The Portland daily press., 1889-06-07
TINE uNIvERsALIsTs.
Closing Sessions OF the State Con-
ference at Lewiston.

LEWISTON, June 6.-The closing sessions
of the Universalist Conference were held to
day, the principal interest centering in the
temperance resolution introduced by Mr.. N.
f. Woodbury. of Auburn. Mr.. Woodbury's
resolution was as follows
Resolved That having declared that the "nver-
throw of the liquor traffic is the most important
and vital issue before u.s." and that 1.-THE time has
come for every Christian church to declare for
total prohibition for the State and nation," we
hereby declare that we will not support in ma
tonal, State or municipal elections, any party or
person who is not thoroughly and unequivocally
committed to the principle and practi ce of pre-
hibitiOn.
Rev. Mr.. Blanchard spoke against the res
olution and said that there are many other
reforms that the church supports as well.
pledge itself to any political party.
Rev. Mr.. White of Dexter, said 81 voted
the third party ticket, but believe that this
convention has no right to pledge its mem
bers to any party. This resolution pledges
us to the third party and do not think there
is any call to pass it."
N. F. Woodbury. of Auburn. made an in
teresting speech of 20 inmates in support of
the resolution. He said that it was COM
pliment to the third party 10 say that this
resolution committed the convention to the
third party-for 1t indicated that in the gen.
eral comprehension the third party would
seem to be the only party unequivocally CON-
mitted to the principles and practice of pro-
hibition.
Rev. ]. Fl. Little spoke briefly and said
that the basis of the work was the golden
rule: "Do ye unto Others as you would that
they should do unto you." We who do not
agree with others have no right to say to
them, ''you are wrong and we are right"
He said that he did not favor the resolution
for this reason. He did not think any good
would come to the session from such discus
sion and he made motion to lay it on the
table.
J.V. Bradley of Portland, thought no res
oluti0n should be presented to the body ex-
cept through the committee on resolutions.
Hon. Sidney Perham said that he would
like to make a speech if the convention had
time. The hour is late and past the order of
business on the programme. He felt that
the discussion of this question would help
the church and do it good, and for himself
he would delight to say something and hear
1t discussed pro and con.
The question was called for and the reso-
lution was laid on the table.
Rev. Henry Blanchard said that he wished
that the resolution had been presented on
Wednesday and not so near the closing hours
Of the session. He only wished that the con-
vention had time to fully stir up on this
Hon. Sidney Perham introduced the fol-
lowing:
Resolved. That we commend to the women of
the Universalist church, the work aud principles
OF the Woman's Christian Temperance Union as a
most effective agency In the cause OF temperance
and social purity.
Judge Dresser introduced the following
The undersigned hereby gives notice OF his IN
tention TO propose for the adoption OF the conyen-
ton at Its next annual session the following
IN hQl nncflt ltnffn wi
| words and In the maritime provinces" be insert
ed between the first and second clauses OF para
graph i, article of the constitution, and also al
| article Q,
| June 8, 1880. RICHARD DRESSER.
Three hundred dollars was raised for the
Johnstown sufferers and $136 for the
Woman's Christian Association.