The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-08-15
RED-RIBBON STATE CONVENTION.
From the Lansing Republican Report.


this city on Wednesday. Delegates from v,
rious parts OF the state began to arrive at q
early hour, and before 10 O'Clock the little sea-
let emblem was as frequently seen on OF
streets as N its palmest days.
J AT III 80 a. M, an excursion train OF eigl
coaches arrived from Three Rivers, and sur
rounding towns, via the NJ. c. railroad, bring
Ing about 400 men, women and children. Form
ing at the depot, in double file, headed by til
Three Rivers cornet band, composed OF /
pieces, and with the celebrated midgets, Com
modoie Foots and his sister, who were vsitip
IN that portion OF the state, the processcl
marched up 10 the west end OF Michigan ave
nue., where they were met by the knights
Templar band OF this city, and escorted to thu
Old capitol. The various delegates then as
sembled at the opera house, where the conven
ton was organized and an adjournment hat
for diuner.
The convention was called to order by r. E
Frazer OF Ann Arbor, who stated that its OBJ
jects were sufficiently well-known without ex
PLANTATION. Mr.. Frazer was elected temporary
chairman, and j. NJ. Gilbert OF Chelsea tenn
porary SO, rotary. The committee on perma-
nent organization proposed the following Of
fcers for the convention, who were elected by
accamation
President Robert E. Frazer, Ann Arbor.
Vice Presidents-One for each Congressional
district.
Recording Secretary-Geo. j. McCandless,
Jackson.
Corresponding Secretary-E. b. Deviney.
Lansing
The Iirst topic as reported by the committee,
" The reform clubs and the churches how can
they best cooperate for the promotion of tenn
perance reform ," was opened by Joseph Par
ker of Lansing, who took negative ground IN
regard to unity Of the clubs and the churches
He was followed by Robert Neil Of Battle
Greek, who SAID that there had been difficulty
between the clubs and the churches in his CITY.
The latter had withdrawn their support and the
club was bankrupt. The burden OF support was
thrown upon reformed men. He did not be-
lleve they could work without the aid OF the
churches of all denominations.
Mr.. Shiers OF Saline had formerly thought.
as reformed men, the best thing for the clubs
was to have their meetings on Sunday. But
this ini erfered with church services, and thus
Ill had small audiences. He thought it best to |
and have the meetings Saturday
evenings, or divide the time with the churches
I they could
Mr.. Cameron OF Atlas said It seemed to him |
hat we could not separate the church from the
HUB He had noticed an antagonism between
he churches and the clubs, but it was more on
he surface than from the heart He thought
hat those who had never been there could not
ympathze fully with the reformed men: and.
n the other hand, the reformed man could not
co the church-member rs he was He stood
here, not only minister but reformed drunk
rd, and he knew that reformed drunkards at
lbuted to church members much that they {
ever possessed. We must cease fighting glass
ouses asd turn our attention to the common
nemy OF US all.
The discussion was continued by Messrs. o. ,
arris OF Battle Greek, o. o. Willis of Addison, =.
nd Rev. &. L. Thomas OF Jonesvlle. The lat !,
r did not think it was impossible for a man to :
form who did not give himself to Christ. 1t /,
as the business of the clergy and Christiane, !,
hen they went into the reform club meeting.
throw OF sectarianism, roll up their sleeves ;,
Id take hold actively. On the other hand, re- :,
rmed men should not assume that this is n
rely their movement. Christians had an in >
-, ~ 40 Christians ou'as ienow men. i,
. udge Mitchell OF Port Huron arose and gave ;,
account OF the measures adopted in his club :,
llch have made 1t success. They worked :.
the broad platform Of temperance, without :.
ference to sectarian bias. They showed ear :,
stness ID the work. He offered resolution :
the sense of the convention, that while the ..
'orm clubs OF Michigan invite and expect the y
operation and influence OF all churches. they y,
distinct in many Of their purposes from us. =,
we from them The club should be kept .,
n-sectaI1an IN all respects; neither church =
CLUB should rest upon the other; but each
sht be composed Of members of the other -
jail working together for the one common
pose. recognizing God above and in all. -
vas moved that the resolution be referred 81,
the committee on resolutions, which motion =,
vailed, the chairman saying that the DIS -,
sion mad opened his eyes as to the relative
It's OF church members and reformed men.
hoped the ministers would go home and LII IL.
their congregations, and the reformed men ", w
I own brothers, upon this subject. OF.
ne next topic, "Sball there be am restric- W. WI
IS as to questions to be discussed at tho
Tic meetings, or full latitude given TO tina il
lker, confined only TO the subject OF tenn OF
lnce ," was opened by remarks from tbe pc
Ioent, who advocated perfect freedom in
e discussions. Let man discuss from anv pla
dpoint, SO it be temperance. He was fol- par
ID by Judge Mitchell, who offered the fol-
ng " Resolved, that we recommend that WI
free discussion Of all questions legitlmatelv sne
ting to the promotion OF temperance Toe for
Gifted at the general public meetings OF the +
rm clubs Referred to the committee on pla
lutions. the
sen
the evening session the third topic. "Wbat r
best course to reform men, and how shan par
treat pledge-breaEers The chairman or
ented the plans OF various clubs. and the on
lods adopted to prevent o relapse. Re- r
led men generally think it is Disgrace 10 and
the pledge, and that the vioIator ought , NIX
treated as one who had disgraced an or peo
'atlon intended to assist him. The Ann men
r club did not % affar tbosa 49,. self