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in pencil at top By Robert Everett Jr. New Year talk on Temperance

Mr President and fellow citizens,

  It would not become one so young as myself, --- the presence of such able advocates of the cause to occupy the time of this vast assembly in making a regular speech.  I will say but a few words and leave the stand for those who can address you proffitably.
  God has been good to us.  We behold the dawn of another New Year's day.  Some who were with us on the last Anniversary have heard their Father's summons and have gone home.  They labor with us still in promoting the glory of their Maker and the best interests of their fellows, but in another and a higher sphere.  We are still left by the All Wise to carry on this enterprise which our departed brothers commenced.  The old year has fled forever.  While our hearts are made sad at the funeral of the old year, a new year greats us with its infant smiles.  Let the dead bury their dead.  Let the scenes that are past be hid in the rubbish of their own collecting.  To us the glorious future unfolds new beauties urging us forward to fresh endeavors.  
  A solemn time is it to us where the wheels of time bring about a mark in their revolution like that on the spinners real, bidding us pause and reflect.  Alas how have we misimproved the past.  But to spend much time is mianing [moaning] and pining over our misfortunes would be useless.  Our watchword is on On to the conflict yet from past experience we should learn wisdom where and how to direct our endeavors.
  As we are met together several societies of us to promote this reform which has added more temporal blessings to the human family than any other enterprize that ever saw the face of the world would like to make one suggestion for the consideration of every one present as to our future's course.  Year after year, have we labored