Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-11
THE |. 7. LEGION.
Kennebec County Children
Hold a Grand Convention.
Recitations, Speeches and Addresses
Without Number Fill the Air.
How They Came and What They're Here For
Address BY Mrs. Siev,ns.

ital city, Saturday They came from
everywhere; from the country round
about on all sides. in carriages and
wagons of every conceivable descrip-
ton, all the white. as they passed
through the streets. crying their tenn
perance calls, or singing. for they were
on their way to the great county con-
vention, the first of the Kennebec Di-
vision of the Loyal Temperance Legion
This legion is well named It has in
the United States 800, 900 members
there being in Maine between 5000 and
5000. All these are organized into COM
panies from the different towns, which
are united by counties
AT this convention they were out in
great numbers. They swarmed into
the rooms of the W. c. r. u; and still
they came, until over 200 children, big
and little, had gathered there, or about
the doors. They had their lunches with
them. in picnic style There they left
$1,000 DS<NSS eAAd UdShtlS, anu WITH
colored banners a-fying in the wind,
singing and shouting in the cause of
their earnest purpose, they marched on
and took possession of the Conerega-
tional chapel. There they seated them
selves, shortly after 10 o'clock. The
little girls, with the bright, ROSY faces
and straw hats bedecked with bright
colors and pretty ribbons, made the
chapel look like a beautiful garden of
flowers. Then there were the bows
sturdy fellows; and some not so very
little, either, who had come into the
meeting. members of the Legion. to
listen to the recitation and talks and
take part in the singing
The morning exercises, after an adj
dress of welcome by Mrs. DR.. Friend
and prayer by Mrs. J. NJ. Wyman, We're
given, including recitations by Emery
Bean Of Co. G., and queries by the
There We're also songs with addresses
by the l.. T. L. presidents, and reports
Upon the adjournment. all returned
to the room of the w c. r. U. on Water
street, in procession as before hun
cry crowd of little ones. There cocoa
was given out, which with the lunches
they had brought made fine dinner
When the children had rested they
again marched to the chapel, and there
We're more recitations and singing
The event of all was the address by
Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens, known the coun-
try through for her noble. earnest work
in the cause of temperance. And. when
she arose to speak. the children paid
the closest attention.
Mrs. Stevens began by relating the
story Of an accident which occurred in
New York. some time ago, to a picnic
party, largely composed of children.
She said: THE captain of the boat
was under the influence of drink, and
was unable to manage the boat, and it
capsized. A large number would have
been lost but for the bravery of a lad
who was out cruising around in his
boat. He tried to rescue all, but, as he
worked on, he kept calling out. Give
me the children first of all. Thus it is
with the w. c. r. U. We are working
along in 40 different departments, but
we consider the children's work the
most important of all, and are trying
to save them from becoming the mod
crate drinker, some of whom pass on
into the ranks of the drunkards
Ever since / was a little girl | havel
heard it said, over and over. that $4,000
die each year. We want to
stop all this and it is easier to train so
children right than it is to reform one
Mrs. Stevens told the children sew
eral stories illustrative of the princi-
pies of the L. T. L., which they seemed
to heartily appreciate 1t referred to
the beautiful drinking fountain given
by the l.. r. l.. of the United States to
the city of Chicago, at the time of the i
Worlds Fair, a bronzed figure of a
beautiful little maiden holding out toI
all who wish, cup of cold water. 1t
stands upon one of the principal streets
Of that great city.
The national motto of the Legion isl
"Tremble, King Alcohol, for We Shall
Crow In" I'VE believe" continued
Mrs. Stevens, "the star of hope in the
reform hangs over the
heads of the great increasing army of
children. who are being rightly trained.
II is said that, upon the latch of the
door of immortal glory is child's
hand 1t is part of the work of the w.
C. r. u. to help the little hand TO mt
the latch and to help usher in the day
when the kingdom of this world shall
hecome the kingdom of our Lord. and
His Christ"
Mrs Stevens was loudly applauded
hy the little ones, who keenly appre-