Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-21

declare that il has not accomplished all that
was expected Of it. The first assertion
certainly is not true. For taking the State
Is whole, sale and use Of alcoholic liquors
are much less than in the years prior to the
passage of the law. As to the second as
eertion that the Law has not accomplished
all its sanguine friends expected, it may be
true. It may be that experience is demon
stratipg that temperance is more contingent
on the intellectual and moral education of
the young than on the law. But this does
not prove that stringent laws on the subject
are not necessary to dy their part. Nor are
! the character and the value of the services
of Neal Dow contingent on the entire sue
cess of the prohibitory law. Hisreputation
should and will remain attested by this fact
| He devoted the entire forces of his
moral nature and of his infxible will
to the overthrow of the liquor traffic. For
more than half centvry he has stood a.
persistent, fearless, uncomplaining protest
against rum shops and liquor saloons, as
Martin Luther stood 40 protest against
certain religious abuses of his time, and as
bravely a. VIZ. Lloyd Garrison stood for
many years q protest of iron and fire
against the enormous wickedness of Amer
ican slavery. 1t is this lifelong devotion
to moral purpose-this CONTIGUOUS care
for the common welfare, this constant
| showing by words, by acts and life. that
one who has the convictions and inspiration
of true manhood, is not and cannot be
bound up in selfhood. but must 60 outsi le
Eof himself by seeking his highest good in
tbs common veal of all. Only this noble
ideal can be satisfactory to the true eoul.
| Although it becomes necessary to modify
in some respects the plan of Mr.. Dow for
the suppression of the liquor-traffic and
the promotion of temperance, it would be
only another illustration Of what has SO
often occurred in the progress of civiliza-
ton and of improved government, which
must depend mainly on the the teachir gs
of experience. Whatever bears the full
test of experience will stand, and that
which will not endure this test becomes
light and instruction for future efforts.
Fulton's first steamer on the Hudson, with
a speed of four miles an hour, had in it
remarkable elements of success, which at
test the genius of the inventor. But the
present steamers, at % miles an hour, with
| their spacious and convenient arrangements
for passengers and freight. are striking i'm
provements on the great projectors original
design. The value of Fulton's invention is
not lessened, by increased, by the magni-
tude and beauty of later improvements.
He who persists many years in the work of
moral, economic, or scientific experience,
is benefactor to his race, and by just
standards will always be 60 held. In this
regard Mr.. Dow has gained true distinction,
even in the estimation of those who may
differ from him their opinions. 1t
"a ,,opo1 bopniaYy1 in many
years directed against tremendous
evil in our own and in other lands, that is
the chief cause of the respect we pay this
State whose Goth birthday is being COM
memorated on both sides of the Atlantic.
After Mr.. Stevens address DR.. Kicker
spoke of his early acquaintance with Gen.
Dow, and said he had always found him to
be man of sterling character, noble prin
ciple, and always enthused with the cause
of his endeavor.
Rev. E. E. Newbert of the Unitarian
church mentioned the name of Neal Dow
as a synonym of temperance, sobriety, Sc
curity, philanthrophy and purity. He spoke
of him as being man of wonderful tenac-
ity of purpose.
Rev.. M. Wymsn, pastor of the church,
read one of James Russell Lowelrs poems,
"Our Country's Call" which he spoke of as
being fitting tribute to the noble man.
Rev. C. S. Cummings Of the Methodist
church dwelt upon the idea Of great men
not being understood. He presented the
aim of the man whose birthday anniversary
they were paying memory to, in endeavor-
ing to wipe out the dram shop, that there
was great moral in his life and work.
Mayor Milliken, not being able to be
present. sent very pleasing letter express
ing his regrets. The portion of his address
relative to the enforcement of temperance
in this city was read by Mrs. J. M. Wy
man.
Rev. J.S. Williamson of the Con-
gregational church, asked in be-
ginning his talk, "Wbat does the
celebration of Neal Dows Birthday
mean to you, who are present." He said
Mr.. Dow aimed to be a redeemed man.
That his work was criticised, but he kept
on and on.
Rev. E. C. Hayes of the Free Baptist
church, spoke Of the old ways of celebra-
ting the birthday anniversary of some noted
man. He alluded to the exhaustless efforts
this great man had manifested in his noble
purpose. OF the heroism and vigor he had
shown in advocating the principles Of tenn
perance and of the stronghold he had to
duty.
Mrs. Wyman read extracts from Senator
Frye, Frances Willard, and other prominent
men and women, both in this country and
over the water.
Mrs. Z. S. Fogg presided over tie exer-
cises. The ushers we're Misses Holmes,
CONTINUED on I'd page.]
Highest Of all in Lcavening Pow