Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-29
Held, Wednesday, at the Camp
ground at Richmond.
Rev. W. f.. Berry and Sheriff S. F.
Pearson the Principal Speakers.
Crowd Warmly Applaud Their Speeches in
Interest Of Temperance.

Natcrviiic. secretary of the Maine
civic League, and Rev. S. +. Pear
son of Portland. sheriff of Cumbcrlan /
| county. were the principal speakers, at
| today's temperance rally.
The day beirie all that could be de
sired the crowd began to gather early.
Rev. Chas. f. Parsons of Wcstbrook.
was the leader of services.
At $50 a. NJ. Rev Walter Canham
of HalloweIl, took charge of the social
services. This was a grand temper
ance prayer services many taking part
At 1880. after a short praise service
and other opening exercises, Rev. w.
r. Berry was introduced as The speak
CT of the morning. Mr.. Berrys sub
Jet was a Can to Arms in the De-
fence of our Home. \ large audience
listcn"d 10 the earnest and impressive
words Of the secretary of the Maine
civic League.
Mr.. Berry compared The liquor traffic
and its danger To the drprcda tons of a
wild steer which ran At large and en-
daingcrcd life. Mr.. Berry stated that
oho WAS spent AZ the bars in the
state of Mainc. In Portland alone s.
100000 was spent fer liquor while the
municipal affIirs-state and county
tax include. cost only sl3o0 300
one of the hopeful signs
given by Brother Berry WAS the fact
that officials and business were rcuuir-
ing temperate men 70. their employees.
Some If the Alarming things spoken
of by MI. Berry WIS the condition of
things in Bangor. He stated that there
We're $50 saloons in I'll. city and that
liquor was sold ever the bar as open
ly DIS dry goods over the counters. The
unwrittcn law being that the saloon
shall be closed after 10 O'Clock +. Nj.
and remain closed. also all day SUNDAY
under these conditions they can run.
The true way Of dealing with the
matter was considered at some length.
\ pledge is 4 good thing. but only rep
resents the POWER of the man to keep
it. The only real hope TO overcome
the power of the saloon is to push the
work Of saving souls and the establish
ing of characters. He said that - per
cent of adult males are moderate or
temperate drinkers: also the same of
the voters of Maine. There are about
these forces unite and We would have
balance of power That could bring
victory.
Tho forenoon services were closed
with bcnedction 10y Rev. Walter f.
burlington of Eumfuri
In the afternoon. the large and COM
modiouS Tabernacle was taxed to its
uttermost as the people gathered to
hear the sheriff of Cumberland county
At Las a praise service was led by Rev
e. +. Parsons of Westbrook. during
which beautiful solo WAS rendered
by Mr.. Oscar Mathews of Gardiner.
Rev. w. T.. burlington offered praker.
and then Rev. C. r. Parsons gave
history of the election of Pearson as
sheriff and introduced as a curiosity
which they had i'm Cumberland coun-
ty. Rev s. F. Pearson as the speaker
of the afternoon.
When Mr.. Pearson came onto the
platform he was greeted with great APP
plausc. His subject was: .Does Pro-
hibition Prohibit? p
Mr. Pearson's way is very entertain
ing and the vast audience was held
almost spelbound except for frequent
lecture. in which he introduced many
anecdotes and personal experiences.
He said among other things that the
prohibition law is not an elephant or a
whale. II is simply a statutory enact
ment IT will not work itself. He stated
that the law had been on trial for 80
years. and gave some contrasts be
tween the State 80 years ago and now.
There is no state that can compare
with Maine for virtue and prosperity.
He said. speaking Of his oath as an
officer of the law: II am responsible if
I know of saloon selling liquor until
I have done all in my power to stop
it's work Under my oath I am bound
to do it, and by the grace of God will
do all in my power to make it victori
Gus or die in the attempt" He said he
was offered 5000 to let two men bring
beer and one hard liquors into Cumber-
land county. He then gave a descrip-'
description of ingenious secret hiding
places which were captured, etc.
He spoke very earnestly against re-
submission. He said that there is not
a bar running in any hotel in Portland.
TODAY. but business is increasing being
stated by SoIIit Vi the leauInI DUST
ness men. 80 per cent. better than
year ago.
His address was listened to with the
closest attention and he concluded
with an earnest appeal to the people to
stand against this great evil: then
hastily sha king hands with the clergy
men on the platform he fastened away
to catch the train.
While MIR. Matthews sang solo
which was applauded so earnestly he
came back to sing again and the audi
ence was dismissed with the benedic-
ton bv Rev. c. F. Parsons.
The speaker of the evening was Rev.
II F. Holt of Morrill,.
The two days meeting led by Miss
Nellie ID. Thompson were a success. as
well as the temperance rally. Every
one speaking in the highest terms OF
all the services and speakers. and 50
closes the saith kennebec Valley camp