The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-27
NEVER TO EAT MEAT.
Pledge of a New American Society-All Pos
sible Blessings Promised to Vegetarians.

PHILADELPHIA, June 26.--In cluster of
stately poplars at Alnwick Grove. IN Montgom-
cry county, out 200 miles from Philadelphia the
Vegetarisns gathered in annual meeting to-day,
to feast and celebrate The spot chosen for the
event is 6slightful one, nesting between the
hills eleven niles out on the town branch of the
Reading rss<< with Perny Polk creek winding
rregularly through woods and foliage, and COM
pleting romantic and picturesque scene 1t
was not day to heartily enjoy such surround
ings, as the intermittent showers compelled all
hands to remain under cover most of the time.
Three Italians, with harp and two violins fur
nished music in the dancing pavilion, but as
there were only two gentlemen on the floor to
some thirty ladies, this branch of the festivities
was rather tedious.
The first real signs of life and activity were
visible when the matrons and misses of the
party spread a half dozen rustic tables and in
vted all present to a bountiful supply of vege-
tables, fruits and nuts, and the pie in great va
riety. Meat in any shape, was religiously ex-
cluded from the feast. The vegetarians are,
with hardly an exception, teetotalers, and the
regulation drink was lemonade, without any
embellishments. The appettes of the old and
young appeared to be whetted for the occasion,
and the absence of animal food aid not seem to
divest the guests Of hearty relish for the other
good things literally provided.
One of the lady managers remarked: "You
see it is a mistake tosuppose. asimany people do,
that we vegetarians starve ourselves; on the con-
trary, we draw without reserve on natures
storehouse for pure and healthy food, rejecting
meat and fish,"
After dinner meeting was convened in one of
the payiions, with Rev. Henry S. CEubb pastor
Of Christ Church bible Christians), as chairman
and director generally, and Miss Belle Smith as
secretary. Mr.. Chnbb opened the proceedings
by briefly explaining the true meaning and pur-
pose of vegetarianism He said:
We believe it is better for mankind to live
on fruits. grains and vegetables direct from nat
ure, before they have been formed into animal
life, and have thus become subject to diseases
peculiar to animals. The advantages that we
claim for it are that it furnishes the industrial
classes with better food for less money, and
makes their wages go a good deal further. If
there were more vegetarians among the working
classes there would be less labor troubles and
fewer strikes. Vegetarianism is also great
check to intemperance. The taste for drink and
stimulants is largely created by animal food,
and where the latter is avoided there is compar-
atiyey little drunkenness. 1t also commends
itself to the aesthetic classes-those who aspire
to better and purer lives This class includes
the great majority of the American people, and
for them there is nothing advantageous as a
home where the atmosphere has never been sui
lied by the foul odor of slaughtered beasts"
The speaker concluded by giving it as his
opinion that the great majority OF domestic
troubles, including divorces, were caused by the
belligerent disposition acquired from eating ami
NAL food
DR.. j. Lowell followed, and indorsed all the
preceding speaker had said. both from his OBJ
servaton as physician and experience as veg
etarian. In the course of his remarks he sad
Vegetation promises more help toward reform,
more for the advancement oftruth, the elevation
of humanity, the eradication of disease and the
preservation of health; the accumulation and en-
joyment of wealth. or longevity and ripe old age;
more for the moral and spiritual elevation of
mankind and general happiness than any issue
with which am acquainted
The meeting then resolved to organize THE
Vegetarian Society,"" and a committee of seven
was appointed to issue a call for meeting for
that purpose in Philadelphia at an early day.
The organization is to embrace every State in
the Union,