Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-20

unwilling ones of the baneful habit; science,
teaching that alcohol is injurious alike TO pody anu
mind: and religion and morality, warning OF Its
destruction to the soul and all the higher powers
that man has been endowed with; SOCIAL economy
presenting its statistics of the cost, the "asteioI
ness and utter unprohtablencss OF the use OF IN
toxicating liquors, and humanity, crying out !ni.
ploringly against the countless woes II entali''
and ali these voices have their expression IN Inc
law upon the statute books which sets an authori-
tative seal of colonization upon the sale oil iquofs
and makes all who engage in it illegally as the ue-
ers Of their fellow citizens and the eneies Vi tue
public good.
The call for this convention Indicates purpose
to adhere to the two methods Of acton which have
thus far been pursued with such signal success
the persuasive method and the coercive 1t Is
idle to query which is the better and more ethca-
cious Both are needed; each supplements and
reacts favorably upon the other. The law, II 1t
does no other good, denotes the sentiment OF a
majority of the people and thus lends moral
weight 10 conciliatory efforts. On the other hand
persuasion induces greater respect Tor the Ia" .
IN the presence of the manifold kindly acts ana
the unwearied persistence which characterize !ne
efforts of temperance pen and women 10 incIint !.
all to practically side with them, tne opPonen'' -
the law cannot without shamefacedness stigmatlze
it AZ the offspring of fanatical and tyrannlcal
,prit. Rat The persuasive method has the I'M
portant advantages Of drawing 10 ltsel tue aP-
proyal of the whole community, almost without
axcentios. and of doing noble work which IS
entirely beyond the scope OF the compulsory
method. Here at least there can be no mistake :
here every instrumentality at command-tonSue
and pen, individual and organized eherGies may
be exered to the utmost of their powers, and none
can gaipsay the fairness of the trinmphs That are
sure to follow. Your presence to-day Is an a.sur-
arce that there will be no relaxation OF the siren
uous work in this direction, which mas ds'h-
guished the temperance movement IN these later
years.
would not presume 10 advise what iurthet inc
of action SHOULD be followed. Seldom has any
cause enlisted greater ability, earncstnes' an" per
severance or made more skillui use OF the whoe
armory of weapons applicable to the nature OF MS
contest than this of temperance. wouii SIMPLY
indicate what believe to be one OF the present,
essential requirement Of the cause. IL l., 70 my
mind the increase of the friends Of the Law by Goa.
vincing such Of its enemies as are open to convic-
ton through solid, unimpassioned reasoning, that
the law is not inconsistent with those principles OF
personal freedom which all men OF our race guard
20 zealousy.
No matter how often or how well the work may
have been done, the arguments need to DC renewed
repeated and reiterated. The consequent strength
ening of the public sentiment would ensure inc
stability of the law and heghten its efficiency.
believe the class of citizens TO be considerable IN
point of number and character, who would become
The friends of the law the moment It's accord WIN
the general spirit OF our laws shall be made clear
to them.
All agree that there should he some restrictions
upon the LIQUOR traffic. The debatable ground =
therefore reduced to narrow compass. Tor my
self. cannot understand why society, which pun
ishes man Tor thus and .ha' Consequence VI M
act. not wrongful in itself, cannot as iegiiimately
intsrdict whoie COURSE " VIZ -
the injuries it nhcts. If those who would save the
harmless features OF liquor selhng-so lar as 90
ciety is concerned-could present plan which
would effect their object ana eNeiuae the wrongs
causes the case would be different. But all such
projects have proved totally imperative in the
more important respect OF the two
1t is possible that other duties VIII prevent my
attendance throughout your -. Nr 49,
interest vii! remain WIN you. ~ mt ~ ~
conference will give fresh heart anu nope 10 tue
benefcence in which yoa are engaged
The speech OF General tohh'F VA t'""'f
applauded at its close. a.. Atlantic;
On motion oil ten: Ne"' A,oM tue ~, - =,
committee was appoiotto " oia'' a az ~ ~ -
the people of Maine Neal l,o"' u. Il. hahaaH'
J. X. Osgood, r -" Dop'"i, MITE 9'''en-' -''s'
Crossman.
Reports were hcAt IN otuei 'ioAl wv 'N''' 49,
clubs in the State. ..., o-ao ,o,,,,-
o. 3. Chadbourne OF Saco' repo''eo -,oo n nS
on the iron clad pledge OF the reform cruz. iheie
is not an open bar IN saco. APo.neeaiy suoi'
don't deal out the slops churcnes are w.
awake; glorious meetings are ne4u' ne V'N''''
that York was the banner county ,.,.,,, :,
David Potter. President OF the feiorih NIuo ~
Gardner, saia ihal ~ VIC loai ,rn h,rlrc1
the club, from eleven hHhufeu 10 t"enI @ a
persons have signed the pIeoge' iie Ia" ~ 'ne
time WHen IL was Haio WIN ~ 80 '-i"
diner, but it was not 80 now on account ol neS
lect Of officers to enforce me Jaw; !heIe W. WI,
at least fifty hard drinkers VINO hsd not gone "4eA
on their pledge.
j. X. Osgood the ialLer Oh thc Itio.n 49, 80,
ment in Maine made an ercoursgihg report i!ou'
New Hampshire, where he naa oeeh 4aooi'nk
Eleven thousand names mad oeeh sisneu ~ . .he
pledge, in the meetings he had a'tehdeu' anu tn i
wave of reform was sweeping over tne """ie
state. The rum traihc IS ceaa uueh III NV f'''
He was greatly encouraged 10 90 on 49,.
E. W. Stetson oil Damarisco'ta, .epoit.u ma
there was no temperance organization WHAT ea II,
his town. The reform club, Good 1empiafs, anu
Cold Water Temple have all diea ouI-staiNeu 10
death for want of moral support. Inc I'M is'iah
church has not come up 10 the wola proper y,
was happy, however, to report thst not a aroP Oh
liquor could be got in town at any priee.
Mr.. Rand of Lisbon, sad that last March re-
form club was started IN his town. Tue neciens pc
ing just six persons who resolved to cash me IN
toxicating cup from their bps hen the inetnoer.
OF the club see drinking man they 20 LOT hni'
10 reclaim him. The c!uo now numbers one nun
dred who have teen hard drinkers ana SIN nun
bred in all have slgned the IRON cia1 pieoSt.
Christian people hold IN Their hands, ana an WORK
together for the public good. NO glass OF any
thing intoxicating can be bought IN town. even
haer is hauisheG Mr. Raud concluded ::