Great Temperance Festival

     “Yesterday afternoon the large Hall of the Union in the Cooper Institute was filled to repletion by an eager and interesting audience of children, who had gathered together from all parts of the city to listen to speeches and songs, and recitations, and above all, to take the temperance pledge.  By 2 o’clock, the hour set for the meeting to commence, very few seats were vacant, and before the meeting broke up over 2,000 children had been turned away from the doors, in consequence of the immense crowd.  We understand that not for ten years past has so large a number of children been gathered together in this city.

    While waiting for the Chairman, Mayor Wood, of Brooklyn, Mr. John L. Revell, the master spirit of the occasion, talked to the children on all kinds of subjects, and kept them quiet.  The exercises were opened with prayer by Prof. Mackey; after which Mr. Morrell sat down to the piano and led the willing voices of the children in ‘My Country, it is of Thee,’ the singing of the hymn producing an impressive effect.

    Master Daniel Boone, from the Royal Colisseum [sic], London, was then introduced, and delivered an address entitled ‘The Band of Hope.’  The young orator, whose father was killed in the present war, made an extraordinary impression upon his youthful audience, who listened to his eloquent address with deep attention.  Master Henry Hayden sang a song, and Master Americus Harrison recited ‘The United States Flag in 1863.’  All of these young gentlemen received a full meed of applause.

    Mr. Ebough then addressed the children on the evils of intemperance, and the necessity of refraining from strong drink.  A comic duet, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Brown,’ was then sung by Master and Miss Boone, to the great delight of the juveniles.

    Prof. Matheson addressed the gathering, and said that he had not seen so large an audience within the walls of the Cooper Institute since the well-known John Brown meeting.  He was glad to see Mayor Wood, of Brooklyn, in the chair, for it showed he took an interest in the temperance cause.  The speaker compared the effects of moderate drinking to the gradual winding of weak threads round a man’s body: if the man chose he could break loose at first, but if he neglected the accumulating meshes, it would prove too strong for him.

    Mayor Wood said that, as he had been introduced as ‘the Mayor of Brooklyn,’ he wished to say how he came to be Mayor.  It was because he was always a temperance boy and man.  He had never tasted liquor until he was wounded and taken prisoner; the rebels gave him a drink of whisky to revive him.  He thought that if the boys would make up their minds not to drink whisky or brandy until a rebel gave it to them they would be very safe.  Mayor Wood also read a letter from Mr. P.T. Barnum, who could not attend, but who sent his curiosities for the edification of the children.

    Lucius Hart, Esq., came forward and asked how many of the children belonged to Sunday School, and he was answered by a forrest [sic] of uplifted hands.  The speaker then went on to talk about temperance in a happy and unaffected manner, closing his short address by leading the children in ‘Jesus is Our Friend,’ “The Saviour is Our Captain,’ and he got up a tremendous burst of enthusiasm by proposing ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’  This was sung by the excited audience with great enthusiasm.  Handkerchiefs were waved, cheer after cheer rent the air, and it was difficult for the gentlemen to restore order.

    Barnum’s curiosities were then introduced – the giantess and Circassian girl, who were viewed with astonishment by most of the children.

    Addresses were afterward made by J.B. Merwin, Esq., Mr. Wells and Capt. Hart, of the Metropolitan Police.  Several songs and glees were also sung, and the meeting closed by a large number of the audience signing the pledge.”