The Portland daily press., 1876-01-21

any cause enlisted greater ability, earnestness
and perseverance,, or made more skilful use of
tne whole armory of weapons applicable to the
nature of its contest, than this of temperance.
would simply indicate what believe to be
one OF the present essential requirements of the
cause. 1t is, to my mind the increase of the
friends of the law by convincing such of its
enemies as are open to conviction, through
solid, unimpassioned reasoning, that the law is
not inconsistent with those principles of per-
sonal freedom which all men of our race guard
SO zealousy
No matter how often or how we'll the work
may have been done, the arguments need to be
renewed, repeated and reiterated. The conse-
quent Strengthening Of the public sentiment
would ensure the stability of the law and
heighten 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 its accord with the gen.
eral spirit of our laws shall be made clear to
them.
All agree that there should be some restric-
tons upon the liquor traffic The debatable
ground is therefore reduced to narrow compass.
For myself, 1 cannot understand why society,
which Furnishes man for this and that conse-
quence of his act not wrongful in itself, cannot
as legitimately interdict whole course of ac-
ton, the innocent or Indifferent features of
which bear no comparison to the injuries it in
ficts. If those who would save the harmless
features of liquor selling-so far as society is
SouOoIutu-COulu present pldu WHICH WOulu
effect their object and exclude the wrongs it
causes, the case would be different. But all
such projects have proved totally imperative in
the more important respectsof the two.
1t is possible that other duties will prevent
my attendance throughout your deliberations;
but my interest will remain with you. trust
that your conference will give fresh heart and
hope to the beneticence in which you are en-
gagged.
The following are the closing paragraphs,
relating to the Reform Clubs and the Women's
Temperance Movement, of the address issued
to the people of Maine, and signed by Neal
Dow, J. K. Osgood, D. B. Randall, f. W. Cup
till, Mrs. M. G. Crossman, and Mrs. L. MN
Stevens:
There are now in active and efficient opera
lion IN Maine many powerful and influential
agencies which are helping in wonderful way
to accomplish the great end at which we aim.
The great Reform movement which begun in
Gardner four years ago this day, has now
spread all over Maine, is making rapid progress
throughout New England and in many of the
Northern and Western states. Many able men
who were formerly addicted to the free use of
strong drink, abandoned that habit almost SIM
ultaneously, and are now devoting themselves
with great earnestness and effect 10 the work
of spreading their principles and practices all
over the country; and these clubs constitute
powerful wing in the great temperance army.
The women of Maine also, have formed
many societies called Womens Temperance
Leagues, and in some localities Women's Tenn
perance Crusades, which are in active work,
producing powerful effect in educating the
people, especially the young, as to the injuri-
GUS and demoralizing effects of strong drink,
and in firing the hearts of our people with
burning indignation against the manufacture
of and traffic in those liquors.
There was formed last summer at Old Orch
ard Beach great society called the Wome ms
Christian Temperance Union of Maine, auxli-
ary to the National Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union.
The cause of temperance and prohibition now
holds vantage ground which it has never be-
fore occupied. All its friends are encouraged
and stimulated by success to greater efforts,
having reason to effect the speedy and final
triumph of the great work which they have
undertaken. NEAL Dow,
J. X. OSGooD,
ID. b. RANDALL,
+. W. GUPTILL,
MRS. M. c. CROssMAN,
MRS. T.. M. N. STEVENS.