The Morning herald., 1876-09-29
INTEMPERANCE.
THE GRANDEST WRANGLE OF THE
...,-..,..,.,,,. SEASON. .,.,


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The Temperance Convention at the Opera
Hossse-1t Breaks Up IN a Ro,0-A Poli-
tical Ring Captures tho Convention
Sharp Words and Ugly Looks =. A
Denoaensent.th that ,uas not Looked for,
The Temperance" Convention was called
to order in the Masonic Temple yesterday
afternoon at half past two o'clock, by Mr..
George W. Wells, Chairman of the .Execu-
tive Committee appointed to call the meet
ing. He stated that the meeting would
be opened with hymn. 5tt ''I
Mr.. William D. Pickles then led and the
delegates all Joined in the touching hymn
f'Nearer My God to Thee"
Rev. Joseph E. Smith lead in prayer, and
said we would humbly beseech Thee this
afternoon to enlighten us, and give us a
knowledge in the face of all opposition to
do our duty. Rendered thanks for the
great blessings of the Lords Kingdom, and
the great idols of iniquity we have seen 90
down before it. We now ask that another
idol may 20 down, and we ask that now
Thou hast put weapon in our hands that
we may smite down these idols. We thank
Thee that there are men who are not
bound to the ideas Of party, and we pray
Thee that the time may come when
men with moral sense in their bosoms
will teach politicians that their influence
has had its sway and that the people under
the guidance of God and his will, will con-
troll and direct the circumstances of gov
ernment. He appealed to the wisdom OF
God to guide the delegates to do their duty
10 God, to themselves and to the communi-
ties in which they reside. The prayer was
effectively delivered and met with loud res
ponses of Amen from all parts of the large
room. "5@
Mr.. Wells in stating the object ofthe meet
ing stated that it was inaugurated in the
name of God and humanity. We have be-
lieved that with so just and righteous a
cause one could chase q thousand, and two
put ten thousand to flight. He called at
tention to the terrible iniquity that is the
primary cause of this movement. The i'm
mediate cause of this convention is the fail
ure of the great political parties to present
candidates for Congress for whom we could
conscienttously vote. They nominated i'm
proper men Notwithstanding our protest.
There was no honorable course left us but
the one we have pursued.
He then spoke of the wickedness that had
been seen in high places for two or three
years. Men placed in high positions in the
general government have conspired together
to rob the people. You remember the sal
ary grab, the credit mobilier, the whiskey
rings. the Indian frauds and numberless
crimes on the part of individuals. You
have read the history of the State govern
ments and corporations, you know the
history of your own State and city govern
ments to your sorrow.
He then spoke of the violations of high
trusts, and how widows, orphans, mechan-
les and laboring men have been robbed. In
the midst OF this condition of things we are
met with the loud cry of reform, and each
of the great parties answer we are pure, we
are clean, we mean reform. All, gentlemen
be not deceived it is power they want, they
care not for poor suffering people so they
get power. Do the parties in this State
mean reform by choosing such standard
bearers for Congress? Do they mean re-
form when they are afraid to speak for the
truth? Do they mean reform when they
cater to the power of this cause ruin and
look to and depend upon 1t for support
We have asked some declarations from the
individuals who are asking office, that would
assure us, and they have been forbidden BY
the party managers from opening their lips.
They have had meeting and said to their
candidates "Sirs ye know by this craft
we have our wealth-moreover ye see that
these so called Temperance men, this laugh
ing stock to persons of like mind with US
are turning away much people, saying that
there be no Gods like unto the party we
have made. So that our craft is in danger
to be set at naught, and our great party
which we worship and through which we
get our gains to be destroyed. We must
rush with one accord upon them, we must
get the ministers whose churches we sup
port to preach against them, and with arti-
Ties in the papers, We must get Temperance
lecturers to lecture against them as they
are pertinent fellows. He then announced
the Convention open for business.
Rev. A. D. Davis, upon mo ion of Mr..
Geore W. Wells was unanimously made
permanent President of the Convention and
Mr.. George W. Humphreys was made Sec
retary.
A discussion then ensued as to the gov
ernment of the convention, and the rules OF
the Wilmington NJ. E. Conference We're
adopted for the government of the body.
Mr.. r. G. Fraim moved the appointment
of a Committee on Credentials which was
adopted, and the following we're appointed:
Messrs. A. Hill, Nelson j Lee and Chas. H
Septman. Considerable discussion ensued
as to who should be recognized as delegates
and who should not, but the Committee on
Credentials reporting that all persons In the
room we're duly accredited delegates.
Mr.. Nelson j. Lee moved the appoint
ment of a committee to make nominations
FIR Congress and the Legislature.
Rev. J. 3. Mann offered an amendment
nrovidinp that the two tickets already
nominated by the two parties shall be re-
ferred to the committee to be appointed.
Daniel B. Anderson stated that he had
previously moved for the preparation of
roll. He wanted action on this motion.
The Chair decided Mr.. Mann's motion was
before the convention. After further dis
cussiou. the committee was appointed as