObriety, and against the selling
and drinking Of intoxicating liquors as beve-
criminal guilt Of their sale and the d Anglers of
their use. They meant to resist the eRcroach-
ments Of AL liquor trsfhc, in every way which
iaE-aoiding Christian "emen could appropriately
Then she spoke of their determination to con-
time IN thstf efforts lTs. as long IS tipping
women were bliKhted and the souls and bodies Of
MEN DESTROYED,
and while the use Of liquor disqualifes a.man for
any Office within the gift Of the people, whether
municipal national. She earnestly called
upon an good men to join hands in the effort TO
that end.
She then introduced Mrs. Roach, who delivered
an impressive address, which ELECTED much SYM
patty.
He had come for only q few moments to give his
Endorsement and TO express his gladness that the
ladies had undertaken the work, and they were
there in the greatest cause before the country.
They would be sustained by benevolent and
humane hearts, He had been pledged to the
cause of temperance for forty-three years, and
had seen many good men borne down. Intemper-
ance had swept over all sections of our country,
cutting down some Of our best men. II crept into
our very natures and the practices Of society.
He wished the evil would go down. We should
labor by day and by night and give our example
to the world. Men need laws and the help of
Almighty God, but unless law be sustained by
public opinion 1t had little force and could not be
relied upon. He believed all Christian men and
women should unite throughout the country, and
commended them to the temperance cause. And
the movement deserved the prayers and Iabors of
the Churches, and he trusted these good women
would receive hearty support. He retired amid
Hon. Hiram Price, ex-Congressman of Iowa,
consented to make short address, and spoke
very enthusiastically Of
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
He aften brought the house down in laughter at
the eomical anecdotes which he incorporated into
his remarks, and again held their strictest atten-
ZION Dy his DehuIlIul elmlles. 1lere were men
who could be reached by moral suasion, but they
must reach some by legal suasiOn. He didn't
propose to make man religious, but would put
him where he could do no harm. He would
muster the forces under a great banner, with
''moral suasiOn' on one side and illegal sua-
sion" on the other. Then the history of intoxica-
tion and crime would exist only in the history Of
Mrs. Church (who, it will be remembered, wrote
the appeal to the Ladies Of Washington, fine
piece Of composition, delivered last summer, and
greatly resembling in style VIM. Cullen Bryant's
new poem, "AmoDg the Trees was taken by
surprise, but delivered a very fine address She
wanted to give her ideas and speak of taxes,
although it was generally supposed that women
knew nothing Of them. The men who raise the
grain did not pay the taxes. They charged the
distiller. The oistiller did not pay them. He
charged wholesaler. The wholesaler did not pay
retailer pay them for he charged the customer.
Then who paid the taxes? Somebody must pay
them. All! whoH Alas, too many pay them.
Alter the poor man had spent all his money, and
the landlord comes with his paper, the taxes of
inn rOvidence were then paid. A young man was
arrested, and then the
TAX OF LABOR
or money was paid to the municipal authorities
But there was q heavier tax. A man WAS taken
home unconscious, and then taxes Of tears and
grosns and prayers were paid.
A long list Of divorces had been granted be-
cause men had failed to support their families
and these were taxes. They who were working
in the temperance cause hoped that every one
present would unite in relieving women Of this
great tax Then the "Rock Of Ages" was chanted
and seemed very appropriate to the remarks
A collection was taken up by the ladies, while
Mr.. Drew, being called for, made the last ad-
dress, in which be Incorporated statistics showing
that there were 100 churches in the District
which gathered 30 900 members weekly to their
pews; there were 1000 drinking places through
which it required only week to pass bulk OF
humanity equal to the entire population Of Wash
ington. Then he illustrated how those engaged
in the liquor traffic returned no substantial be1e
Mt to their customers eulogizing persons engaged
in industrial pursuits.
He honored the artist sculptor, journalist, but
not the Buccaneers of life. He spoke OF the ia
miliar words Of Daniel Webster, himself drunk
ard in sdmonition Of the young man who hopes
and expects position in life that "hs will have to
carry dead weight" if he touched the intoxicating
cup.
Mrs. Linville, the president stated that there
would be meetings at p. m. every Thursday af-
ternOon, for devotional exercises, and made an
appeal to them to go and sign the irOn-clad
pledge of total abstinence.
DR.. Nolan made teryent prayer, and the meet
was adjourned.
Columbia Temple Of Honor held a meeting,
and adjourned 10 attend the mass meeting in
body. Mrs. Scidmore and other prominent cIti-
Zens have Endorsed this movement.