The Republican journal., 1897-04-08
General Neal Dow HOnOred.
Temperance People of West Grove, Pa, Cele.
brate His t3 Birthday Anniversary.

The ninety third birthday of General
Neal Dow of Maine, the venerable tenn
perance advocate, was celebrated by the
w. G. I. U. and the Good Tcmplars of
West Grove, Pa, March 10Th and goth.
The w. c. T. L. exercises on the 10Th
consisted of a musical and literary pro-
gram and a brief address by Mr.. F. W.
Gowen of Maine on Meal Dow and His
Life Work. At the close of the pro-
gram refreshments were served. The
following evening the Good Templars
held a special public meeting and good
audience assembled to listen TO an address
by Mr.. Gowen on "Neal Dow and the
Maine Law The West Chester Daily
Local News gave the following report of
the address:
Among other things Mr.. Gowen said:
81 am proud to have known Neal Dow
from boyhood and to have been associat-
ed with him in temperance work in Maine
So long as the word prohibition shall be
known in history SO long will the name
of Neal Dow be cherished by the people
of the world. 1t seems to me this even
ing said the speaker, that | can not
dwell too much on the condition of Maine
when this grand old man first went to
work to remove the rum shops, and its
condition at the present time. Fifty years
ago, when Maine was under license law,
we We're the poorest and most drunken
State in the American nation but to-day.
under prohibition, the country portions
OF the State are absolutely free from the
sale OF liquor and we are now one of the
most prosperous and wealthy States of
the Union.
sin figure, General Dow is rather short
and stout. His head is large, while his
eyes are gray Excellent health has made
his complexion clear and beautiful. and
up to few years ago he had not decay
ed tooth in his head He is always neat
ly dressed, wearing a soft dark hat, and
he has made it q practice for years at the
close of an address of calling for bowl
of milk and crackers aud slowly eating
the same while chatting pleasantly with
friends. In preparing to retire for the
night his arms, body and limbs were rub
bed with coarse towels, his room thorough
ly aired, and then he would lie down to
sleep and rest. His manners are dignlti-
ed, yet simple, and he is very pleasant
gentleman to converse with.
''Grand old prohibition hero and veter-
an of the War of the Rebellion" contin-
ued the speaker, with eloquence, ''long
will we celebrate the day in honor of
renew the struggle for wife, children and
home, which can not fail. OF such man
we love to say:
Nothing can cover his high fame but
heaven;
No pyramids set off his memories
But the eternal Substance of his greatness.
To which we leave him"
At the close of his address Mr.. Gowen
read a letter which he had just received
from General Dow. 1t read thus:
Portland, Me-, March IS, 1897
Mr.. F. W. Gowen My Dear Sir:-Yours
of the 18th inst. reed. With the demands
upon my time at present it is impossible for
me to more than thank you for your kind
letter. and to express the hope that the oc-
casion to which you refer may subserve the
cause III which you are interested.
Very truly yours,
NEAL Dow
The letter was then passed through the
audience, so those present could witness
the handwriting of the ilustrious alb
Staippl