Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-24
State TEMpEaaNoE CONVENTION
The Temperance Men and Women OF ths
state fa Council. A Large Gatherip e.
RsP0rt Of Procesdings.


The annual State Convention of the temperance
men Of Maine, met at Granite Hall, yesterday sf
ternoon, at 2 IL O'Clock. The hall was very well
filled at the time of meeting, different parts Of the
State being represented.
The call was read by Hon. Joshua Nye, who
bid the convention welcome, at time when the
temperance cause had made such wonderful pro-
gres, 1t is An suspicious time-religious denom-
nations and both political parties are seemingly
interested in the matter. The vote at the State
House, the other day, was suggestive, in regard
to calling upon Congress to suppress the evil. He
. gave great credit to the Reform clubs and to the
Ladies Christian Union. He trusted we would
have firm reliance upon the power of God In this
matter.
Eli Jones of China, was called to the chair, as
temporary Chairman.
Mr.. Jones, on taking the chsir said he took
pleasure in standing again before temporal ce
convention in his own State. lie had been proud
of his State while travelling 10 foreign lands. No
act had placed Name so far in the ascendency
the prohbitory law No one point has been dis
cussed so much in England, rs to whether we
sustaining the law. 1t was his privilege to aiii m
this in Manchester England.
Fervent prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.
Adams, pastor Of the Methodist church, in this
city.
T. Pope vosc Of Rockland, and Miss Abbie X.
On motion OF Mr.. Nye, a committee Of five
raised TO nominate officers for permanent organic
alton. The committee consists of Joshua Nye OF
Augusta, Mrs. Sargent of Ssrgentyille, L. II.
Drummond of Wa,ervle, Mrs. Haskell of Argus
Ia, and Jordan Rand of Lisbon.
Campmeeting John Allen was called upon TO
make music, instead OF employing brass band.
lie felt at lone at a campmeeIin1 and most every
where else. Fifty years ago he couldn't stand so
erect rs he can now il plagued him, and bid fair
tJDgcOupe m
bright ones are held down by rum; perhaps he
might say that from experience. When he was
IA old Wing he cut the binders Of party of and
became aboltionist, and raised Ills voice Tor
freedom. Thus had it been 18th him in the tenn
psrance cause. He belonged to most all the
temperance organizations. After all, 1t is sim
mered down to lhi.-sign the pledge and keep Il.
/. Is prominently permanent work. Discarded
This makes a man bold, and We can stand up for
the right. lie would say Amen" regular
hethodistical amen" to all these efforts. lie
was glad that Congress had taken up the matter !;
1t Is good indication. We are going TO send men
TO Congress who are right on this question.
John was extremely happy and vas frequently
applauded
Hon. John S. kimbal of Bangor, was the next
speaker. lie had always made 1t point never 10
take backward step 10 this cause. lie certainly
felt young in the work; and hoped the time would
come when we could sing jubilee over the death
Of King Alcohol. Some OF the people in Bangor
worried for fear that the temperance move =
ment will ruin The business of that section. Two
hotels had already gone into bankruptcy. He hoped
that all that kind of business would fail; it would
be better for the community. We have Sheriff
LhAt took the oath of Office and he does his duty.
Then there is the old order of the Sons of lem
plars Good Ten plars, Crusades, Womens L nion,
Reform Club, ana the Penobscot Legion. SO we
are in good situation to make aggressive work,
and We feel like rejoicing. great gain has bee
made IN the advance OF public sentiment on this
subject, and the blessed results that follow, OF
which is the Temperance Publication Society. lie
trusted the society wonld receive warm support
from the temperance men and women Of the
country.
Rev Mr.. Munson Of Skowhegan, was called for
and said that he thought what we wanted was
short speeches, and many of them. Although he
had resided in many States, he never had me,
with 80 many sober men as in Maine. He believed
that Maine had the best legislature in the United
States, and that our citizens were the best in the
Union. lie would impress upon his hearers the
thought that the wsrld had its eyes upon US, and
urged all TO hold the standard high.
The committee on permanent organization made
report and the following officers were elected
PRRsIDENT-Gov. Selden Connor
VICE PREsIDENTs.-Androscog Jordan
Rand Aroostook. l.. X. King; Cumberland, Neal
Dow; Franklin, John Allen; Hancock, Mrs. W.
II. Sargent kepnebec, Mrs. 5. 5. Brooks; Knox,
Mrs Wm. Stetson Lincoln, f. w. Stetson; Ok
foid, Mrs. Sidney Pelham Penobsco,, Mrs c. F.
Allen; Pi,cstsauis, Mrs. A. j. w. Stevens; Saga
daboc, Henry Ialman; Somerset, Mrs. James
=. Blunt; Waldo, Mrs. j. G.. Dickerson; Wash
ington, w. j. Coithell; York, w. +. Moody.
sEcRETARIEs-Z Pose Vose of Rccklaud, Alb
bic X. Marden Of Palermo.
Rev. MIR. Randall. a veteran in the temperance
cause, made his appearance in the hall, havlng
just come from q sick chamber, and was warmly
greeted by the chairman aud his associates.
Messrs. Nye of Augusta, kimball of Bangor,
and Jacob of China, were appointed committee to
wait on the Governor, and inform him of his cleo
tlon as President of the convention.
Jordan Rand of Lisbon, was called, and said
that be had signed the pledge and had kept ii.
He was = thoroughly reformed man, and had
proved the efficacy OF the pledge. If he had mon
ey and time and talents he would like to go here
and there and labor in this glorious cause that
was so dear 10 his heart As IT was, he now had
considerable time to devote to the work of rescu-
inx his fello creatures from the power of rum.
He gave an account OF what is being done in Lis
bon; the traffic had been almost cleaned out
there. When the Reform Club started, there
were doubters who inquired, "How long will
these men hold out 7" expecting they would fall
But they had held out most gloriously. They
have had strength sufficient to their day, grace
for the moment, and that is all the grace We need
These boys went out after others, until now tie
club numbers 200. Christian people came in and
lent their co operation. He told of the mission
cry efforts of the club going out into other places,
that were attended with most gratifying results.
Some club rooms were made regular gambling
hells and he didn't blame christian people if they
never went near such. Ia that case he would
rather have the prayers of an old Christian
lady. When he went out into the street,
he went out, rot as the Reform Club, but
~ Jordan Rand; and when he found a
man selling liquor to destroy the young men, he
would 10 at him hammer and tongs and make
him stop that kind of work. Some that have
been rum.eL ers have become members Of the
club. He closed by relating an incident where
he captured q cargo of rum, after midnight on
its way to Lewiston.
Mrs. Gerald plead for the children. She
thought the very fact that we have to continue
this war against rum. shows that there has been
something wrong In the management of this
question. The work Of saving drunkards goes
on, and the children too much neglec ed
Special efforts should be made in the direction Of
saving the young, as habits formed in youth are
lasting.
Mr. Howe, of Norway, said that temperance to
him was atty he had been down among the
sorrows. woes and griefs of intemperance. He
now tharked God that be had been rescued from
the fearful vortex. He remembered his happy
home that had been destroyed by rum, and the
picture WAS fearful to him. Intemperance is the
greatest evil we have to contend with. He was
sorry to make the confession that he had been a
drunkard. But through the power of God he had
He. - hrr tall