National Republican., 1884-02-25
AT MASONIC TEMPLE.
Addresses Oh Temperance by Bishop AM
dreYvs and Prof. Gregory.

! Addresses Oh Temperance by Bishop An-
drews and Prof Gregory.
Masonic hall was crowded yesterday after
noon ut the mass meeting of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Roach
presided, aud Miss Hcndloy read the
Scriptures. Prayer was offered by Qev. Wm.
Burris. Col. G. w. johnson conducted tho
music.
Bishop T.. G.. Andrews, of the NJ. f. church,
said: Engaged in Temperance reform work,
we are in the midst of great battle, which
is destined to increase in fury until the final
triumph. The forces against us are strong.
| This is q many-sided issue. First, it is u
question OF great interest to the public
health, since there are thousands each
year carried tO drunkards' graves.
while those who survive the use Of strong
drink are enfeoblcd, and their offspring born
with weak physical powers. Total abstinence
would do more for the public health than all
our boards Of health" Then the public
wealth is concerned. There is now squandcred
on strong drink money which ought to be
used in making homes comfortable. We are
trying to elevate our people. We deem 1t
wise to spend large amounts of money to
educate our children, hence we should Danish
this evil, so that we may have a race of clear.
eyed, intelligent men and women. Tho
drinking usages are antagonistic to all good,
anu no CTllne runs TlOI III lnO oldlt Dub II
perpetuated by this curse. It is question of
Importance to every locality. We cannot
expect good laws nor good government when
the voters are marched from the saloons aud
barrooms to the ballot box. Love of country
demands our efforts TO drive this evil away.
Also divine law prompts us to action, as the
drink traffic is more in the way OF the coming
of Christ's kingdom than any other evil.
DIR. j. NJ. Gregory, civil service commits
sioner, was introduced and said: 'In this
country public opinion carries forward every
great movement, and our efforts should be
directed toward making public sentiment so
in favor of total abstinence as to insure its
triumph. 1t is charged that tho temperance
people are fighting on the same ground all
the time, and are making no progress. This
is a mistake. True, we are fighting the same
foe, us our armies did at the two battles of
Bull Run, but the cause is constantly advanc-
ing New organizations have been formed,
and have developed wonderful power and in
luence in temperance work, and of late years
the women of the land have come forward
SO that now American Christian womanhood
is in the fr mt of the battle. see good omenS
in the late gatherings of distillers and
brewers in the west where i live, and in
the east where we are now, in thoir form
ing largo purses and lobbies with which to
influence political powers, and thus save
themselves. 1t means that they are alarmed.
1t was not until woman took hold of this
question, bringing her womanly devotion and
influence, that these protective leagues were
so largely organized.
Our opponents point to Maine, and tell us
that prohibition has done no good. As well
might we ask since we have spent millions
for education, and everybody has not yet been
educated, what good has 1t doneP You may
say that though we have educated one gene
ration, it has passed away, and now new one
is to be educated. What good is accomplished?
1t is said that all races of men have some
kind of stimulant, and that the temperance
cause is in the face of this natural desire.
We all believe in the advancement of the
human race, and If We ever rise beyond tho
present civilization it will be by overcoming
the evil passions and appetites Of men.
Since the liquor dealers stand in the way Of
human progress they must go down. AS We
recently found it necessary to strengthen the
Washington monument, so we may find in
our progress that we must strengthen and
deepen the foundations of the constitution
framed for us by our fathers, to prevent it
being undermined by the liquor traffic.
Capt. Tracy concluded the addresses, after
which Mrs Roach announced a meeting for
next Sunday afternoon, to be addressed by
Mr. Jewett of Massachusetts,, and Chaglie
Nye, Of this city.