Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-28
PROHIBITION RALLY.
Rev. A. S. Bisbee of Brunswick
Speaks in Augusta.
Discusses Legal and Moral Standpoint
Of Temperance Advocates.
Prcnounces Outlook Hopeful-Strong'y
Attacks Resubmissionists.

Rev. A. s. Bisbee of Brunswick. deliv-
cred a temperance lecture at union ser
vice in the Universalist church. last night.
before n rather small audience Mr. Bis
bees lecture was very able and dispas-
sionate argument, giving the grounds OF
the prohibition cause and taking up the
main arguments of it's opponents. He
spoke about three-quarters OF an hour.
The meeting was opened by some excellent
singing. followed by Scripture reading
by Rev. Mr. Dunnack of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Rev. Mr. Hayden of
the Tniversalist church. introduced Mr..
Eisbec, who, he said, did not need any
introduction, being a well-knOwn special
ist in his particular line of work
Mr. Bisbec said he appreciated the OPP
Augusta on this important question, to
which he had given a good deal of time
and study. a question which had puzzled
the whole world for ages. since Cyrus anG
Darius took Babylon from the drunken
Belshazzar and Alexander, the conquerol
of the world, failed to conquer himself
While 10 remedy had been discovered
to stamp out, the liquor traffic complete
w. he believed that the nearest approach
to it had been found in the prohibtory
law. No law could stand the test of alb
sOlute efficacy, but that was no reason for
condemning any one of them. A principal
difficulty experienced by the friends OF
prohibition was misunderstanding of its
objects. It's first great purpose was to
educate the public to higher standard
of morality and he believed it was ac-
complishing it. In New York. where Ii
cense has been in vogue for 80 years min
listers in the pulpit advocate open bars on
Sunday. In Maine. where the ppehibition
law has been in force for 50 yfrs, not
even the rum sellers advoeesaf Sanday
sales E%#
Mr. Bisbee said he was askedspnce why
he did not preach to keep people out of
hell, and he replied that thereswas more
need. of preaching to keep hell out of the
people There was something needed be-
sides prayer and preaching. for while the
prayer meeting was making one convert
the grog shop was making 20. The public
had disease to deal with. more, danger
Gus than smallpox and more loathsome
than leprosy. 1t was time the contagion
was attacked at its root. Mr.. Bisbee then
read several passages from the State Con-
stitution, and entered upon discussion of
constitutional and statute law. and the
duties of the three departments of govern
ment. The trouble in the past had been,
he said, that we had had legislation not
only from the Legislature but from the
courts and even the public officials, on the
liquor question. No sheriff or othchr eN-
ecutive officer had right to use discre-
ton i'm enforcing the law. and no court
had right to legiSlate. But he believed
that the outlook was never so hopeful as
now. The law was being roundly cnforc-
ed in many parts of the state. and in
kcnnebec it was hats off to Judge Hall
Mr.. Bisbee then attacked the resubmis
sion arguments. The question was no
longer that Of the referendum. but result
mission and license. He believed this to
be trading in public morals. He disposed
OF the argument that prohibition does not
prohibit by citing numerous instances
where it is prohibiting. 1t will prohibit if
enforced. and it is no fault of the law If
officials fail to do their duty. Theh arsu-
ment that the law cannot he enforced he
disposed of in the same way. citing the
case of Portland where everything was
shut for three days. recently. lie attack
ed with keen rdicu.c the arguments that
the closing of big saloons opened dives,
that prohibition increases the sale of IL
uuor, and Injuries other business. The
conclusion of his addr, So Col sisted of a de
nunciation of the resubmission advocates
and an appeal to all friends of good gov
crnment to rally round the cause of tenn
perance and prohibition.