A pertinent illustration of the force of this statement is the speech of Senator Frye, made at the Portland meeting.  The Senator confessed that he had not been familiar with the history of the American Missionary Association, that he had been reading its Annual Reports, and making himself acquainted with its work.  Thereupon, out of what he had learned, he constructed a speech that was, in every way, worthy of the Statesman that he is.  We shall be much mistaken if Senator Frye does not find occasion to use the knowledge obtained in the study of our Association’s history in some of his speeches or debates in the U.S.  Senate.

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The citizens of Macon, Ga., gave Jefferson Davis a rousing reception on the occasion of his recent visit to that city.  As a souvenir of his welcome, they presented him with 126 bottles of wine, thirty-three bottles of whiskey, fourteen bottles of brandy, and eleven boxes of cigars.  If these gifts suggest anything in regard to the habits of Jefferson Davis, we can readily see that he was not a fit candidate for having the ladies put upon his lapel a blue ribbon.  No wonder he rushed into print to assure the public that he was not in favor of total abstinence.  A campaign in behalf of prohibition would have a hard time in the region of Macon.

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Evan P. Howell and Henry W. Grady are among the owners of the Atlanta Constitution.  During the recent campaign on the liquor question in Atlanta these gentlemen were on opposite sides, so that the papers reported that while Mr. Grady was making a speech in behalf of prohibition in one part of the town, Capt.  Howell was making a speech against it in another place.  Two of Mr. Grady’s speeches have been published in pamphlet form, and they are worthy of that gentleman’s reputation as an orator.  THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY is glad to find Mr. Grady on the right side of this question, and regrets that prohibition failed to carry the day in the election.

The colored people held the balance of power.  We praised them last year when, using that balance, they carried the city for temperance.  We regret that this year they have used it against temperance.  There is no use of concealing the fact.  Ignorant people cannot be depended upon to take the right side of any question.  It will be a mere happening if they do.  The election in Atlanta gives additional emphasis to the necessity of our work in the South.

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White ladies so far overcame their caste prejudices as to join their colored sisters in the campaign for prohibition.  Together they prayed and worked.  Many of the white people were disgusted at this exhibition of social equality.  These white ladies have taken a step in the right direction, and, when all their white sisters join them, reform will be well advanced.  May the day be hastened!