The Portland daily press., 1876-08-10

| the laboring men, the crimes that abound, ac-
cumulation of debt that stands in the way of
every enterprise; these and kindred result
ing troubles set even those not specially dispos-
eo 70 reflection, to tracing out the causes of this
condition of affairs and to exploring for the
nlndranees that must be removed to make way
| Ior better times and morals. We all know that
THESE evils are in great part the baneful lega-
cy OF war. But in striving to shake them oil,
| 10 turn this frame of things the right side
| up the people ara blind if they do not see how
| greatly their struggles are counteracted by al
cohol and the unfriepdly host,t leads against
them.
The "whsky ring was indeed a Shiny hor-
ror and justly excited disgust and Indignation
But 1T was only comparatively Insignificant
INK in the long whisky chain that is now coil
ed around hearthstone and workshop, and farm
ana counting room, corrupting manhood, en-
tanghng helpless innocence in a common suf-
1ering with wickedness and guilt, burdeniDg
communities and gnawing canker-llke into the
vltals of the nation. Loose that corroding
chain, unwind its deadly coils, shatter its lOath-
some Inks, and the untettered people can bear
thelr burdens and bring back prosperity as
easily as a giant can perform the task Of a
child. All considerations of patriotism, ma
terlal and moral progress, of chivalrous regard
Tor the welfare of the helpless and weak, and
OF every obligation, cry out against submission
| mission. AS we look back this Centennial
year over the hundred years of our national
life and review the work of the century here
and through the civilized world, there is some
the material progress Of which we boast, excel
lent as it is. 1t is the growth of good will
among men, the marked diminution of mans
lnhumanity to man. Railroads, telegraphs
steamships, machines that serve industry and
tighten labor, discoveries that rob pain of It's
terrors, new arts and seiences-what are these
weighted against the abolition of sertdom and
slavery, the improved treatment Of the insane
and OF criminals, and the thousand and one
charities which have been instituted for the
benefit of outcasts and the unfortunate? 1t is
an inventive age in more senses than one.
New ways are being found for doing good. The
spirit of the age is against the tyranny and
cruelty of incompetence.
This thrODg before me exemplifies that spirit.
10 you, whether from the North, South East
or West, or over the seas, who have met on her
soil to further the success of a reform that is
dear to her, Maine gives glad and hearty well
come. In her name wish you the largest
measure of success; that your deliberations
may be full of profit TO the worthy cause you
have in hand, and that you may go hence with
renewed hope of its speedy triumph.
Across the ocean, in the old home, gallant
array presses the contest steadily in the face of
overwhelming odds, and such spirit is theirs
that they must eventually triumph. Said Pal
merstOn to the French Emperor, ''Tbe troops of
other nations may be as brave as ours, but the
English soldier has about ten minutes more
tenacty than any Others" The national char
acterlstics will be borne out by the vigorous
temperance advocates of the United Kingdom
In the irrepressible conflict they are engaged in
they will stick the extra ten minutes needed to
win the victory, whether the call shall come
soon or years hence To those representatives
here today of our transatlantic brothers by
community of origin and of purpose, we ex-
tend cordial and special greeting.
The able address of Governor Conner was
several times interrupted with applause. At its
conclusion DR.. Brickett of Augusta proposed
three cheers for the Governor, which were
given with will, the great audience rising.
America was then sung by the large audi
dence, and as the notes of the grand old hymn
rose in the air the effect was striking and
grand
Mr.. Raper of England, followed in behalf of
the National Temperance Association. Mr..
Rapers remarks are always listened to with
marked attention. He made some very forci-
BILE arguments in favor of prohibition. Ali the
misery to day in England, Canada and the
United States he said was due almost entirely
to the liquor traffic Maine is the only civilz-
ed state in the world. She alone dares to stand
before the world with the grand old prohibit
cutcheon. No abstract can do justice to the eIo-
quent speech of Mr.. Raper. His logic is ire
sistible and his sharp thrusts at the rum power
cannot but do much to advance the cause of
reform.
Mrs. Whittemyer of Philadelphia followed
Mr.. Raper in an earnest address. She denounc-
ed the rum traffic, favored total abstinence and
made an eloquent plea for the temperance re-
form.
Gen Neal Dow delivered the last address of
the day. He was received with great applause
and held his audience spell bound for an hour
with speech of wonderful power The father
of the Maine law outdd himself yesterday.
His crushing nvective and memorable logic
fell upon the large assemblage with irresistible
power, and reused the audience to fervor of
enthusiasm. The rumsellers he denounced as
men in deadly hostility to the laws of our state.
This Internal traffic, he said, must be stop
ped, the curse Of the Almightv God is upon it.
The people suffer more from this furthermore
than from all other crimes. 1t is indeed the
Gigantic crime of crimes.' AT the conclusion
of his address he offered the following resolu-
tions, which were unanimously adopted:
w HeTeUS. Lie people OF maine nave auJuQgeQ the
liquor traffic to be in deadly hostility to every
interest OF the State public social and private; it
wastes the of the State and the property
OF the people; it spreads poverty, pauperism and
crime throughout the community, and has other
tendency than to degrade, brutify and destroy all
who come under its influence; this dreadful trade
fourishes, every legitimate industry languishes and
dies it is fruitful and unailing source of mmorali-
ty disease, insanity and premature death.
Whereas, The liquor traffic has been declared to be
the gigantic crime of crimes; in comparison with any
other crime, it is undoubtedly the greater crime;
it inicts upon the State and upon society more and
greater mischefs and evils than come upon them
from any other crime from all other crimes COM
bined.
Where0s, In accordance with this view and in
response to the demand of the people of Maine this
horrible trade has been put under the ban of the
law, but with penalties insufficient to compel bad
to respect the will of the people, so that few
such mostly aliens to Country and lost to every
sentiment of love and fear of God and regard for
the welfare of society, continue with more or less
secrecy and caution to violate the law; therefore
ReS0tced As the deliberate and unanimous judy
ment of this meeting that the Legislature be called
upon at its next Session, to provide such further
stringent penalties of fine and imprisonment, with
processes summary will efectually and speedily
suppress this trade, and relieve the State entirely
from its malign influence
Next Monday is chlldren's day. To-day Mrs
Willard will deliver lecture entitled "The re-
lation of the rum traffic to foreign immigra.
tiop