Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-15
Grand Tempers nee Meetings..


Grand Tempersn Meetings..
A meeting was held Yesterday afternoon in
Reform Club Hall urder the auspices Of the Good
Templars. The exercises commenced with sing
ing. Mr.. Nye said that the officers of the Good
Templsrs thought it. would be q good thing to
make tour in some of towns in the State. He
then introduced l.. w. Starbrd, G. W. c.. who
presided at the meeting. Prayer was then offered
by Rev. MI. Sterling.
Mr.. Starbird said it gave him pleasure to he
present to- day. aud discuss the question Of 90
much Importance. But he was disappointed at so
few being present. Our object Is in saving souls
And there is no question save that concerning
Christ that has importance compared with it. II
there was a great war in the United States, would
there be so little interest manifested as here, to.
day. There is a greater danger threatening us
than any war, pestilence, or famine. Rum s q
greater evil than any of these. l an try ing to do
save my fallen brethren. 1t is fitting that we
should at all times work for the good Of humanity
Mr.. j. X. e,sgood of Gardiner, knew it to be q
fact that very little things sometimes discourage
temperance workers. In looking over the small
audience, one would suppose that temperance was
at very low tide in Augusta. But be hoped this
was not so. lie blessed the lsbors of the Good
Templars 10 Gardiner. There WAS no such word
in his dictionary rs encouragement 10 look ing
back from the dark pit from which he had been
saved he cou d find no pleasure there. Some
times he wished his life dated from 1871 There
perance question. He very often envied those
who had always been temperance men. If be
could only say that he had never drank he should
he happy. We should not be discouraged in Ia
boring for so good cause as temper ance. There
was no time 10 his life when temperance was so
dear to his heart as to-day. Look well after the
little ones. See that they do not err. and follow
in the wrong path.
An exceIient song entitled "The Bells" WAS
then sung by the Hughes brothers.
Mr.. Hslsey next spoke. Sometimes it is said
th at the temperance question has been discussed
sufficiently Some think it is we'll to lay
back and fold the hands. Aud still the fact re
mains that the greatest work is vet unaccom-
pished. The past is small compared with the fu-
ture that appears before US. Maine has
made a prohibiiory Law. But in States all over
the Union there Is no piohibitory law. Our
cause is IN = perlous condition our country is in
perilous condition, also. Crises we have
passed through, but the ieatest crises is yet be-
fore US Our organization OF Good Templars is
perhaps strong; but how few there who belong
compared with what ought to. How few there
are of US who have not felt the terrible power OF
liquor, Is this a National question; He be.
ieved it so. OF what value is a man who has
common sense taken away from him Temper
ance people will never rest I'LL every State from
Maine to California is prohibitory.
Rev. Mr. Sterling said he was glad to be pres
ent and say few words. He believed in having
enthusiasm IN any great cause. That is what has
placed the Methodist church where IL is to day
and he believed in having enthusiasm III temper
ance. His name was on several pledges, and he
should do all he could for the cause. He had u
wonde, full appetite for strong drink, and he felt
that if be should allow himself to use liquor he
should sometime become sot. He believed that
this cause needed the influence Of every man,
woman aud child in the city.
Mr.. Stsrbird said that we have some of the best
temper ance workmen in The State among our
noted men. The most influential in all circles
are Identified with us; and 1t Is most important
that Influential persons should be among We
are glad that our condition is good Is ii is. Yet
IN some places there u tendency for the tide
to tend in the wrong way. In some of the large
places iu this State the rum shops on the in
crease. We should put forth every effort in our
power to put down this evil.
Mr.. l. A. Hodgdon, q. W. V. T., was in
troduced. The cause of temperance | am deep
| ly Interested 10. bad rather see both of my
boys in the grave to day than addicted to the hab
| it Of taking strong drink. Our greatest hope in
this cause lies in the efforts of the temperance
workers. really think, my sisters, that this
cause appeals to all of you. Woman, from time
hol. Be earnest 10 the work, and vIgilant in
fighting the great monster.
| Ex-Gov. Perham said that he did not think this
State undo rstood tue gratitude owes to the tenn
persnce workers in it. Quite large number OF
our public men are temperance men; and he
hoped Maine would be foremost in the good work
Andrew j. Chase, G. w. &. T., was introduced
Experience has shown that we cannot leave the
| work OF temperance. 1t is necessary for u
organize, and constantly keep up our orsaniza'
- Al -.x..
question than that which merely concerns oui
| several localities. Caristian women are using
| their utmost endeavors everywhere to put down
| this evil. The people OF Augusta should be alive
| and foremost with this great work.
Mr.. Parker Of Portland came before the audi
ence with certain degree OF sadness, because 81
| few young people seemed 10 take any interest il
this work. l hope the people here at the capita
will become infused In this noble labor.
A song was sung with fine effect by the Hughe
brothers; and the meeting adjourned to meet q
half past seven al Granite Hall.
| The evening meeting was held at Granite Hall
there being a fair attendance. Mr.. Nye called te
| order, and prayer WAS offered by the Rev. {. +
| Penney.
Gov Conner was called to preside, and was re
ceived with appl use. Ms he proceeded to address
the meeting. He said we had been inv tied her,
to help for~ ard the temperance reform, to put in
to effect those forces that will stay and turn bacl
the tide of iutemperance. The agitation of thi
| question has been continued for many years, will
CRAFTY ing results. The majority of our citizen
| have bani.hed slcoht !, but he time has not We
come In the good work when halt is possible
We must push ii to a glorious contamination
Like the lands that the Hoanders have rescued
from the sea, while the barriers are watched an,
| no crevice allowed to widen to chssm. we ar
comparatively safe. Our enemy is ever on thu
alert, ever active. Beyond the borders of OH
State liquors are sold freely; within our border
mercenary men are found who will in spite Of III
law, indulge in the traffic. How elastic, how in
siduous is this enemy Any apathy Of the public
any relaxation of law, shows itself speedily in it
, expansion.
This agitation must remain among those force
that are worsing for the public welfare. This
also pstr lotto question, and We can only maintA
our republican form Of government by trsinip,
the people in the primary virtues of honesty
truth and temperance. We levy taxes and y
impose tariff; why are we not called npon I
suppress this mighty evil The many organize
tions are doing splendid work in the cause. an
the State gladly co-operates.
Ex.Gov. Perhsm said the history of intempersnc
has been one Of misery and only misery. 1t ha
blighted the brightest hopes Of the country, an
cured the greatest intellects. We can oil re