The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-04-11
Hon. Neal Dow


| Neal Dow was so fortunate as to
have his lot cast in pleasant places.
He came in 1904 to bless the hearts
and lives of English parents who
made their home in Portland, Maine,
the State which has had a prohibi-
tory law longer than any other State
in the union.
A splendid argument for putting
things that are harmful out of the
reach of people was made by him
when only six years of age. His
| father possessed a large, old-fashion-
ed silver watch, so large that it hung
on the wall instead of being in his
pocket. Out of childish curiosity
the "ticker" was taken down and
scrutinized 10! it dropped,
suppose, and broke. A rebuke fol-
lowed. Neal then told his father
that the watch. should have been
Kept out of his reach. What better
argument can be advanced than that
relative to the putting aside-even
out of our reach--a1l things harm
full?
Let us not forget the social side
of Mr.. Dow's life. While a young
man he affiliated himself with a So
cial institution called the volunteer
fire department. At one of their
banquets, a man who was not a
party to Mr.. Dow's excellent temper
ance views proposed this toast,
Brandy and water, water for the
fire and brandy for the iremen. -
Chief Dow responded wittily and, at
the close of his speech, made this
statement, Brandy and water; water
extinguished the fire and brandy the
fremen." Influenced by this godly
man, the fire department finally ban
ished wine from their spreads.
Long before this, however, Mr..
Dow and his sister put their veto
upon it's use at their table. It was
as common too, for folk in that day
to serve wine at their meals as it
was to have chocolate and coffee.
Be it said to his credit that Mr..
Dow was at all times the friend to
those who needed strong friend.
Ever a friend to those who suffered
most because of the dreadful use Of
alcoholic liquor was he. A striking
incident regarding this is told OF him.
An acquaintance came to him once
and asked him to use his efforts to
get a liquor dealer to refuse to sell
her husband strong drink. Mr.. Dow
went to the man and made his re-
quest known unto him with the re-
suit that some facts, which should
not have existed, were thrust in his
teeth. We learn that Mr.. Dow said
in regard to the occurrence: Sur
prised, disappointed, indignant 1 re-
piled to the effect that sooner or later
l would see that he and all like him
were driven from the community un-
less they abandoned their Infamous
business. The incident affected me
with vital force. AS I reflected upon
it as only one of the thousands OF
cases into which it might be multi
piled, with a product Of misery to so
many helpless women and innocent
children, I became more strongly
convinced that my duty was clear.
I resolved to try and discharge it.
From that day I have followed it
with such strength Of body, mind
and purpose as God has given to me-"
Mr.. Dow was a temperance work
er and speaker not only in the United
States but in England also. Strong
in the fixed belief that total absti-
nence was right he set himself to
fight the -rum-legally.
Miss Willard thought it would be
an appropriate thing for the National
w. C. T. U. to celebrate his birthday.
We now commemorate the anniver-
sary of his birth as Prohibition Rally
day. .,..
What a priceless heritage did this
grand old man leave to the rising
generations! b. l.. b.