Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-24

to keep-above all pledges of all refo IN clubs
lie spoke Of the pledge Of his Brother Hacker OF.
Brunswick, that cut off the medicine question en-
tirely, and that IL the pledge he would recon-
mend. He denounced in the strongest terms the
practice of regular physicians IN prescribing hq-
uois for medicine, when the first medical author
ity OF Great Britain Lad given the opinion that
liquors are not indispensable, but there are substl
tules TO be used instead lie had been shocked
by the prescriptions Of certain physicians. But
above all things else, the grsndest pledge Of all
is that we give to the Lord Jesus, when We come
and give our hearts to him. That is the only
path to safety, and he earnestly and eloquenty
plead for those out of Christ to have interest
in the great salvation.
After report from the Business committee
adjourned to evening.
EVENING.
The hall was crowded at the evening meeting,
a large number OF distinguished geutle men being
present, including members of both branches of
the legislature. In the absence Of the Governor,
WHO was unable to he present, Mr.. W. G. Sargent
OF Sargeutville presided.
Rev. John AL en- recited portion OF SCI pture
from memory, and offered prayer.
II need thee every hour, was sang by a Sc
lcct choir.
Hon. Eli Jones, of China, was the fist speaker
of the evening. THIS was one of the occasions
that man wishes he had language to give utter
ance to his feelings. lie had been used IN Olden
time, when lac was stronger, to be present at tem-
perance conventions aud give his influence III be-
half of the cause. lie would be glad to convey to
his hearers the effect our temperance position had
on the whole of Great Britain. The enemies Of
temperance there are trying TO persuade
men that our Name law is failure.
The influence that has gone out from Maine is
telling upon the old country. Ii WAS our move
ment that set the British and Forei2n Temper
ance Alliance IN motion. We are doing work
here which is telling on the world. Names sue
cess Is dwet upon aad quoted everywhere. And
he hoped that our people aud our legislature will
not reirograde at all. If our law needs shsrpened
teeth, he hoped this convention will present the
FL for sharpening. He next called attention to
the position Of church members. One Of the d I'll
cultes in times past has been the indifference Of
church members AID Of pastors. The church
members in this country number some twelve mil
lion, with $1,000 pastors-an army large enough
to put an end in twelve months TO the terrible
traffic lie charged that they were not fully up
to the work. They could end the traffic 10 1880.
Nothing comes so near being an unmlXcd evil as
intoxicating liquor; and there is nothing like total
abstinence. lie trusted this convention would
arouse the ministers and cergymen 10 DO their
duty. Instead of few ministers aud one tr TWO
run down deacons at our temperance gatherings,
there would be mighty assembly. Tue society
of Friends now send into the field lecturers, aud
he recommended that other denominations do the
same and great work will be carried forward.
lie nayt spoke of woman's influence 10 the work.
The Quaker idea is being incorporated In our
sembles. There are cIoakeis who are Away ;
looking forward 10 other days. aud wishing that
times were different. But never was there greater
progress in the temperance cause ID Maine than
al the present time. lie paid q handsome tribute
to woman and her wonderful power and influence
When he saw the degraded condition Of women
at the East he would say to the intelligent and
privileged women OF Maine TO rise 10 their high
privileges. in travelling extensively In other coun-
tIe- he could say that it is no small honor to be
an American citizen.
Mrs. Emma Malloy of South Bend, Indiana,
who was connected with the great crusade move
ment in The West, was the next speaker.
She said she was glad to be in Maine, q State
from which she b sd gathered great inspiration at
her home in the west. Over II thousand miles
Indiana stretches out her hands in welcome and a
God-speed to Maine. 10 the crusade movement
in the west, the awakening in the Christian work
was the most hopeful sign Of all. They tried to
pray the saloons out Of existence. but it was hard
work. She related various and humorous incl
dents in regard to the obs;inacy of Dutch saloon
keepers, when they were pressed by the praying
women Several thrilling inc dents were also re-
lated. Temperance men bad to be fully con-
verted. Women got tired of praying, and set TO
work to enforce what little law they had on the
subject. A great many church members needed
converting over; and after them the efforts are di-
rected towards the iummes. Some christians
think that the Reform clubs wicked to hold
their meetings on Sunday evenings.
Coming back to the crusade movement, she relat-
ed ptful tales Of wrong and sorrow that had
brought the wome up to the grand work. She had
borne heavy burdens for ten long and weary
years, aud the old agony would come back often
and the dark picture again appear. She drew y
graphic picture of suffering aud death in her own
household on account of stroag dlink. 1t was
thrilling and sorrowful tale, and moved
the entire audience to tears. From tlss expert
ence she asked her hearers if it could be won
dered at that the women at the west had deter
mined TO knock at the doors of legislatures aud
fight the battles that the men were too cowardly
to fight. The women will never rest until Indi-
ana shall stand upon the same platform with
Maine in regard to the temperance cause.
Ii. NJ. Bryant Of Lewiston, next addressed the
meeting. lie had the privilege of standing on the
platform four years ago, when he had just sigued
the pledge of total abstinence. From that time to
the present he had been studying upon this ques-
ton of ium, aud he could say good thing OF it.
Reform has been the watchword and this of tenn
perance is at the very foundation OF true reform
lie had been lsboring in Vermont, and that State
was stirred TO Its very cente with this subject
lie was proud of the temperance position of Name
But the great trouble after all in the bulk OF The
community the people not fully aroused on this
subject. 1hey need awakening. and should aiise in
their might aud stamp ont this IL nomnoas traffic.
He MADE an eloquent appeal for total abstinence.
Gen. Nea! Dow took the stand and was receis ed
with applause. lie read an address to the people
of Maine, ielterating some OF the evils OF in
temperance, the history of legislation in Name
against il, and its results. The address also
speaks of the prevalence of the rum traffic in the
cities and larger towns, mostly carried on by our
foreign population, aud expresses the confident
opinion that the people of Name prepared for
the adoption of any measures of legislation, how
ever stringent or severe, which are necessary to
the thorough and final suppression of the evil.
The crowded state of our columns precudes
the publication of the address in iul The ad-
diess was adopted by rising vote.
Gen. Dow said that egislstng upon the sub
ject, we are doing not for ourselves alone, bnt
Tor all the world well. Wherever the English
language is spoken this question has really come
to the front and Is now the prominent question.
lie gave his experience in Englaud while defend
ing the course of Maine and the Maine law, aad
showed the people there that our prohibtory laws
helped to empty Jails and prisons, workshops and
houses of correction. We have everything our
own way here, because there are SO many of us.
We have won these great battles because we have
stood up shoulder to shoulder, and fought for the
right, and he urged a continuance of the good
work until the monster should be exterminated
from the land. Gen. Dow's remarks were leceiv-
ed with applause.
The committee on nominations reported the fol-
lowing committee on resolutions Eli Jones of
China, ID. b. Randall OF Sacarappa, Neal Dow of
Portland, IL. NJ BIZ ant of Lewiston, Mrs. q. w.
Qunby OF Augusta. Mrs. Edwin Clark of Bangor,
Mr.. L. NJ. y. Stevens OF Portland.
After singing, the meeting al about 10 O'Clock