The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-08-24
GoBLE AND ALAMO BRASS BANDS, AND WAvERLY
AND ALAMO GLEE CLUBS DISCOURSE
SWEET MUSIC.
ADDRESSES BY Rev. Gro. DONALDSON, c. e..
TOWNSEND. REV. B. ID. PREscoTr AND
II. p. MAcFARIIN.
From Our Own Reporter.

inBuale, zinc GrOVe ana WaNefly :. D. h5oocia-
ton, WAS made the occasion for general pic
mic Of Sabbath Schools and gala-day for farm
ers and citizens connected with the work IN this
section. 1t came off ut Pine Grove, August
16, and was the largest gathering OF people
ever held in northeast Van Buren,. The day
was propitious, warm early morning sun hav-
ing exhaled the rain Of the previous day, and
earth and sky We'd with happy hearts to render
the occasion pleasurable. When your reporter
arrived, "the pale air was streaked with" ban
ners Of various hue. notices appropriate to
the occasion, and about the neat little depot
fully one thousand - early birds" had congre-
gated, listening to enlivening strains Of music
from the Goble Brass Band, and welcoming
new delegations as they arrived. Goble had
turned out "her beauty and chivalry" until her
streets were almost deserted from that beau
tiful rival on the st-Bloomingdale, had
come the largest single delegation OF the day !;
Almena and Waverly Union were there, full Of
enthusiasm for the Masters cause and far
away Glendale with gay banners, and large
turn. out, added much to the lovely and joyous
scene presented. On the western bound tram
came the Alamo Brass Band, and host known
as the Alamo Union Sabbath School, and short
ly after Kendall put in her appearance. From
this time until twelve o'clock team after team
arrived. until there had gathered in Pine Grove
over 400 vehicles of various lnds-but mostly
lumber wagons-and some $500 men, women
and children.
Capt. H. Niles was IN his element that day
ba ~ al md
well. The procession was organized at 1913
o'clock, and in his charge, and assistants from
the various schools, marched to the beautiful
grove west OF the village. Rev. Il. s. Dean,
President OF the Association called the meet
ing to order and after music by Alamo Brass
Band, and Glee Club, prayer was offered by
Rev. Mr.. Daniels. President read letter from
Rev. +. W. Bush, Of Alamo. who was adver-
tised to address the meeting, regretting his in
ability to be present, and introduced Rev. Geo.
Donaldson. Bear Lake Mills, who, in twenty
minutes impromptu speech. fully sustained
his reputation OF being one OF the readiest and
most eloquent takers in this section. His re-
marks we're general, had mental pabulum for
both old and young, and we're listened to at
tentivey throughout. Then came adjourn
ment for dinner and social intercourse for the
adults, and dinner and fun for the little folks.
Swinging round the circle" after feast OF
good things, your reporter was proud OF the
distinction OF living in Van Buren, county. 1t
has been his fortune to meet many similar
gatherings IN older and Weather common
wealths, but he has never met better dressed,
better behaved and more intelligent gathering
OF old, middle-aged, young and little folks,
than thronged Pine Grove on this OCCASION
The hour hand pointed to nearly two O'Clock
when the President called the vast throng from
" refreshment to labor" 1t was the annual
meeting and officers for the ensuing year were
to be elected. The following are the happy
men President, Rev. 3. ID. Prescott Goble
Vice Presidents, Mr.. Erkenbeck, Almena, M.
Lane, Bloomingdale, o. s. Brown. Pine Grove,
and G. W. Bush, waverly; Secretary, Geo.
W. Myers, Goble. Rev. r. s. Dean, DR.. A. Z.
Bulson and E. NJ. Eaton, Com. on Programmes
for ensuing year. The balance OF the afternoon
session was given up to speech-making. The
The. President introduced one of the advertised
speakers-C. G.. Townsend, OF Bloomingdale.
The gentlemans theme was temperance and
as it is Of widespread importance, my notes are
copious. The gentleman had no prejudices to
crafty, he came there In response to invitation
IN the hope that temperance talk would do
some good He had felt the terrible conse-
quences Of liquor-drlnking, and was prepared
to speak from bitter experience. II had come
to be ascertalned that sober men made better
citizens, better husbands, better sweethearts
and the temperance war which is now being
waged is but an outburst Of the great heart Of
the people in favor OF the rights OF sober men,
as well as the unfortunate victim OF appetite.
There are many phases Of the question he
would like to discuss but time would not per-
NIT. The first thought is the glaring inequality
Of the temperance public before the law. The
strange an omaly is presented OF great people,
eminent for virtue and intelligence, lesisating
in favor Of the baser elements Of citizenship.
A crime against God and humanity is clothed
with the dignity Of legal protection, and from
this vantage ground an interest engaged in
making drunkards, in increasing the burdens
Of taxation, in bhghtIng hearts aud homes, can
bid defiance to anv adequate punishment. We
have the anomaly OF q law that legalizes a
criminal-making business, and in the same act
fixes the penalty the criminal thus made must
expiate No where on our statute-book is there
justice or mercy for the poor, broken hearted
slave OF appetite. Men may tempt him, he
may be ruined in health and reputation, but
there is no remedy in the law for his woes. II
he lies to assusge q THIRST the legalized tempter
has created, the law regards him as perjured
scoundrel and visits punishment upon him.
Again, the law nowhere provides equality with
the liquor-seller for class that feel directly
the crushing power OF the traffic. Woman
stands guard at the threshold of our homes
with no power but moral suaslon over the great
destroyer Of her peace. The despoiler Of the
holy fabric which she rears is entrencbed behind
the law, IS a law-maker, and her voice 10 dumb.
Husband, father, brother, son, may go down to
drunkard's graves, and there is nothing but
pecuniary remedy in the law for her. great
state discriminates between citizens, jeopardIz-
es the great interests Of society by class legis-
lation, and puts monied value on the desola-
ton, death and riot its statute books encour-
ages and fosters. And Michigan is not excep-
A. A IL.