The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-05-02
: Blue Ribbon Temperance Movemen
RrisIEIy Started.
Enthusiasm Aroused in IL Large Audience,
and Thousand signatures to the
Pledge Obtained The First Address
in this City.


in this City.
From d.. Ner Y9yE SIN.
Francis Murphy, the temperance
rcvivalist and originator Of what is
known as "thc blue ribbon movement,
made his first speech in New York in
the large hall Of the Cooper Union
yesterday. Every seat was filled, and
men and women were standing in the
aisles. The platform was occupied by
the officers and members Of the Amer
lean Temperance Union, and the init
mate friends Of Mr. Murphy. The
Rev. Drs. Hall, Tying, Jr., Corey, and
many other clergymen were present.
The energetic rctOrmer was there long
before the opening Of the meeting,
shaking hands and receiving the con-
gratulations Of his friends. He is a
little below the medium height, thick
set, fitty-two years OF age, does not
look SO old, and is light of step and
active in his movements. He has
dark eyes underneath projecting brows,
iron-gray hair and mustache, an aqui-
line nose, and a small, wcll-shaped
mouth. lie has n genial expression
Of face, and there Is a merry twinkle
in his eyes. He wore white cravat
and a Black suit. Protruding from a
huttonhole of his vest was a blue rib
bon, and ON his coat collar was a large
gold badge.
President Mundy opened the meet
ing with the announcement that the
society proposed TO throw away the
club OF the law, and endeavor TO per
suadC men TO become better. Tic in
troduccd Mr.. Murphy, who stepped to
the front Of the platform, and, extend
ing his arms, said: 81 thank God
for what | see, and for what | feel.
He was received with applause. In
stead Of going on with speech, he be-
gan shaking hands with people on the
platform, and smiling at others in the
audience, Pointing to one man in the
front row Of seats, he said ooh, Co
/ lionel, how are yc? Come up here, Co
/ lionel This is the editor of the Com
mcrcial Gazette, of Pittsburg.
I Mr. Murphy at length began his ad-
dress in hcsitating, disjointed man,
ncr His voice was hoarse, but after
: 4 few minutes it improved, and gradu,
ally it become strong, rich, and clear.
/ He has a habit of dropping into the
Irish brogue, and saving "beyant
raison," and the like. He gave a
sketch Of his early life of poverty and
hard work. The besetting sin Of tn,
American youth, he said, was their
fear Of honest labor He advised the
Young men present to work, live with
in their means, and even subsist on
sawdust if 1t was necessary, in order
to walk the streets untrammelled
Mr.. Murphy's descriptive powers are
remarkable, and the picture that be
made Of the starting Of the vessel that
brought him to this country WIS re-
warded with enthusiastic applause
An account Of bis childhood's troubles
brought out out his dramatic abilities
and power OF mimicry. When hi,
mother had company to dinner he wa;
always put out in the kitchen. In
this connection he gave the advice
Don't, ] beg, invite friends to yon
house at the expense Of your children.
If YOU have not chairs enough whcr
company comes, 70 out in the kitchen
yourself, and give the little ones &
chance" He made Il touching appca
to his hearers to keep liquor away
from children. Sobs were heard in
the hall, and there was a genera
application Of handkerchiefs He was
sorry, he said, that the people whC
protested religion were not more like
the liquor dealers in some respects.
He gave a representation of the re,
ccption of a young man in 4 saloon
Halo, George, how are We, old boy
( Come in. WhatIl We have? Sit down.
This Young man enters a church, and
how II he received? Mr. Murphy
curlcd his lip, and pointed with his
thumb over his shoulder to an imagi-
nary seat. Religion was too much Il
matter of dress and kid gloves. Peo-
pie sat in their pews and did nothing
to help the minister. ',Why," said he,
many of YOU have been saIted
down by God the last twenty wears.
and you need not worry about YOUR
selves. Try 10 do some good to some
body else. He continued n descrip-
ton of his career until he became a
drunkard, and was confined in the
county jail of Portland. Then his
eyes filled with tears, and he spoke
with seeming difficulty. FIc had
frequent recourse to his handkerchief.
and when he begen the description OF
his wife's death the tears rolled down
his checks. He did not recover caua-
nimity until near the end Of his ad-
dress. Men and women upon the
platform and in the entire audience
were affected.
1t was expected that Mr.. Murphy
would make some extraordinary rho
torical effort ut the close, and nobody
was disappointed. He pictured a
upas trees, with its heavy branches
extending above his head poisoning
tie air, ana the dead and the DYING