The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-08
NATIONAL TEMPERANCE CAMP
MEETING.
Opeain. Day.

er during greater part of the day was delight
full. In the afternoon, however, a tornado
came sweeping over the encampment causing
slight thinning out OF the congregation for
few minutes. The effects of the gale were seen
quite clearly upon the so.caled tabernacle,
| which lies in ruins, and there seems to be de-
sire that it should remain in this condition. 1t
is estimated that there we're 5000 people in at
tendance yesterday. and the exercises were of
deep interest. If the opening day portends in
any way the result Of the meeting, this gather
ing of temperance workers promises to be the
largest and most successful ever held in the
state. Ex-Gov Sidney Perham is present and
presides in his usual able and satisfactory man
ner.
The people assembled at the stand at ten
o'clock for the devotional exercises, conducted
by Rev. A S. Ladd, who read from the word of
God several passages relative to the various
phases of the temperance work.
Prayer was offered by Raw. Mr.. Kite, follow
ed by singing "What friend we have in
Jesus" Interesting fraternal addresses were
made by Rev. A. S. Ladd, O. B. Chadbourne,
Rev. Mr. Cummings, E. o. Foss, Rev. Mr..
Kite and Rev. D. w. LeLacheur.
There was Resembling Of the people at
o'clock to hear the address of welcome by
Gov. Conner. Prayer was offered by Rev. d.
B. Randall, succeeded by singing Precious
promise"
Ex-Governor Perham then congratulated
the people upon the progress of the temperance
cause the past year in our state, and after re-
ferring to the influence of the public men of
our state in the temperance cause, paid high
compliment to the present Governor for his nc
BILE sentiments upon the temperance question.
Governor Conner was then introduced, who
gave an excellent address of welcome, as fol-
lows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Ge1hemen:-At
the invitation OF the com mittee OF the associa-
ton under whose auspices you are assembled.
have undertaken to address word of greeting
to you at this opening of the annual series of
meetings which has become an established in
stitution. l shall bs glad indeed if by my
presence, or any words OF mine, can contrib
ute in any degree to the success of this assem-
blage and the consequent advancement OF the
purpose to which it is devoted. Two years ago
had the honor to stand upon this platform
with many worthy representatives OF the great
reform movement of our day, from other states
aud countries as well as from our own state,
and earnest thousands thr0nged these fofesl
aisles to show their interest 10 that reform and
| to renew strength and hope for continued striv-
lug G0WdTUb IF6elUS bu6 WUIlN tIUm Ouo "a NO
most desolating scourges. do not doubt that
| the influences here generated then and since,
| have spread far and wide, and tended to hasten
| the coming of that day when by the common
| consent of mankind alcohol and all its baneful
| progeny shall be regarded as the foes to hui
| manity, they are and shall receive the treat
| msnt due to false friends treacherous guests,
enemies which have entered the citadels OF do
| mestc happiness and social order in peaceful
| guise to overthrow aud ruin them The pres
| an ci0D shOnld ha less frDlLfQI ut good
| results than lis predecessors have been,
You have abundant reason to be of good
| cheer ard to move forward resootely and Coz
| tidently. Your cause is jast and noble, new
| and powerful allies are constantly Hocking to
| its standard, and the triumphs of the past have
| opsued the way for victories to come. This
| leafy temple itself breathes encouragement and
hopefol Inspiration Nature has not only given
| the earth to BE- the bountful mother of US all,
| yielding sustenance for our bodies, bat by her
| myriad forms aud agencies endows earth, air
| and water with suitable and powerful lntla-
| ences upon the spirit of man. The human soul
| has no mood which cinnot ind counterpart
in some aspect or voice OF nature; no aspiration
| which the mplati0n of her glories does not
strengthen and uplft. The annual on flow
| from our towns and cities to the mountains and
| the sea, woods, lakes and fields, arises from the
| need men have of contact with nature, not only
| to recuperate tired frames and weary brains.
| but to refresh heart and mind and to feel that
quickeDiug of thoughts and impulses which
| springs from communion with the beauty, har-
mony aud majesty of the works which the God
| of Nature and of man has wrought for His
children. Here 10 the pure, free air, under the
broad span of the heavens, canopied by these
| whispering pines which break the sunbeams
into shifting intricacies of light and shade, Wis
tied by breezes that have swept the illimitabe
ocean and gathered its health-gvng flavor,
| Nature lavishes around US her manifold revels-
| tions of power, bene6cence, purity, harmony
| and sweetness, and awakens in the thoughtful
mind suggestions of molding human life and
| action to corresponding excellencies.
| And this is the ultimate purpose you have in
| view; to make them better, to ensure to them
the full use of all the faculties and icapacities
| with which they have been endowed, and of all
| the opportunities that come into their lives,
| and by conse quence, to multiply happy homes,
| to secure to Infancy and childhood that stmos,
| phere of love, and that tender Care which are
their birthright, to protect Innocence and help
lessness from brutality, to further the stability
| and prosperity of the commonwealth and foster
| the progressive spirit CT civilization. Surely
the honest zeal and efforts that are displayed in
| seeking for such ends as these must attract the
respect and admiration of ali good men, even of
those, if any such there be, who regard that
| zeal as employed in hopeless cause, and these
| efforts idle and unavaiing.
The wisdom which shakes its head at the
| temperance reformation as vain and imprac-
| ticabe theory, is shOrt-3ighted if not malevO-
lent. 1t perceves only the Immediate obstacles
count all the various elements OF power which
are and will be arrayed ON the side of that
reformation 1t is generally considered that
the use of Intoxicating liquor is unnecessary.
| The argument that 1t is beneficial or cOntri-
butes to wholesome pleasure and well-being, is
| CO nmonly accompanied by SO many ifs, pro-
visos and conditions as to be practically its own
realization. Ga the other hand the positive
evils that issue directly from it ara SO gross,
numerous aud apparent that they cannot be
denied. A cloud of accusers come forward
with their charges against this fell enemy of
man until the indictments become appalling in
character and extent.
Philanthropsts change it with wrecked lives
that else had been glorious. full of honor and
service; with broken hearts, desolate homes,
suffering dependents and thousand forms of
degradation and misery.
Medical science airaigns it for t1e destruction
it works to health OF mind and body, for the
inSidiOus ravages it commits upon its upsus-
pecting victims, for befriendiDg disease and
battling the healing art, aud for the fatal pro-
pensty it entails upon the descendants of those
who in exercising personal liberty rob their
children of it. Social science holds it respon-
sible for increasing the burdens of the commun-
| ity with the Care of its victims in prisons, door,
houses, hospitals and asylams, and for obstruct-
ing industrial development by diminishing both
productive and consuming capacity. The pat
riot and statesman lament that it undermines
the strength of his country and sules the ma
tiOnal honor. Religion deplores its beuumbing
effects upon the soul, stiling in its devotees the
voice OF duty and deadening their ssase Of re-
sponsibility to God and to their felow-men.
When all these forces which now recognize
alcohol as common adversary sh all be fully
aroused to the extent of its dspredatiOns they
, will band together and exterminate il as herds
men hunt down the providing wolf.
, A consideration which specially character
ICES this refor nation is the exact perception i
has OF the the abuse it proposes to correct-iI
, other words, the clearness and simplicity OF tb'
object. Unlike some other attempted reforms
it knows where to strike, what to do, to secare
, the desired results. For instance, labor re
| form is moved Dy the feeling that in some way
, labor is delrauded of it's Just dues, but in wha
way and by whom defrauded, ard whats SHOULD