Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-03
THg CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE.


Lecture by q. ". Rain, P. G. W. CT.
OF Kentueky-DeeP Interest Mani
tested.
G. w. Balm, Past Grand Worthy Good
Templar Of Kentucky, commenced a series
of lectures 10 be delivered in this city and
Edgefeld, a. the Central Baptist Church,
South Nashville last night. There was a
large attendance and considerable interest
was manifested.
After an appropriate prayer had been
offered by DR.. Perkins, the lecturer was in
trOduced by Rev. Mr.. Inman, pastor of
the Church, in a few well-timed
remarks. Mr.. Balm said that il
afforded him much pleasure 10 lift his voice
in the cause of temperance for the first time
in the city Of Nashville. He had been
working for five years in the State of Ken
lucky in behalf of the same cause. He was
not there to abuse any one, nor 10 deal in
prosecutions, but to do good if be could;
neither was he there to magnify his sub
jet above the importance that justly be-
| lOnged 10 il.
In all the long black catalogue Of vices to
! which man was addicted in this world, in
temperance claimed the greatest prOmI-
hence. The evil was financially, socially,
and religiOusly loss, but notwithstanding
the fact he doubtless would not meet a
| single man that would discuss the other
side Of tie question with him; but, if lie
we're to strike the churches, Odd Fellows,
Masons or Grangers, he would find forty
men who would be willing at once to enter
into the debate. The people of this eoun-
| Try did not recognize the extent of this
|
Of the statistics relative to the manufacture
/ Of and traffic in liquor, they would
| perhaps have a much better under
/ standing of its evil consequences.
| According TO the report of the United
| States Internal Revenue Commissioner for
| the year 1873, there were z95,0O0,0O0 gal
| ions Of liquor breWed, 90,000,000 gallons
| distilled and 100000 imported, which if
put in barrels, eight barrels 70 the wagon,
| would make 4 train long enough. to reach
| from here to San Francisco. Nine-tenths
| Of all the crime committed in this country
| was caused by the use Of ardent spirits.
| In NiGeland New jersey, town of sew
eral thousand inhabitants, there never was
a dram shop and there has not been a man
in Jail for fifteen years charged With a
! criminal Ollense. Mr.. Balm was probably
Nineland, is now in Jail for fatally shoot
| ing Mr.. Carruth, editor of paper published
! there.-REPORTER. The police expenses
Of this town last year were only So.
Five years ago, Trimble county, Ken.
lucky had dram shops all over it; there was
crime, pauperism and everything else that
resulted from the liquor traffic, but now
there were no dram shops, no criminal
not a paUper in the county. This was
owing to the enforcement of the Local OPP
ton law. They might as well try to re-
gulate a whirlwind IS to regulate the
liquor traffic. He was in favor of cutting
oil the supply and labOring away at
the demand until both would be
upon al equal footing. This was the only
way 10 put a stop to inlempeTance. In the
Kentucky Legislature, only three votes
were cast against Local Option, while in
the Tennessee Legislature the friends Of
the measure could not obtain a twO-thirds
vote TO take it up and pass it on its second
reading. But he hoped that matters would
turn out better Tor Tennessee in the future.
[ EdeE the operation Of the law in Ken
lucky, dTam-ShOps were closed up in 800
towns.
lie was not IL favor OF such a law as
was now in force in Ohio, which required
liquor dealers to pay the wives of deceased
drunkards for their loss. No woman
would be willing TO take remuneration for
the death Of her husband under such cir
cumSt ancGS.
The speaker feeliRgly referred to several
distinguished persons who, he said, had
filled drUnkaTd's graves, ami held this up
as a warning and aGmOnitiOn to the young
er persons Of his audience. He had taken
the pledges Of 1900 people in Kentucky;
bU, D. was very hard to save a drunkard, as
about only one out Of twenty ever kept the
pledge.
Elr. Balm concluded his lecture with an
earnest appeal to those present 10 give in
their names and become members Of the
Order Of Good Templlrs. Several we'll
known citizens were called upon to 90
among the audience and solicit names, |
which they did, and in very short time |
obtained the pledges Of twanty-four per |
sons TO become members. Mr.. Balm will |
deliver another lecture at McFeuin's |
Chapel, in North Edgefield, tonight.
At halfpast three o'clock tomorrow al |
ternOOn there will be { temperance mass |
meeting At McClures Hall, Edgeield.