The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-02-15
HELPED STRUGGLE IN MAINE
International |. o. G. T. Contributed
Fund of $1,000

Fund Of $1,000
Following Is a communication from
Merritt B. Morgan of Bennington CIV
ing a further description of the work
OF the international convention of the
Independent )ruer VI Good Templars
at Hamburg, Germany, and also OF
his trip to other points in Europe
All countries reaching out for Pro
hibition of the use of intoxicating liq-
uors for beverage purposes seemed to
realize that the struggle in Maine to
retain constitutional prohibition was
their struggle and when the PROPOSE
ton was made at Hamburg, Germany,
to contribute $1,000 for the Maine con-
test there was no opposition whatever
to It, and when II was adopted three
hearty cheers were given for Maine.
The Germans said their Grand Lodge
would give $125, and the Swedes, Nor.
wegians and Danes all said they
would give similar help. This act OF
the body, and the great interest
shown in the contest in Maine prov
ed the internationally Of the order,
and that Good Templars are one in
heart and sympathy In the great
struggle against a common foe.
Many years ago America gave the
Good Templar Order to the Old
World. Now, we behold our brothers
Of the Old World in the name Of Good
Templary giving their means to help
carry on the fight for prohibition In
our own land, and the sight as our
foreign brethren rose 10 announce
their readiness to give to the needs OF
the cause in our neighboring state Is
one of the many inspiring memories
Of a maryelously successful session.
The election of international officers
caused a good deal Of suppressed ex'
element, but resulted in few chan
ges. Five of the seven elective Off.
GERS we're unanimously reelected.
Twelve countries we're represented
in the new list OF elective and ap'
pointed officers The invitation from
Christiana, Norway. Cor the next SEES
sion, 1914. was accepted. This Is the
Diamond Jubilee year Of the Goou
Templar Order. II having been found
ed in the state of New York in 1851
and II was deemed to be an oppor'
tunity TO direct special attention to
our work, and an occasion for some
special recognition, with a view to
the extension OF the Order. where
possible, TO interest new rembers
v~ftn urlu IN hA ~
to active membership Of some OF the
many who have been suspended. Not
many changes were made in the GER
| emonial work.
The word grand" has been remov
ed from the title OF National Grand
Lodge officers. Mr.. and Mrs. Oliver
OF England on behalf Of several mem
bers were presented with beautiful
silver rose bowl. and bouquet Of
| flowers In commemoratiOn OF theli
silver wedding and bouquet OF mag
nifcent proportions was presented e
the International Templar.
The necessary translation o.
speeches in English. German an(
Scandinavian is at times very tedious
to those attending an Internatlona
for the first time. and even to veter
ans. For the first time series o
odes were printed In the various Ian
guages alongside each other. and thu
all Joined in the singing during tn
ceremonials. The singing was espec
ally hearty. the voices blending beau
tfully. II took some little time 10
those singing English to SLOW down.
to the German time. but they sue
ceeded fairly we'll after a first or 8,
cond attempt. To save time In rea(
ing and translating, each days mil
utes were printed In three language
and taken as read. and as a rule tn
reports were printed and presented 1
three languages. One evening d,
termined effort was made TO reac
the public, when no fewer than fou
teen public temperance meetings wer
held In different parts OF the city q
which the claims OF Good Templar
were ably presented by talented spea
ers, who were noted medical mel
lawyers, statesmen and scientist
from several countries.
AS | have before intimated the &c
mans know the value OF the Pres
Before the sessions commenced. an
each day thereof galley slips" wer
sent to hundreds OF newspapers. A
together. over thirty galley slips wer
sent out to something like 500 paper
and periodicals.. Germany has bee
known as the great beer drinking nj
ton OF the world, but the passin
years are lifting this nation out Of II
beer drinking proclivitles. Fo'
things strike the stronger more tina
, the many gardens. where thousands {
people gather every evening an
spend time until midnight smoking
drinking and eating. while strains {
sweet music float upon the air, an
visitor comes TO the conclusion q
once that Germany IL a great bee
drinking country. and Il undoubtedl
ls, but at the same time one VIII
keeps his eyes open will see the sign
OF wonderful change In the sentln
ent OF the people as compared wit
former times. !, could but note IN
soft drinks, tea, coffee. milk, and len
onade served, while Alcohol Free
signs were found on every hand. an
today there are 10000 Good Templar
In Germany. Their official organ ha
$4,000 subscribers. and the temper
ance reform has the hearty approve
and assistance OF the medical profe.
sion, statesmen, scientists, and IN
Emperor William, and the service