Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-21

Address from the Chafrman-A
Grand Mass Meeting TO be Called.


Grand Mass Meeting TO be Called.
In accordance with call of Stonewan
Division No. l, Sons of Temperance, there
was quite large gathering last evening at
the hall of the division, corner of Abercorn
and Bay streets There were representatives
from all the subordinate temperance lodges,
and the following named ministers:
Rev. DIR. /. s. X Arson of the Independ-
ent PRESBYTERIAN Church. Rev. DR.. Bowman
of the Lutheran Church, Rev. J. 0. Branch
of Wesley Monumental Church, and Rev.
Geo. C. Thompson of the New Houston
Street Church.
was called to order by Mr.. Fl. w. Dennis of
Stonewall, who requested that Chairman
be elected.
Mr.. Charles o. Lamotte was nominated
and elected, and was escorted to the chair.
Mr.. Lamotte, returning his acknowledge
ments to the meeting, proceeded to explain
the objects of the assemblage In the follow
ing manner:
The object of our present meeting con-
templates free consultation in reference
to the proprlety and expediency of repre-
sentation of the temperance sentiment or
Chatham county in the approaching State
Temperance Convention to be held at At
lanta on July 4th next. The temperance
people seeing, in the general awakening of
the people of the State OF Georgia to the
necessity of some legislation looking to the
protection of the people of our other
wise prosperous commonwealth from
the blight and ruin of their social
and commercial and political interests
caused by the liquor traffic, have thought
the present time a fitting opportunity for
mass convention, representing the temper
Of ha uhn Gtakn RI
two important obiects-frst, to unity, and
consequently strengthen, that sentiment
by concentrated and earnest effort, and,
second, to unite on some general plan OF
legislation by the present General Assem-
bly, of Georgia, looking to the final over
throw of the liquor traffic and the ultimate
triumph OF the policy OF prohibition.
The first of these important objects will
surely be accomplished by the assembling
of the proposed mass convention. 1t is an
undeniable fact that the strength of the tenn
perance vote of this State has heretofore been
uuwisely FILTERED away, and been lost and
swallowed up by parties who have used 1t,
not only to defeat our humane purposes,
but actually to secure legislation directly In
imical to our principles and purposes; to
pander to the rum power which ex-
ercises such potent influence tor evil upon
the politics of the country; to ostraclse
from political position and influence the
best and wisest of our statesmen, and to
cast contempt upon our most cherished
principles.
The above results Of our want of unity,
harmony and political cohesion are marked
and visible to every enlightened temperance
man and woman, and it is only as we are
bound together by the strong chords OF truth
and animated by q oneness of purpose to
carry into our politics the principles which
we honestly believe will infuse healthier
moral tone to them, that we can expect
the elimination Of our long cherished and
hoped for results, the Punishment of intern
perance from our land and the consequent
elevation in moral tone and progress in ma
teTial prosperity as people.
If no other result is accomplished by the
proposed State temperance mash meeting,
this is of sufficient Importance to justify
| the convention.
But the second object is of practical i'm
portanee, especially at this 1uncture when
a golden opportunity is presented, and
way providentfally opened to secure the
| triumph Of our principles in our own be-
| loved State. Throughout the whole extent
| of our commonwealth feeling has been
aroused upon the subject, and at juncture
which, II wisely, faithfully and fearlessly
controlled and directed, will lead 10 one OF
the most glorious reforms that has ever
| came over this State, and produce results
Il =
that we contemplate them with a feeling
akin to ecstacy The will of the people ex
| pressed by the Legislature In statute OF
| twenty lines can transfuse untold joy
throughout our entire land, hushing the wall
of sorrow and suffering, gliding with hope
the future of our great State, advancing all
| ils interests, social, moral and CONNER
cal, and marking the era as one
of new life and development of all the re-
sources which 60 to make up States true
greatness.
But though the full measure of our hopes
may be denied to us by the present General
| Assembly, there is reason to believe that
| important concessions to the temperance
| sentiment will be made, and in order that
no conflict of views may exist to distract
| the counsels of our friends, and that no
want of harmony In the views of our friends
| in the several sections of the State may
retard or hinder wise legislation looking to
the general good, the convention has been
called, and will, we trust, unite upon some
general plan, after carefully surveying the
| whole field, which will promote the general
cause and secure the general good.
These, in brief, are the objects which we
have met together to further, and which,
we trust, will secure your careful consid-
| Grafton.
A resolution was offered by the Rev. Mr.
| Branch, as follows:
ReSolUed, That action be taken to secure
representation in the convention to be held
| in Atlanta on the 4th of July.
That the Chairman be authorized to call
a mass meeting on Tuesday evening next,
at such place as he may deem advisable to
| select.
The Committee on Arrangements was en-
larged and every detail perfected for q
mammoth affair. The following comprise
| the new members of the committee: Rev.
Mr.. Thompson, Rev. j. 0. Branch and
w. B. Nell, Esq
Some remarks very pertinent to the occa-
sion were made by Rev. DR.. Bowman, Rev.
DR.. Arson, Rev. Mr.. Branch, Mr.. Nell and
| others.
After arranging some further unimportant
| business the meeting then adjourned.