The Republican journal., 1888-05-24
Moral and Political Needs.

At the May meeting of the Congregations
Club in Portland last week the subject of tn,
evenings discussion WIS: National Reforms
We're you now Dictator which would YOU ell
force" Remarks were made and letters wer,
read from many prominent men. some of whom
expressed themselves As follows
JUDGE GODDARD.
Judge Goddard said that the answer he had
to give would not be an agreeable one. would
issue warning. he said. to all reform societic,
to show reason for their existence, or forever
hold their peace. The reform | would pro-
mote, he said, were | dictator, is something
that would secure the safety of the life and
limb of the individual.
Crime of all sort is aarminyly on the increase
The population of Maine to-day is only Il II
per cent. more than in 1851. In 1871 there were
81 convict> in the State prison, four for muir
der. and II for other high crime. Thirty-scNe Ell
years later there were 23S conVicts, 81 for high
crime. 43 murderers, to whom will soon he
added the five now awaiting sentence or sure
of conviction. How can these things he with
out exciting any special wonder: The most
amazing thing is that our moral and religious
community contemplates them with indter-
ence. 1t makes but little difference to me. the
Judge continued. whether you say that existing
reforms are accomplishing their object or not.
If they have thcv have been inefficient to stop
49,
no good-a government which allows all these
things to he is failure.
The decay of moral and religious instruction
IN the schools is a great evil. The Catholics
are right when they say we are giving our chill
dren goddess education.
1t is pleasant to say we gain on our ancestors
in civilization, but believe, lie sud, that the
200 years in the history of this country. from
1920 to 1920, We're more fruitful in physical.
mental. moral, and religious advancement than
in the like time in the history of any other
country, and that our Puritan ancestors did
more to build up integrity. honesty and man
hood than any other set Of men have ever done
IN the same time. If our ancestors We're drunk
ards. let us he nation of drunkartls. that hui
man life may be saved. What we want is more
preaching on the >infune>> of sin ana not the
ornamental parts of it.
Judge Goddard paid his respects to { CDngre><.
and said that wasting time in tilibu>tering to
prevent the passage of il bill that was sure to
pass was undermining the Republic The
speaker closed by citing the history Of other
nations to illustrate his remarks.
SENATOR FRYE.
II hardly understand the question; does it
refer to political reforms alone: civil service
reform betrayed in the house of its friends is
hardly the most important. The ballot more
strongly appeals for puritieation and protection.
Two millions east it who cannot read it /: thou
sands sell ii for money; in sections of the coun-
try false counting and suppression prcvert lis
purpose. Were dictator would make the
ballot what the Constitution intended it to
be. If reference is to moral reforms only.
poygamy would not be first. for it is diving
but there is an evil. fearful in its strength. ter
rib!e i'll its power to destroy-intemptrancc
Its allies We're never so powerful, aggressive
organized. as now : they have banded them
selves together III associations of immense
wealth and numbers: they purpose to control
LEGISLATION l,N fair or l,- f,Il rL.i
nounced purpose is to manufacture liquors and
sell them without limitation of law. 1t is the
most gigantic, threatening and perou> evil of
our land. and Were dictator | would first of
all strange TO the death this monster"
SENATOR HALE.
Senator Eugene Hale writes Il do not think
that among subjects included in what may he
called national reforms there is any of more
vital interest to the Amo rcan people than the
purity of the ballot. That the elective franchise
should he everywhere free and unre~trainy,I
under the laws: that the Use of money at clrr-
tion> should he forbidden and that fair count
of the ballots should he had, are all things of
tn" very first political Importance
CONGRESSMAN DINGHY.
congressman Diugley writes II know If no
national reform Which would promote thu
moral and material inte.r>t> of our people
more than the abolition of the tiram->hop, AMI
the General abandonment Of drinking habits 10y
our people, the most prolific call>c of vice,
misery, paupcri>m and crime. If | Were a
dictator would enact laws in the several
states and the nation prohibiting he manufac-
ture. importation and sale Of intoxicating Ii
quor> as abrvcragc, with all possible ctcencN.
Laws are useful yes. Indispensable adunct> Of
moral agencies, nothing more. If | were die
taior | should ~ obliged to RELY mainly ON
those moral and educational influences W hrll
create a healthy public sentiment. form correct