The waking thought of the white-ribbon host in Maine can readily be guessed: “God grant us good weather to-day.” What was that but another way of wishing for the best light on this last act of a great drama, only this was no mimic stage, but one on which the measureless hope and uplift of humanity were to be exhibited for all the world to see? Woman’s secret prayer was to be transmuted by spiritual alchemy into manhood’s sturdy resolve; the cherished hope of the gentle was to become the stern decision of the strong; the “cause” was to radiate out from temperance ministry and Band of Hope into the wide, free area of a mighty Commonwealth. Let me give from telegrams, letters, and newspapers, a few pulses out of the people’s heart that day soon after noon:
Be of good cheer, all goes well. My faith claims a majority of fifty thousand.
At nine o’clock a. m., one hour before the voting, the church bells rang out their call for the friends of temperance to assemble and pray. Meetings largely attended, and conducted by the pastors. Ladies went to ward rooms to distribute “Yes” ballots.
A delegation of eight young ladies were present at West Bath with bouquets for all who would vote for the amendment. “Yes,” sixty-six; “No,” one.
One young toper voted the “Yes” ballot and the prohibition ticket straight.
The boys of the Cold Water Army parade to-night with torches to celebrate the victory in Bath. Five hundred and six majority for the amendment. Praise meeting at headquarters.
It was amusing to watch the men in ward five go down stairs to smoke their pipes. They did not like to do this in the presence of the ladies who remained until the close of the polls.
The distributors of the “No” ticket were very scarce. In one ward a fellow passed them for awhile, but felt so lonesome that he gave it up.
A barge, bearing appropriate mottoes, filled with children, was mounted on a wagon, drawn by four black horses, and driven by a well known citizen, from one polling place to another, and the way those young folks sung “For God and Home and Native Land” was a caution to the rummies! Button-hole bouquets were presented to “Yes” voters by the ladies. Ice water was furnished at each polling place by the W. C. T. U. Not a man was arrested for drunkenness or disturbance, and “Wicked Bangor,” which was given up as “sure to go no,” even by the temperance people, counts 1,718 “Yes” against 1,146 “No.” Praise ye the Lord.