Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-22
The Proposed State Temperance
Society,

Society.
This afternoon at 230 o'clock nom
| noliticai. non-sectarian meeting of be-
| levers in practical temperance Will be
held at Reception Hall, Portland. The
object Of the meeting will be the or
ganizatinn Of a State Temperance So
ciety whose sole work shall be ITO en-
courage total abstinence by the eX-
ample and influence of its members"
Unquestionably there is opportunity for
such society to do a grand work in
Elaine supplementing the law by APP
reals to all that is truest and best in
human nature. When prohibition was
incorporated in the constitution Of our
State, there was feeling among the
noble men and women who had so
long, and at so much personal sacri-
flee promoted the cause of total abb
State, there there was no longer any
call for a continuance of this kind of
work, that the law could henceforth be
depended upon to insure the practical
results formerly secured through
moral suason. In a way it did even
more. 1t closed up the open saloon.
1t put the ban Of public condemnation
upon the liquor traffic. It made it diff
cult for men to crafty their appetites
ff,r iy,tf, .iTrl,1 4g.. I,It nd
did not stop the use of alcoholic Ii
quors. The fact has been demonstrate
ed that 50 long as men give way to
depraved appetites 50 long they will
find means Of gratifying them. 1t is
evident therefore that there is still
chance to supplement the good work of
the law, with work of the kind that
proved 50 efIicacious in the spread of
temperance sentiment, and the promo
life Gf the State. The only true tenn
perance man is a temperate man, and
as we win men to the practice of per-
sonal sobricty and thrift 50 do we build
Up in the community a healthy public
sentiment that will stand firmly be-
hind the laws for the suppression Of the
liquor traffic and their enforcement
Moreover it will reach out a helping
hand 10 the individual citizen striving
% rise III manhood above the de-
hatchery Of appetite to a place of
honor and respect among his fellow
men. Emerson has told US that,
"Man is a bundle of rclations-a knot
Of roots whose flower and fruitage is
the world"
We live largely in our associations
for We are all by nature social beings.
Inasmuch therefore as these assoca-
tions are mutually helpful and stmu-
lating. I'D much easier does it become
for our better selves to assert them
selves and dominate our daily lives
A strong State temperance society hav-
ing for its object the encouragement
Of total abstinence through personal
influence and example will be a power
for good in the community. and every
good citizen should feel under personal
obligation to assist in and further its
work in all possible ways.
There is no greater fallacy than the
assumption that the liquor traffic is a
help to other business. 1t is a serious
handicap to all legitimate interests
The man who spends his money in
whole or in part for rum, becomes so
| much less a patron of the grocery
store. the clothing store. the shoe store
of every business outside Of the
saloon. Industrial establishments have
come more and more to appreciate the
fact that Incorporate employees are not
profitable ones, and have become, by
the pressure Of business interests,
strong forces for the promotion Of
! practical temperance.
NJ one influence can reach all
! men. What would appeal to one,
would fail in reaching another. We
many influences exerted in behalf Of
| temperate living. In union there is
strength With a strong active or
ganization and the cooperation Of
good citizens everywhere the proposed
| State Temperance Society can accom-
| plish a far-reaching work of good in
our state whose beneficent results will
hn cir,,,I,