The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-15
BLUE RIBBON,
THE MOVEMENT INAUGURATED
INsRoCK ISLAND.
The workers and how They Work I,


The temperance wave, the Murphy
movement, the blue ribbon mania has
struck. Almost without warning it has
rolled right up to our saloon doors. While
the proprietors of the same were strug-
Cling to pay expenses, this new calamity
has come upon them; and, if the two very
good Fyoung men from the state of Ohio,
who were spared from holding Office for
this good work, are to be believed, it has
come to remain. Old bummers. con-
frmed drunkards, moderate drinkers,
you who dodge in alone to drink when no
one is looking, you who keep it slowed
away in your cellars, will please remember
that this movement and these young men
have come to stay, for such is the state
ment they made last night, and all of you
are the fellows they are after. Weinfer
from their remarks that no more in
tellectual, high-toned.or nobler young men
ever saw the light of day in the Buckeye
state than the manipulators of this move
ment; none were surrounded by so much
elegance, refinement and wealth, none CO.
cupied more exalted or lucrative positions.
none had brighter prospects of honor and
distinction-all of which was the warp
the wool and tho fabric of their remarks
last evening, to be continued for 80 days.
The manner of conducting these mee-
| tings is much in the style of revival.
There is an organized choir, which. with
clergymen and the two young men from
Ohio, occupy the stage There are the
usual religious. opening closing and singing
and speeches from the young men consis
ting of their personal experiences in all thu
various calhngs of life. One of them as
sares the audience that he has been law
yer, merchant, a hoteIkeeper, liYerysta
blekeeper and an editor, all of which b,
would still have continued to be but 20
drink, The other said be had been law
yer, but more especially clerk in the pos
tai department at Washington, but now ap
peared as traducer of congressman whom
he said were as cheap as hogs in this Yves
tern market.
| Interspersed with the history Of tn
young men from Ohio and the singing ar
the opportunities for the audience to 60 u
to the stage where little card containin
the pledge with blue ribbon pinned to
is given them. The recipient is expecte
to sign the card and tie the ribbon in hi
J button hole, or to some convenient spot 0
; the person. The number of cards distribute
marks the number of converts. Of eours
| it is expected those who take these caro-
will not pocket them without fir
signing, in order that the count may
S correct, Ii the audience are a lit
: backward 10 going up after the cards, OF
of the young men from Ohio clapps h
$ hands and 'hollers' for them to come rig
along" The business arrangements
t the meetings are left to committee
citizens who are interested in the goi
work.
AS this is the first appearance of 4
p movement in this city, we have given
l. more minute and accurate account Of hi
it is done than perhaps the subject wa
re rants; but as all good citizens are intere
ed in the cause Of temperance, it is to
hoped the large attendance of last event
'' will be continued while the young N
p from Ohio tarry in our city.