Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-02

The temperance people of Washington turned
ont en- masse last night and filed the Foundry
Me Church, corner of 18th and G streets
northwest. The occasion was grand mass
meeting OF the nOn-partisan branch of the
army and navy departments OF the Woman {
Christian Temperance Union. The church was
crowded, ard the audience contained many
persons noted in political and social life. The
presence of a large number of Uncle Sam
troops in uniform. reinforced by number OF
marines made a pleasing spectacle.
On the altar were Mrs. Foster, the president
oflthe association; Mrs. Tilton, Miss Chase,
Rev. Dr. Elliott. the pastor of the church; Rep
resentative Morse of Massachusetts,. Capt. Jack
Crawford the noted scout: Hon. Hiram Price.
ex-cOmnIIssiOner of Indian affairs, and Chap
lain Hoes of the navy.
OPEStSG PROCEEDINGS.
The meeting was called to order by Mrs.
Foster who made short address and intro
duced Miss Pierce, who rendered IN excellent
style that beautiful song Columbia, the Gem
OF the Ocean"
Mrs. Foster then gave history of the
organization OF the nOn-partisan society of the
Wet l.. and introduced Miss Chase. who fol-
lowed with an address giving \ history of her
connection with the society. She read a report
of the new society for the months of February
and March. During that period, she said.
ninety-seven men took the pledge. She ill.,
tcrsperJcd Der remarks with several letters
from prisoners in Jail for dcsertion. One letter
Was especially complimentary OF the admins
tratlOn of the War Department.
The sERGE>Sr's SPEECH.
Sergeant McChesney of Fort Meyer then
gave 4 pleasing account of how he was saved
from drunkenness and told of the unit ring
efforts of the ladies in behalf of the soldiers.
His remarks we're quite witty and interspersed
with anecdotes. lie spoke of the great influence
tine society OF Washington had exercised on the
army. At Fort Meyer hc said there were forty
two good temperance men and great prospects
OF more. He said there was no: a man III the
guard house at Fort Meyer today for drunken
ness and tEat was q record to be proud of.
SECRETARY PEocroE's LETTER.
Mrs. Foster read letter from Secretary
Proctor, in which he said. after expressing his
regrets at not being able TO be present: Il
heartily sympathize with the efforts of your
society in behalf of temperance in the army
and navy and shall do everything in my power
TO aid the good work. l am not prepared to
admit that the soldiers of our army more
incorporate than other classes of men. If n SOL
der has drunk too much his very uniform make
1t noticeable, and we may thus do them as a
class injustice. Certainly the more l have seen
of the soldiers of our army the greater respect
i have had for them. As a rule they are men
OF intelligence and of marked devotion to duty
Still 1t Is true that they are exposed to great
temptations. The warm blood of youth and
health runs quick in their veins. and they are
deprived of the guiding and restraining Infiu-
ences OF home and family. Their service is
largely on the frontier and subject to the in
tuences of new settlements. They are subject
too, to the extreme OF physical hardship and ex-
posure, and at other times to the ener-
waiting influences of monotony and routine,
both extremes being severe tests of
the moral fiber. Buj however much or little
class they may. compared with others,
need the efforts of the friends OF temperance
II Is trne they do need them. and we. on the
other hand, owe them a peculiar duty. The
dangers they meet and the temptations they
encounter are the result of service for us all
for our common country. l have often thought
that the churches and good people in the vi
cinity OF posts ought to a greater extent than
they do strive TO establish friendly relations
with the soldiers and to interest themselves in
their welfare The officials of the department
and the officers of the army do not desire to
and will not shirk the duty which is upon them
with reference to this matter. but they well
come the organized and effective aid of your
society, for there is q field of work and it has
large possibilities"
Chaplain Hoes of the navy spoke of the tenn
perance work among the sailors.
The announcement that Postmaster General
Wanamaker in the church brought forth
knowledged the greeting by accepting a seat
upon the platform.
CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD
was the next speaker. He referred to the
great evil that existed on the frontier of selling
liquor to red men and attributed all the In
dian outbreaks to whisky. He gave a touching
history Of his life and concluded his remarks
by reading poem written III the Black Hills
during the Custer campaign, entitled Mother s
Prayers"
Mr.. Wanamaker was deeply interested in
the story and when Capt. Crawford had finished
heartily applaUded him.
CONGRESSMAN MORsEs SPEECH
Representative Morse began his speech by
saying that he didn't believe there was any
safety for any man except by total abstinence
from strong drink. Why? Because alcohol
: is a brain poison and the brain is the seat of
the Will, ana before the man knew it he had
lost his will power and was a drunkard and
couldn Z stop. There were men in Washington
tonight, he said. who could no more stop
drinking than you could turn the sun back
ward and he warned his hearers against the
outer circle of this awful maelstrom
that destroyed the body and the soul
IL was OF great consequence To these young
persons, he continued, IN the morning OF life
mat they start and lay the foundations of their
Character well. WHAT would YOU put into n
young mans character" queried the speaker.
You anticipate one thlng-you would saw
Touch not, taste not, handle not. strong
drink. Is that all:' he continued. NO; if
had voice that would drown the thunder OF
Niagara I'd thunder III your ears the words of
The book, Remember thy Creator" &c
Mr.. Morse finished his remarks by referring
to the bill which passed Congress yesterday
allowing the soldiers groS. He said he had
done his utmost TO defeat 1t, but they beat him.
What was the result? Congress had connected
with the army canteen a beer saloon. on the
theory that 1t would prevent intemperance
among the soldiers by giving them lighter
drinks, such as beer and cider. These he con-
tlnued. are the DEVILS kindling wood and the
BEST thing to do Is TO starve the canteen.
hon. Hiram Price was the next speaker He
made STIRRING temperance address and hit the
general and local government on the way they
handled the liquor question.
POSTMASTER GENERAL wANAMAKHR.
Mrs Foster then introduced Mr.. Wana.
maker, nos as the postmaster. but as the sinner.
intendent Of large Philadelphie SUNDAY
school.
He thanked the audience for the pree,ino
and said he came to the meeting unsolicited
he came only for the good he hoped 70 get ou-
OF II, for he felt as though il was lust such a
meeting as he yearned for. There was a great
deal tonight, he continued, to make them hope
the large audience, for instance, so deeply in
terested IN the work, was one thing and ther
again the fact that the meeting was held in Wash
ington was another. John Browns BODY lie,
Wondering in the grave" he continued, quot