National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-02-18
TEMPERANCE.


This organization held large and enthusiastic
meeting at Temperance Temple last evening, Cap
tain J. G. Wall In the chair Amer prayer by J. W.
Reynolds, and the singing Of the hymn, "what a
Friend we have In Jesus" Colonel IT, Davidson, Of
st. Paul, Mimi, was introduced. He said the sub
ect was one In which his whole heart interested
He alluded to the fact that he member Of the
reform club Of st. Paul, which numbered some six
or seven hundred men. IH object was similar to the
Washington Reform Club-to aid those who de-
sired 70 aid themselves. 10 his city, OF tho many
couldtight them In positions now oftrust and honor
their fami lies were now happy. To those who had
recently signed the pledge, he said =" stand Arm
high places. he firm, and true friends would come
TO them.
lie compared the life Of the drunkard with that
OF the temperate man, and asked the question,
| Where Is the man who would be slow to decide
high tribute to the laboring classes, and appealed
to them to sign the pledge and make the Reform
club q terror to those who dealt IN strong drink.
The beautiful hymn Pull for the Shore, was
then sung. aler which Judge Smell was introduced.
lie said he much preferred meeting this large
audience here than at his usual receptions; that
the hope OF the country depended upon the sober
young men. lie had not himself been addicted to
| the use Of strong drink
lie was not here tonight as a temperance lee
turcr but he proposed to do now as he always had
his whole duty as temperance man. III his State
no man could sell liquor with license, as they did
not grant them, and II he attempted IN sell without
he was fined 800 or sent to Jail lie was here to-
night as representative Of that profession whose
duty II Is to sec the law enforced. lie should Sec
so long Us he was Judge Of the Police Court that
| those who violated the license law and came be-
| fore him received warm reception. During the
eight year, he had been judge OF the Police Court
he had tried GOOD cases, large majority OF which
came directly or indirectly from the use OF liquor
| No man had tho right TO do that which would In
| jnro himself his family, or his neighbor; and this
| he thought the drinking man did. lie had en-
dcarorcd to try all prisoners who came before him
| with malice toward none and charity for all"
lie had never punished any man with q feeling
! OF pleasure. He alluded 10 the poor women who
| had been TO him for warrant. for husbands who
had beaten them while under the influence Of
and IN q few days the wife would come and beg
| them out. lie spoke Of n mother who called upon
| him few days ago In behalf Of her soma bright
| looking young man-who while under the influence
of strong drink had attempted TO take the life Of
another. lie also made mention Of a boy who was
| brought before him few days ago drunk upon
whisky sent for by his mother. lie then mentioned
| tho case Of Judge Nelson, who was related TO a
gftcd member of the supreme Court Of the United
states, and who himself had filled high positions
! under the Government. lie had seen this man
| fighting his hat in the CUTTERS OF our streets.
! From intempcrance he had gotten SO low that he
would go into lawyers offices and steal the books
and pawn them for liquor lie ut last went into pri-
vRtc houses and stole clothing (which onenSe he
was now IN the Albany pCnitcntiary. lie made n
beautiful appeal In closing, to all who had not
signed the pledge 10 do 50 and give the world the
benefit of sober life. Short addresses were made
by Colonel Gray, of Kentucky: William Ncrmilya,
OF New Jersey; Mr. Jester. Of baltimore: George W.
Francis, and Others. Colonel Davidson rcccd, by
| request, poem entitled The Flowing Bowl" 4
] lau,e number signed the pledge