Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/846

 816 TOTAL ABSTINENCE general association of Massachusetts appointed a committee of four ministers and four laymen to cooperate with the committee of the gen- eral assembly of the Presbyterian church and the general association of Connecticut in de- vising measures for the promotion of temper- ance. In 1813 this committee organized the "Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance," which in 1833 changed its name to that of the " Massachusetts Temper- ance Society," under which title it was incor- porated in 1845 and still holds a corporate ex- istence. In 1826 the " American Society for the Promotion of Temperance" was formed in Boston, with Marcus Morton as president. Dr. Justin Edwards of Andover, Mass., be- came the corresponding secretary in 1829, and travelled extensively, preaching total absti- nence and organizing state and local societies. The five annual reports of the society written by him are among the best contributions to the literature of this subject. In 1836 the society became by change of name the "American Temperance Union," with the Rev. Dr. John Marsh as secretary. It was then established in Philadelphia, but in October, 1838, was re- moved to New York. Although total absti- nence was publicly advocated as early as 1820, it was not till many years later that any of the temperance organizations insisted upon this requirement. The object of the Massachusetts society, as set forth in its constitution, was " to discountenance and suppress the too free use of ardent spirits." Neither the American temperance society nor its auxiliaries opposed the use of wine, cider, or malt liquors. Total abstinence from distilled spirits, except when prescribed as a medicine, and moderation in the use of the less intoxicating drinks, were the only general requirements. Many of the earlier advocates of temperance, including Mathew Carey, encouraged the culture of the grape and the use of wine as a preventive of intemperance. Dr. Marsh, in his " Fifty Years' Tribute to the Cause of Temperance," says: " The first reformers built a brewery in Bos- ton for the accommodation of members of the temperance society." Even the first national temperance convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May, 1833, and was composed of 400 delegates from 21 states, including a large number of clergymen of all denomina- tions, simply took the ground that " the traffic in ardent spirits as a drink, and the use of it as such, are morally wrong, and ought to be abandoned throughout the world." Nothing was said of total abstinence from other alco- holic beverages. At this convention the " Uni- ted States Temperance Union" was formed, consisting of the officers of the American tem- perance society of Boston, 23 state societies, and more than 7,000 minor associations. Its object was, by diffusing information and exert- ing a moral influence, to extend the principles of temperance throughout the world. In 1833 the Massachusetts society adopted a new con- stitution with a pledge of total abstinence. In 1836 the state society of Pennsylvania, formed in 1827, adopted the pledge of "total absti- nence from all that can intoxicate." Demand was now made in all the states that higher ground should be taken; yet few were pre- pared to include malt liquors in the pledge, believing that beer was necessary and bene- ficial. The second national convention was held at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1836, when the name of the United States temperance union was changed to that of the "American Tem- perance Union," with the design of admitting members from all parts of North America. The convention was attended by 348 delegates from 19 states and territories and from Can- ada. The most marked feature of the pro- ceedings was the adoption of the principle of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as beverages. One of the earliest state societies was that of Connecticut, organized in May, 1829. In the same year state temperance so- cieties were formed in New Hampshire, Ver- mont, New York, Virginia, and Illinois. In May, 1831, there were 19 state societies, with 2,200 known local societies formed on the plan of total abstinence, and embracing more than 170,000 pledged members. In 1832 the war department abolished the " grog " ration, sub- stituting coffee and sugar. As early as 1832 the license question began to be agitated, and a strong public opinion against license laws was soon formed. In 1837-'8 a bill introduced in the Maine legislature to repeal all license laws of the state, and to forbid the sale of ardent spirits as a beverage in less quantity than 28 gallons, was lost by one vote in the senate. In Tennessee a law was passed repealing all acts licensing tippling houses, and making the retail- ing of spirits a misdemeanor punishable by fine at the discretion of the courts. In Massachu- setts the sale of spirituous liquors in less quan- tity than 15 gallons, except by physicians and apothecaries, was forbidden. Laws were also passed in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, either restricting the sale or leav- ing it to a vote of the people of each town whether liquor selling should be licensed. The third national convention, composed of 560 del- egates, assembled in July, 1841, and resolved "that the license laws are at variance with all true political economy, and one of the chief supports of intemperance." Large conven- tions in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massa- chusetts declared against granting licenses, and in favor of providing by fine and imprison- ment for the effectual suppression of the traffic. In 1846 New York voted against license by a large majority. Vermont gave a majority of 8,000 against license, and many towns in New Hampshire voted against it. In Rhode Island every town but three, and in Connecticut two thirds of the towns, declared in favor of "no license." In Pennsylvania 18 counties voted on the question, and generally against license. In Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wis-