The Portland daily press., 1880-09-02
prohibitory law. by all legal methods, without

prohibitory law, by all legal methods, without
fear or favor.
Resolved, That the Republican party of
Maine has been, from its organization, the
steadfast friend of prohibition, and no good
reason exists why we should transfer our sup
port, directly or indirectly, to those who have
been the uncompromising enemies of the
cause.
Resolved, That the organization of a sepa-
rate temperance party in this State is not
called for by existing circumstances; that it
would be impolitic and unwise; that it would
tend to distract and divide the temperance
workers; and that, instead of fastening, it
would retard, the object we aim to accom-
plish.
Resolved, That we regardl the organization
party Of the State, as essential to the psrpetu.
lty Of our cause; such an organization as will
bring the whole strength OF the Temperance
vote to bear upon the whole machinery Of pol.
itics, from the primary meeting to election
day.
pointed by this meeting to act as central
committee to plan for the complete organiza.
ton of the temperance forces in the future, a.
circumstances may from time to time demand.
The chairman announced the following con-
mittee on organization: n
Hon. Benz. Kingsbury, Portland. -
Hon. H. n. Burbank, Saco. r.,
Rev. @. F. Allen, Fairfield.
Rev. /. Luce, Lewiston.
j. L. Brown, Bowdoinham. -,
n. b. Mutt, PASSPORT.
T. X. Simonton, Camden
Geo. E. Bracket, Belfast.
Hon. j. j. Perry then spoke as follows:
HON. J. j. PRRRY's SPEECH.
We have assembled to-day to consult upon
great question affecting the public interest.
Will the cause of temperance be promoted by
the organization of political party based
upon single issue, to wit, the vigorous en-
forcement of the liquor law? To commence,
have to say that am not afraid to bolt my
party on the temperance question, for did
that very thing more than quarter of CEN
fury ago. Then the old Democratic party, to
which belonged, drove Gov. Hubbard into
retirement simply because he signed prohibi-
tory law, and at q drunken convention At Ban.
and actually defied the Temperance element in
the party. The temperance Democrats accept
cd the gage Of battle, called mass conven-
ton OF boiling Democrats, who met at the old
City Hall In Portland and nominated that gal
liant leader, the Hon. Arson P. Morrill,, our
honored chairman to-day, for Governor. IN
der this flag we "moved upon the enemy's
works." and although we polled but 1900
votes we knocked daylight out of the old DEM
ocratic party, and IL has scarcely breathed
since. Tho next year Gov. Morrill, was elected.
1t will be thus seen that the Republican party
been the true exponent of temperance princi-
pies ever since. That party has given US our
prohlbitory law, and no amendments to
strengthen the law and render 1t more efficient
have been asked for but what the party has
promptly enacted. Under the last twenty
years of Republican administration the tenn
perance sentiment in Maine has made o von-
derful progress. In this party we have had
succession OF temperance Governors. Do we
need third party now to save the cause Of
temperance? answer, mol Gov. Davis has
been true to his trust, and the hue and CRY
against him is without foundation. The
Democratic party has all at once leaped to the
front, and now mourns because the law Is so
poorly enforced. The Argus and other Demo-
cratic papers have just discovered that Gen.
Dow is hero and Joshua Nye an angel Of
light. But these hypocritical pretenses are
put forth with the same honesty that they sup
port Hancock for the Presidency, and boast
how many secession Democrats he killed In
fighting the accursed rebellion.
The new Enforced Prohibition party is but a
bob to the Democratic kite, trick to deceive
the honest temperance Republicans and lead
them into the rebel camp. But the new party
movement will fail. 1t will prove only . ripple
upon the political wave. Joshua will never
lead his followers into the promised land, for
they are bound back to Egypt
Let the temperance men in the Republican
party stand by the old flag, rally once again. to
the conflict and victory will again grace the
proud banner.
The convention was most eloquently ad-
dressed by Senator Blair of New Hampshire,
Rev. Mr. Peck of New York and ex-Gov. Ding
ley Of Maine, Of whose speeches we have not
the time to give even synopsis.