Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-11-17

post and her salary paid by private contri-


every phase of the temperance question
and also upon the duties of citizenship.
We are the only organization that is meet
ing the immigrant and putting into his
hand instructions as 10 his duties and re
sponsibilities in this new home; warning
him of the dangers of the saloon and Civ
ing him arguments in his own tongue
whereby he can meet the specious vagaries
of Anarchists
Work Among the Colored People" was
the subject reported on by Mr. Lucy Thu
man Of jackson. Mich. She said;
Il have received some very encouraging
reports done in a few of the states in this
department of work. We have great hopes
of the success in the future of the work
among the colored women of our own land,
who would be glad if our Christian
women, with sympathy and love, would
lead them and their children TO better
| life. We must look TO the great sister
hood of women TO secure the rights of ed
ucation for women of all climes and color,
not forgetting those whom God has placed
at our very doors. The great White Rib
| bon army of women will always stand the
friends of those who are oppressed and
| wronged. F"
| Mrs Mary H. Hunt of Boston in report
| ing on the work of Scientific Temperance
| instruction, raised the question whether
the perpetuity and extension of what is
known as the 10th century civilization is
assured.
While the fact of asking this question
implies possible doubt, all agree that the
answer to it depends upon, not a few, not
a selected class, but upon the physical.
mental and social character of the people
as IA whole. The question of how this
kind of character can be assured, becomes
of tremendous importance. We find it
universally conceded that as a cause of
physical, mental, and moral degradation
the use of alcoholic drinks and other mar
| cotics outranks all other causes How can
that use be prevented: is the vital ques-
ion that starcs Christcndom in the face
| today. A clear vision of what cannot be
done in our our country may help us to
see what can. That a government of ma
jorities like ours cannot prohibit whatever
| the majority want is an automatic state
mcnt of fact
Can Il representative governments then,
do nothing to prevent the use of popular
substances that menace its civilization;
Yc, it can command such universal educa-
tion on the subject through its system of
public schools as will prevent the forma-
tion of alcoholic and other narcotic habits
| That is what the state and national COVER
mcnts of the United States are doing.
New Jersey, the latest vic
| tory, IS really an aftermath
of the scientific temperance exhibit at the
Worlds Columbian Exposition, and a
\ good temperance education law on the
| statute books of that state is the result.
/ There are only five more states to win
/ Cor compulsory temperance ccducation-ln-
diana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and
\ South Carolina. There are now, accord
/ ing to the latest census estimates, fully
/ 10. 900, GOO children and youth of school
age in the United States Maine reports
a greater gain of interest among teachers
/ and in the use of better methods of teach
I ing this branch during the last year than
/ in the four preceding years.
! Mrs. Helen Rice of Boston, reported the
work of the Temperance Legion, which,
/ she said, is applied scientific Temperance
truth. Through the wonderful accom-
! plishmcnt of the department of scientific
! temperance instruction the truth in r.
I gard to the effects of alcohol, tobacco and
other brain poisons upon the human sys-
/ ten has been available to millions of chill
/ dren in the public schools. The most that
we have to expect of the busy teachers of
/ these schools is that they will impart this
scientific truth earnestly and faithfully.
/ Finding that our older boys and girls
are inclined to drift away at that period in
their lives when they most need the rc-
straints of the triple pledge, we institute
/ the senior grade. in which, through de
bates on current topics, our young people
! learn the relation of the drink traffic to
our government, to Society and to the
church of Christ; and, in which through
parliamentary drills, they acquire not only
excellent training, but thorough r.
spcct for the legion. We get before these
seniors a special optional course of study
and examinations. Hundreds take this
course, receive diplomas and become our
graduates.
Wisconsin in 1891 gathered its gradlI-
ates into IA State Legion, New York fol
lowed in 1898 and Massachusetts, in 1891
Massachusetts welcomed to its annual ".
G. T. L. convention five delegates on pay
ment of dues and other states did likewise
Pennsylvania Lcgions have their own dele
gate at this convention.
The report of the Young Woman's
Branch was presented by Mrs Frances }.
Barnes of New York.
Music hall, with seating capacity of
5000. was crowded to the doors at the
afternoon and evening sessions. Follow
ing the reading of the secretary's report
came the introduction of the fraternal and
visiting delegates and reports of superin-
tendcnts.
At the evening session, addresses of
welcome were made by Mrs. II. NJ. Per
kns of this city. Mayor Bleed and Mrs.
Fl. i. Monroe, president of the state or
ganization: Mrs. Emma A. Cramer, South
Dakota; Mrs. Frances +. Bcauchamp
Kentucky: Mrs. Catherine l.. Stevenson,
Massachusetts Several hundred children
marched on the stage and sang temper
ance songs They were enthusiastically
received.