The Portland daily press., 1884-02-02
TEMPERANCE REFORM.
First Annual BIeeting of the Maine state
Temperance Alliance.

from various sections OF tne STATE.
The State Alliance is not, as some have sup
posed, organized for the especial purpose OF
creating sentiment favorable to the constitu-
tonal prohibitory amendment, but rather is
an "alliance' seeking to unite for general
temperance work, the friends of temperance OF
whatever name ina vigorous and well-directed
crusade against intemperance. Its membership
is becoming widely extended, and the associa-
tion bids fair to become for Maine what the
Massachusetts Total A bstinance Society is to
the old Bay State
Rev Israel Luce Of Gardiner, the president
of the Alliance presided at the meeting. The
secretary, Rev. II. @. Munson Of South Ber-
wick. presented an exhaustive report Of the
operations and aims of the Alliance.
Wednesday evening, the attendance was very
large. His excellency, Gov. Robbie, a member
of the State Alliance, presided, and made an
earnest speech in vindication of the temperance
record of Maine and unequivocally committing
himself in favor of the constitutional prohibit
tory amendment to be voted upon next Sep
tsmber.
He was followed by Rev. DR.. Dorchester of
Massachusetts, in an able argument for consti-
oAbtOhoA pASAiDisiOAy ah0 OJ Nov LIZ AAHOWAoo
of Worcester, Mass, whose witticisms and
pyrotechuican style Of orAtory. Eept the audi
ence in a happy frame OF mind for an hour or
more
Thursday, the routine business of the ALI
snce was transacted The officers for the ensu-
ing year elected are as follows, Rev. Mr.. Luce
expressing desire to retire.
President-W. S. Mcintyre, Waterville.
Secretary-Rev. III. @. Munson, South Ber-
wick.
Treasurer-M. G. Palmer, Portland.
There is vice president for each county
the Cumberland county member being Gov.
Robie. The executive committee, Of which
the chairman, secretary and treasurer are
members er-o6icio consists of D. B. Randall
Kents Hill; r. w. Dunu, Waterville; Mrs E.
s. Mason, Biddeford; Il. A. Shorey, Bridgton;
Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens, Strondwater; and Sid
ney Perham, Paris.
Thursday evening, the church was crowded
to its utmost capacity. The speakers were
Rev. DR.. Dorchester, Rev. A. s. LAdd OF Bath,
Rev. d. w. LALacheur of Portland and Rev.
DR.. Knowles.
The committee on resolutions reported the
following, which were adopted:
whereas, The history OF temper ance reform in
Maine has demonstrated that the principles of to-
ral abstinence and prohibition constitute The only
true foundation upon which to build the mighty
pers ructure that is to rid our State from the evils
resulting from the liquor traffic and the drink sys-
TEN, aud
whereas, 1t is necessary to organize the temper
ance forces of Maine for extensive and effective
temp rance work; therefore,
Resot1ed, That the Maine State Temperance ALI
ance, founded apon these principles, meets these
ResoIued, That this organization is not formed
for the advancement of any political party relg
ious
Resolved, That the evils Of intemperance are
largely the outgrowth OF scial tippng. in ferment-
ed, we'll distilled liquors. by people who hold
high social position, ami that any erson who in-
duges in any degree in the use of such drinks
thereby contributes to and IS responsible III part for
Resolged, That while prohibition does not annihi.
late he liquor business it is The best legal measure
ever devised for the protection Of the people against
ravages of the LIQUOR sysuem.
Resotged, Tuat since the principle Of prohibition
is Of inf lite importancs in the defe ce OF home
our Industries and the state it should be ineoporat
ed into the f ndame tai laws of the State
hesotCed, That We cal! upon every temperance
man, woman a-d Organization TO unl With to
secure the passage of this amendment with such an
overwhelming majority that the rum interests will
never dare propose its repeal.
The special committee, to whom was refer
red the question OF the neglect OF the officers
to perform their duty in the enforcement OF
the law, reported the following:
Believing that the faithful enforcement OF
the penalties OF our prohibi.ory law would rid
our State OF the curse OF intemperance, there
fors,
Resoiued, That the active temperance work.
ers of Maine will hold the officers who are
charged with its enforcement responsible for
che faithful discharge of their duties, and es-
peclally do they demand that the county attor-
neys shall not set lie or compromise with any
parties who have been convicted of the viola
tion CT the law, this evil being one of the
worst We have to contend with.
The following letter from Senstor Frye was
read by the secretary:
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, ID. o., Jan. %, 'S4.
Rev. I'll. G. Mu1son, Secretary, &C.:
Dear Sir,-Yonr kind letter inviting me to
be present and address the Maine Temperance
Alliance Is received. II would be great
pleasure to me to accept, but my engagements
here render it entirely impossible. Will you
please extend for me an earnest greeting to
the Alliance, aud bid these determined work
ers to be of good cheer, for the response to
their organized and persistent efforts will be a
splendid victory in September. I am entirely
satisfied that large majority of the voters of
my State is decidedly in favor of prohibition.
That whiis there may be, aud in fact there is
difference OF opinion as to the efficiency or Sa-
cessty OF constitutional amendment, a little re-
hection will satisfy all that tAe defeat of the
proposition wonld be DISASTROUS not only TO
-
the country,
1t would be seized upon az once by the ene-
mieS of the restriction of the liquor traffic as
the deliberate verdict OF our people against
prohibition. After fair trial of th irty wears.
the friends of temperance have every reason
to thank God and take courage. The spirit Of
this reform for years seemed content to abide
in Maine, but lately has refused to be confined
to such narrow limits. 1t has pervaded al
most every State, in some engrafting upon the
laws prohibition, in others inciting earnest en-
quiry, conscit ntious investigation and deter
mined effort.
The advance IN temperance sentiment has
been marvellous. Its strides have been longer
aud more rapid than have been known in any
other moral reform. Washington is the DC
iitical centre Of the Republic and the senti-
ment here best indicates that of the whole
country. In this matter of temperance, the
Washington OF today hardly resembles that of
twenty years ago. Fhen on "New Years Day"
the open house without the hospitallties of the
side board was almost unknown. Now its
tempting display OF the wine that mocks is al
most forgotten Then the government official
who was not lavish in his offer OF LIQUOR to
every Caller was looked upon asa fa-
natlc unwortny of his high position. Now
nothing would be more discreditAole. Then
the public man who refused was regarded as
excentric-lmDolitely odd. Now the majority
decine. Iu this reform Maine took the lead.
Surely she will not now become weary in well
doing, will not now declare to the whole coun-
try that her course for thirty years has been o
mistaken one. God forbid. The harm that
might come, not only to our State but to the
whole country, from such declaration, who
Can contemplate? Temperance men of Maine,
irrespective Of party, casting aside partsauship
ana preJudIcei forgetting those things which
are behind, reaching fofth to things that are
before" press forward, without division with
out petty STRIFE or foolish chickering's to a vic
Tory, not Of a bare majority, but so overwhel-
ming, that It's voice shall reach the utmost linz
It's OF the RepQblic, with no uncertain sound.
Yours truly,
VIM. P. FRYE.
The friends of temperance present regard
this series of meeting as among the most sue.
oessful held in Maine for many years.
Com.