The Portland daily press., 1879-08-15


/ he favors it privately, but is not inclined to
declare in its favor before the public.
: Rev. Mr.. BabcoCk of Philadelphia then en-
/ dorsed what the Governor had said in regard
/ to patent medicines and condemned their adj
vertisement in religious papers, the lions
Herald and others. He differed with the Gov
ernor in regard to the desire for stimulants be-
ing natural one, but considered it an inher-
f. tied disease.
The executive committee held business
meeting at the old Office at $50 p. m.
AT the same hour the ''women's meeting"
conducted by Harriet Jones, pastor of Win
throp church of Friends. Miss Leavitt of
Port land, Mrs. Mary Hartt of New York, Mrs
Clark of New Jersey, Miss Esther Pugh,
editress of "Our Union,' New York, and Mrs.
Perkins of Vermont conducted a very large
and enthusiastic religious meeting at the
stand.
AFTERNOON PROCEEDINGS.
Chorus by choir. Reading of Scripture by
Rev. d. G. Babcock of Philadelphia. 37th
Psalm and prayer. Collection. Solo by Mr. Boil
ton and chorus. The Hon. Sidney Perham,
chairman of the meeting, opened the exercises
by saying, "We have one to address us this
afternoon who is never misinterpreted, one
who is always gladly welcomed, Ex-Governor
Dingley." Mr.. Dingley said; "The State of
Maine has been assigned the leadership in tenn
perance work in the United States. He had
not been assigned to discuss ''relation to the
milder intoXicants," not what has been done,
not what we are to do; but it has been adj
vanced that the use of the milder intoxicants,
wine and beer, would discourage stronger
drinks, and advance temperance; that the APP
petite is natural one. He wished to indicate
some conclusions of his own that satisfy him
that there is great danger in the proposition.
The example of Germany was given and it
was claimed that the use of beer has elevated
the people and excluded intemperauce He
had been in Berlin and found less intoxication
on the streets thau in any other country. He
visited several beer gardens and found not less
than twenty establishments open. Sundays
thousands were drinking this beer. He asked
why no people were to be found drunk in the
streets He was answered that when found at
all under its influence they were hurried inn
mediately to the police station; was told that
intoxicaton was increasing. Bear in mind
also that German is not an Anglo-Saxon.
What might exist in Germany will by no
means follow in this country. Climates differ,
consequently people differ. The French also
are not constituted like us. The effects of
beer on other nations cannot be cited with
reason. The general opinion in Great Britain
is that the bill authorizing free sale and use of
fermented liquors did not diminish, but large |
ly increased the use of hard liquors Two |
hundred million gallons of beer are used in
this country per year,-a larger amount than |
in Germany. Where there Tin these states) |
has been most fermented liquors used there |
has been most hard liquor used.
Is the aDpatitp for drink naturo1o ic
1t is hereditary OR acquired. Dismiss forever
the idea that the appetite for strong drink is
natural. We well know that God never made
one drop of liquor.
what causes drinking? 1t is the same that
causes all other evils. 1t is pleasure, excite
ment or association. Some men are led into it
by the prescriptions of physicians. All Ii
quors are drank for the alcohol in them, either
distilled or fermented. Upon what substantial
basis can it be claimed that we gain by substitv-
ing fermented for distilled liquors? The grand
difficulty in this question is the fact that ever
so small quantity of alcohol in the stomach
creates an appetite for more. The will power
is weakened with each cup that is taken. The
only thing for us to do is touch not, taste not.
(Applause) There is great danger in the
milder drinks. The manufacture of ferment-
ed drinks is doing more damage than the dis
Britain the great evils of beer He was happy
to be a citizen of Maine-tO feel that we are
entitled to praise for what is being done. For
ty-two years ago there were 1000 open bars in
the state. A building could not be moved
without liquor. They used it at haying. AS
result, decay was shown in broken windows
and neglected farms. How is it today? The
sale of liquor is driven into a few of the lower
places in the cities of the state.
Why the increase of these indictments for
crime of which some speak, is it due to the de-
ficiency of police force or other causes, asked
Mr.. Babcock. Mr.. Dingley said that it was on
account of foreign population, war, &c. There
IS decrease Of crime when the number of
native population is taken into consideration.
While he was in the executive chair he was
called upon by committee who wished to in
VeStigate the condition of temperance in |
Maine. They were told to drive by carriage
through the State for test of the amount of
ale of intoxicating liquors.
The speaker did not think as some others in
egard to use of tobacco, II cents per man is
5he revenue on tobacco in this State; in many
others not less than 81 per man, showing less
Use in Maine than other States
Planted on the total abstinence platform we
hall find the foundation, Crooks all the way
Town.
Mrs. Susan Peck of New York, a native of
Wells, widely known in New York, Philadel-
'hia, and many western States, was introduced
md said she felt much honor in being called
lpon to speak from this platform with two
x-Governors of the grand old State of Maine. .
'he thought people in England who use hard
Kinks do not take to lighter drinks. There
ore the free sale of beer there shows that its
rec sale does not diminish the sale of strong
liquors. She thought we can with perfect
afety quote Neal Dow in all matters pertain
ng to temperance. The Maine Law has ac-