Massachusetts Prohibition Convention.
By S. N. Haskell
On Tuesday, February 5, we had the pleasure of attending the Massachusetts State Prohibition Convention at Tremont Temple, Boston. There were delegates representing the temperance cause from all parts of the State, and there were also representative men and women from some of the Western States. Hon. Mr. Finch, who has been laboring successfully in the State during this winter in behalf of the prohibition movement, was present. Many sound and practical speeches were made, The object of the Convention was to take steps to present a petition to the Legislature that a law might be enacted prohibiting the manufacture and sale of liquors in Massachusetts. They saw the122necessity of laying aside all party spirit and uniting upon the grand question of temperance, in order to be successful in that movement. They discarded the idea that because a man was a Republican he must be put in office, or because he was a Democrat he should be a candidate; neither was their object to originate a new party. But here is a moral evil, a stain upon the land, a snare of the devil, to take the youth and all that can be induced and lead them in the path of destruction. Therefore they called for men who saw this evil, who felt it must be removed, to act in harmony upon this one great question, irrespective of party spirit, either politically or ecclesiastically. There were many Vice-Presidents chosen, and these Vice-Presidents were representative men of different parties and denominations. One was a Roman Catholic priest, who upon this occasion made an eloquent address touching the evils of intemperance. He acknowledged with sadness that many of the people whom he represented were not prohibitionists, but he was decidedly in favor of a law, and then enforcing it, that ardent spirits might not be sold so as to be used as a beverage in any place. The zeal and manner upon which they proposed to unite to meet the evil were certainly commendable, and we could endorse nearly every word said and every measure adopted for the removal of this moral evil which is bringing such terrible results in this Christian land. One point which was made in the Convention was to educate the people to see where we are drifting. Place before them reading matter. Hon. John B. Finch related instances where all the addresses of individuals opposed to prohibition in an entire community were secured, and certain temperance periodicals sent them for a year. In one case there were thus secured nearly four hundred addresses of persons who were opposed to this movement, and the result was very favorable, as many of them were led to subscribe and take their stand on the right side of the question. This illustrated the importance of educating the people. After witnessing their zeal and earnestness, their wisdom in laying aside the party spirit and uniting their forces upon the particular point which they had before them, I was led to reflect upon the nature of our special work, and the wisdom that we manifest to accomplish the same. Let our leading men be as wise in laying their plans to present the truth before the people as they were to carry their point; let our people manifest as much zeal as the delegates manifested on this occasion, and we will see far more accomplished than we have ever yet seen in a brief period of time. There are ten thousand people who should become subscribers for our periodicals, especially for the Signs of the Times and Good Health, within the next three months, who now know nothing of our views. We are doing nothing in comparison to what we might do. Every plan should be devised that can be to get the truth before the people. It would seem, when we look at our present feeble efforts, in comparison with the importance and magnitude of the work, that some power unseen paralyzes our energies. It was a frequent expression of those delegates at the Convention, that moral suasion was good in its place, but the time had come for decided action, that their sons and daughters should not have the temptations placed before them in saloons and liquor dens. They were determined. We should be no less determined to carry forward the work that God has committed to us. When they called for means, pledges were taken in sums varying from a few cents to a thousand dollars. Finally one man proposed to give $5.00 to every other person that would give the same amount. He had pledged liberally before; this gave the pledges a new impetus, and in a short time they raised over a thousand dollars, in view of having their sums doubled. Another important thing I was led to contemplate: Should they turn their attention to the Sunday movement, and pursue the same course to carry the Sunday Law, manifest the same zeal and energy which they undoubtedly will do in a very brief space of time, they will include every first-day denomination, and many of every political party and every sect which exists. May the Lord give us wisdom to see where we are, and prepare for the battle which lies just before us. S. N. HASKELL.