The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-15
ma, proceeded to speak on the methods of tenn

perance work. To those who affirm that as
much rnm is sold now in Maine as ever, it was
answered that many of his auditors could re-
member the universal prevalence of the drink
ing habit in years past and could contrast that
with the condition of things now. Probably
not one-third of the men of Maine use liquor,
and in the country at large not one-tenth as
much liquor is used now, in proportion to pop
ulation, as would be used if it were not for
temperance agitation.
The first method that may be employed is
for everyone to set the potent example of total
abstinence. The second method is found in
the moral influences of the teacher, the press
and the pulpit. Third, the efforts of the vari-
GUS organized societies, every one of which
leaves the tide-mark higher than before.
Fourth, the work among children on the prin-
ciple that an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure. Fifth, the speaker was glad to
see the introduction of text books into the pub
lie schools whose design is to exhibit the ply
Biological effects of alcohol on the system.
Sixth, announcement is found in the fact that
the churches are taking up the subject AS
supplemental instrumentalities, the aid derlv-
ed from the prohibition law was commented
Ous LII I0lcIouCo W btlo 0AoCt VI tuO low, oho
speaker confuted, on the authority OF ex-
Gov. Dingley the statement that crime has
increased under it. The prohibition law has
been grand success, though there have been
ups and downs in men and localities. As a
matter of fact especially in the rural districts,
there are hardly any open bars. In reply to
the demand for more legislation and greater
severity. it was said that it cannot be expected
to stop the traffic entirely; better enforce the
laws already existing.
l. %
Yes. The more the BETTER but only in the
higher sense should temperance be carried into
politics; never should the question be intro
duced for the purpose of carrying an election.
In regard to Independent politics, the speaker
stated his conviction that a voter can have a
greater influence in than out of the party. The
Independent temperance party, led by DIR.
Miner, in Massachusetts,, was deprecated. In
conclusion, strong words were spoken for the
candidacy of ex-Gov. Dingley in the Second
District. The address, occupying about an
hour, was marked by sound argument and a
temperance of language that was more con-
vincing than the wild talk sometimes INDUCED
in on such occasions.
Brief remarks were made by Rev. Mr.. Lee
Lacheur of Portland, and Rev. j. B. Hamil-
ton of Rhode Island. A social meeting oc-
CURED in the evening.
SUNDAY.
An o'clock temperance love feast in charge
of Job Sanford of Portland, led the programme
of Sundays services. Brief speeches were
made by a large number from the stand and
from the audience Especially interesting
were the remarks of Hon. John Munger, Mrs.
Ladd Sanford and Capt. Coyle of Portland.
At 1880 about two thousand people assembled
Prayer was made by Rev. T. Cobb. Ex-Gov.
Perham, in virtue Of his Office of President of
the convention, introduced Rev. j. Benson
Hamilton of Westerly, r. l., who read por-
ton of Scripture, and after singing solo
"Fading away like the stars of the morning.,
announced as his text Proverbs. 10:7-"The
memory of the just is blessed, but the name
of the wicked shall ROT. The glory of the in
hertance left by those who die while doing
good work for the state or for humanity, con-
trasted with the oblivion of the victims of in
temperance was the theme that was presented
The close attention of the large audience prov
ed that the right man was in the right place.
Mr.. Caswell of Canada, who is gifted with
fund of happy anecdote and illustration rival
ing that of John B. Cough, was next intro
duced and made telling speech.
From to 2 p. m. the time was occupied by
rousing temperance conference meeting.
A larger audience than that of the morning
came together at the sound Of the bell for the
afternoon service. The choir after prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Woodbury., sang "Oh where are the
reapers," when Hon. Neal Dow was introduce
ed. The temperance movement, said the
speaker, proposes to stop great traffic and to
change the habits of the land; therefore to
those who ask the reason for all this, the reply
is that intemperance is inconsistent with the
welfare of the country and the people. To
sustain this position quotations were made
from Wesley. Canon Farrar, DIR. Holland,
Robert Ingersoll and the London Times The
rum dealer says what are you going to do
about it. Put it down with the ballot, said the
orator. The efficacy of the Maine law was dis
cussed at length, and the New York Tribune,
as an example of that part of the public press
which persistently misinforms its readers upon
the value of prohibition, was severely CRITICS.
ed. Finally, as the temperance movement
originated among the masses, SO upon them we
must depend for the furtherance of the cause
Rev. Geo. W. Bicknell of Lowell, formerly
of Portland, was the next speaker. Some &C.
count of the temperance work in Lowell was
given, where after balancing from prohibition
to license back to prohibition the intelligent
city government have at last returned to Ii
cense. Although the time allotted to the meet
ing had expired, on the conclusion of Mr..
BicknelPs remarks repeated calls from the
audience brought Mr.. Caswell once more to
the front, who made ten minutes speech
highly relished by his listeners. The doxology
concluded the service.
The days programme was concluded by a
temperance sermon preached in the evening
by Rev. DIR. J. o. Knowles of Boston.