The Newark journal., 1908-02-07
DIR. PASCOE'S SPEECH
Intemperance, as Discussed at Meet-
 ing of Law and Order League

Dr. V. L. Pascoe's speech before a recent meeting of the Law and Order League has received much favorabl0 comment, and The Journal publishes it herewith in full:
 Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen- As has been announced by the pastor from the pulpit, by request of certain parties, I would deliver an address on some subject of my own selection. X desire to relieve your embarrassment and disappointent in advance by stat- ing my inability to startle you with the eloquence that should be possessed by one attempting to speak on any subject before an audience of such numbers and culture as appear hero tonight. Of course to those who do not know me, great things might be expected, while to the great majority, 1 feel sure that the broad mantle of charity will prevent criticism.
 In giving brief review of the causes leading to the organization of this Law and Order League. it goes without say ing that they were the illegal sale of whiskey, gambling and vices of vari- ous kinds that always follow in the wake of violating the law in such a manner, as was belived to be practiced in our midst. These things, I may say, were the causes leading to and establishing this League, which, by and through the direction of it's able officers, has accomplished the destruc- tion of the above named vices, and by its further influence has produced a. much better feeling and state of affairs generally than at first appeared possible. Now, after having listened yesterday to a very able address upon the subject of temperance, l take it that few brief remarks on that of in- temperance might not be amiss at this time.
 Intemperance has arrayed before us all the allies of destruction. whether they come from excessive eating, drink ing, acting or talking Intemperance is the home of the glutton, the retreat
 
 lustful: the destroying agent in homes that might otherwise produce stars of intelligence, guiding us upward, on ward and inward to better state of existence. So in it's various ways of exhibiting itself, it inevitably leaves highways broad enough to be disting- uished, and rough enough to be avoided. Some of you may be familiar with the causes leading to the incar- ceration of Frank Wilkins in the peni- tentiary of this state, but Pm sure a great many know of his release on last Christmas day and of him having afterwads written the following poem entitled
 MY LAST GLASS OF RUM Yes, boys, I have cast of the letters Which held me in bondage for years; The curse that has blighted my man.
 hood
 And caused bitter sorrow and tears; Henceforth you will miss at the dram
 shop
 The creature reviled as bum, For l swear by the God that's abov0 l me
 l have taken my last glass of rum Do you ask me the reason? I'll tell you,
 'Tis tale full of heartache and care, Of a fond mother bent with affiiction, Oershadowed with grief and despair, The sweet face is wrinkled and pallid, The dear eyes their luster have lost. The beautiful hair once so shiny Is tinged with the wilderness of frost. Her prayers are ascending to heavens Perfumed with love for her boy, I Who, reckless, debased and nnheeding. Is blighting all filial joy, | With faltering voice full of anguish She pleads with the Father to save And rescue her child, e'er destruction Shall bring him hishonored grave. This is why have broken the shacklea That held me victim for years. 'Tis a pledge that gave to dear mother And is sealed by a river of tears. You will see me no more at the dram. shop:
 That weakness has been overcome, For swear, trusting heaven for gnisks ance,
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