OLD WASHINGTONIANS-SONS OF TEMPERANCE-TEMPLE OF HONOR-WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION-LIQUOR AGENCY SYSTEM-OTHER TEMPERANCE AGENCIES-THE SITUATION-AGITATION OF THE SUBJECT-REFLECTIONS.

At the time when Delaware County began to be populated, and for a long period antecedent thereto, the use of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was rather the rule than the exception in the regulations of society. Drinking was a custom that had come down from preceding generations with the sanction of the masses-indeed, the church, at least some of the branches of it, recognized, even encouraged the custom as essential to the maintenance of good order and propriety. With this early custom, however, the phase of drunkenness seldom manifesting itself, was less common and less reprehensible-viewed in the light of its effect upon the victims of indulgences-than at present. Then, the choice liquors of the day were found in almost every sideboard or cupboard, the presence of which was deemed and observed as the only medium through which a visitor could be received into good society, according to the accepted interpretation of the times. This method of interpretation was, only modified by the agitation consequent upon the abuse of the liberty under the privileges of which the frequent use of intoxicants obtained. Moral suasion, so called, embodied the chief element of the agitation and was calculated to induce recognition of the question in comparison with the moral obligations of each individual to every other with whom-he or she might come in contact in the drama of life. At first, the agitators consisted of those persons in whom the moral idea predominated, whose stock in trade was the reprehensible feature of the excessive use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, without considering the matter in any other light than as a violation of the moral law. These agitators often acquired notoriety as religious zealots, self-constituted committees charged with the important function of assisting in the reconstruction of individual and public economy. In many instances, these functions were faithfully performed with results worthy of the effort expended; in others, however, the influence for good was scarcely perceptible, and among others, upon whom these influences were brought to bear, persons not given to the recognition of the rights of others as paramount to their own, the effect was not unfrequently to induce greater excesses as an exhibition of stubbornness in the maintenance of the boasted privilege of "personal liberty" to do as he pleased. Persons of this latter sort were not unfrequently met with in the earlier periods; even at the present day, like examples are found who lose their personal liberty in their disability to exercise- even the right to be sober. At a later period the representatives of religious organizations wore clothed with the prerogative of presenting in the name of the church, the arguments illustrative of the religious views of temperance and of forming societies for the more effective promulgation of the doctrines of moral reform, temperance being made a specialty. Some of the church organizations sanctioned and even encouraged the formation of temperance societies as auxiliaries, instrumentalities for the inducement to membership in the church itself. All these agencies and others were brought into requisition in furthering these legitimate objects of reform, and unitedly they produced a change in public opinion concerning the great questions in issue.

The "Washingtonian" movement was, perhaps, the first regularly organized effort designed to suppress the use of intoxicants as a beverage, even temperately, claiming that indulgence even to a limited extent was dangerous, especially to those whose appetite had a craving for such excitants which, when gratified, exercised an unyielding control over the victim, notwithstanding the dictates of a mature judgment to the contrary. These organizations spread over the entire community and became a mighty power in the land, in the face of the most formidable opposition. Through its agency a great reform was wrought and the public mind was thoroughly imbued with the spirit that actuated the movement. Leading men and women made common cause with the prime movers, and by example and influence exerting themselves to their utmost in the interest of sobriety. Societies were organized in town and country. Lecturers were in the field cultivating all available ground and accomplished much, oftentimes availing them-selves of the confessions of the "reformed" as an argument too potent to be gainsaid. The "reformed," also, were made valuable auxiliaries in inducing others far gone in intemperance, by a comparison of experiences in the sin with the means of reformation and the beneficial results of total abstinence. The existence of branches of this society in Delaware County is a well-remembered fact, but the records of their operations and the active agents engaged in them cannot now be accurately recalled. This movement had its origin at Baltimore, Md., and was the outgrowth of the labors of Dr. George B. Cheever, of Salem, Mass., and others, designed to concentrate effort for the common good of all, - indulging their appetites in strong drink. The following details are copied from "Our First Century," and give a fair and accurate outline of the circumstances incident to the organization of this first temperance society or order:

"It appears that six individuals, who were in the habit of associating together, were seated, as usual, on Friday evening, April 2, 1840, in Chase's tavern, in Liberty street, Baltimore, where they were accustomed to meet almost every evening, for the purpose of enjoying mutually all the benefits and conveniences which that establishment and each other's society could possibly afford. These were William K. Mitchell, tailor; John F. Hoss, carpenter; David Anderson, blacksmith; George Steers, blacksmith; James McCurley, coach-maker, and Archibald Campbell silver-platter. A clergyman, who was preaching in the city at that time, had given public notice that on that evening he would deliver a discourse on the subject of temperance. Upon this lecture, the conversation of the six comrades presently turned; whereupon it was agreed that four of them should go and hear it and report accordingly. So, after the sermon, they returned and conversed on its merits for some time, when one of the company remarked: 'After all, temperance is a good thing.' 'Oh,' said the host, 'they are all a parcel of hypocrites.' 'Oh, yes,' replied McCurley, 'I'll be bound for you, its your interest to cry them down, anyhow. I tell you what, boys, let's have a society and make Bill Mitchell President.' 'Agreed,' cried they. The idea seemed to take wonderfully, and the more they talked and laughed over the idea, the more they were pleased with it. After parting that night, they did not all meet again until Sunday, then they took a stroll, and, between walking and treating, they managed to arrange the whole matter to their entire satisfaction. It is agreed, that one of them should draw up a pledge, and that the whole party should sign it the next day. Accordingly, on Monday morning, Mitchell wrote the following pledge: 'We, whose names are annexed, desirous of forming a society for our mutual benefit, and to guard against a pernicious practice which is injurious to our health, standing and families, do pledge ourselves as gentlemen, that we will not drink any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider'."

"He went with this, about 9 o'clock, to Anderson's house, and found him still in bed, sick from the effects of his Sunday adventures. He arose, however, dressed himself, and, after hearing the pledge read, went down to his shop with his friends for pen and ink, and there did himself the honor of being the first man to sign. After obtaining the names of the remaining four, the worthy President finished this noble achievement by adding his own. On the evening of that day they met at the residence of one of their number and duly formed themselves into a society, with the usual officers. Little did these six associates know of the fame and achievements they were molding. Having thus got under way, they next turned their attention to obtaining members and devising means to defray the expenses of their meetings; it was therefore agreed that each man should bring a man and that every one should pay 25 cents upon becoming a member, and twelve and a half cents monthly thereafter. The next debate was as to the name they should give to their society. A number were proposed, among them that of Jefferson, when it was finally agreed that the President and Secretary should be a committee to draft a constitution and select a name. This they did, giving to the association the name of 'Washington Temperance Society', in honor of the father of his country, and were subsequently known as Washingtonians."

"Great and wonderful were the results destined to flow from the 'Washington Temperance Society,' thus started by those six inebriates in the city of Baltimore. At their second meeting, they had two new members, but in a comparatively short time the society increased so much that it became a question how they could employ their time so as to make their meetings interesting. The President thereupon suggested that each member should rise in his place and give his experience, and by way of commencement, he arose and told what he had passed through in the last fifteen years, and the advantages he had derived from signing the total abstinence pledge. This was the origin of that most popular and efficient method which the Washingtonian society and all its auxiliaries adopted for giving interest and effect to their gatherings. Signers were thus obtained, and the attention of the public was attracted, so that a class was reached which otherwise might not have been affected by the labors of those other good men who had for so many years been engaged in promoting temperance in a different way."

"By Christmas, in 1840, the reform had become so popular that thousands had flocked to its standard, and enrolled themselves as the friends of temperance. The wave had swept onward and tidings of the great reformation reached distant cities. On invitation from New York for a delegation of five men to hold experience meetings every day for one week in that city, Messrs. Hawkins, Pollard, Shaw, Casey and Mitchell proceeded to that place, and there held the first Washingtonian Missionary meeting ever known in the United States. It was a type of that success which was to accompany the new system in behalf of temperance, for, during each of the speeches, multitudes came forward and signed the pledge, and, taken together, such a scene had never before been witnessed in New York. But the most powerful among all the advocates of Washingtonian reform was Mr. John H. W. Hawkins, who rose from the very gutter of drunkenness to the rostrom of impassioned eloquence in advocacy of reform and with prodigious success. The peculiar circumstances of his history had an almost over-powering effect on his own feelings whenever he spoke, and his audiences listened now breathlessly and anon with uncontrollable demonstrations of enthusiasm. He was a man of plain, good, commonsense, with a peculiar sincerity about him, and an easy way of working up his hearers to a state of sympathy with him. He would at one time assume the melting mood and picture the scenes of a drunkard's home-and that home his own-and the fountains of generous feelings in many hearts gushed forth in tears; and again, in a moment, as he related some ludicrous story, those tearful eyes glistened with delight, sighs changed to hearty shouts, and long faces were convulsed with broad grins and glorious smiles. Drunkards and outcasts of the worst type that swarm in the festering purlieus and penetralia of New York were reclaimed, and such was the overwhelming power of the movement that, finally, immense meetings were held in the park. In Boston, too, the old cradle of liberty rocked with tumultuous enthusiasm for independence from the tyrant of strong drink."

The popularity of this new organization, as shown by the influence exerted by it in checking the progress of the current of intemperance, so disastrous to life and life's purposes, in the cities of the East having traversed the vast field there presented, and lifted thousands from the slough of degradation into which the habitual use of alcoholic beverages that drown them, gradually moved Westward conquering and to conquer. The first introduction of the order into this portion of Indiana was about the year 1843, some three years or more subsequent to its most auspicious commencement in the Monumental City. Here, as elsewhere, its introduction was hailed by the friends of good order and reform with heartfelt satisfaction; by those, however, who from fear of being deprived of the freedom guaranteed by the great charter of American liberty, marshaled themselves into the ranks of the drunken and dissolute of society-with defiant sneers or silent indifferences. Notwithstanding some of these adverse, manifestations, the meetings were well attended and the number who signed the prescribed pledge on their own behalf and for the benefit of others was great compared with the aggregate of our population. The societies organized here continued to flourish, exerting an influence for good for a number of years, the effects of which are observable in the manners and characteristics of our people to-day. Though the societies so formed, in the course of time through a want of the vitalizing energy consequent upon continued success, disbanded, yet the spirit of the teachings remained, and the good results obtained continued also-tangible evidences that the work had not been in vain-monuments marking the former existence of a. movement destined to humanize mankind.

SONS OF TEMPERANCE

The work thus forwarded by the molding hands of the Washingtonians, constituted a safe foundation of an order possessing less of the public promiscuous enthusiasm characterizing the earlier organization, but promising and foreshadowing a working system not subject to the gaze of the outer world with secrets behind the vail of the most attractive significance, beautiful symbology, representing the prime virtues, "love, purity and fidelity." The beneficent order was known as the Sons of Temperance. It was a legitimate outgrowth of the Washingtonian system, preserving most or all of its attractive features omitting those not well received and adding new ones calculated to interest, instruct and sustain the members; while cultivating temperance as the cardinal element, embellishing the ceremonies with the chaste and elegant lessons of Christian duty and obligations. A brief reference to the date and circumstances of its Origin and development will not be out of place in this connection. Touching this matter, we copy the following from the report of Luke Hassert, Grand Scribe of the National Division of the order, prepared and submitted by him, pursuant to a resolution of that body, on the 17th of June, 1844:

"On the 29th of September, 1842, sixteen persons engaged in the temperance cause, believing that an institution was called for, based upon the strictest virtue, morality and sobriety, affording mutual aid in seasons of sickness and distress, met at Teetotaller's Hall, 71 Division street, New York, and organized the order of the Sons of Temperance, adopted a constitution, and took other preliminary measures to commence active operation. So well pleased were they with the plan proposed, that they entered in it with an ardor seldom witnessed.

The constitution and principles were extensively circulated through the country, by means of the Organ (a newspaper devoted to the good cause of temperance) and an application for a charter to open a division in the city of Newark, N. J., was received ere our order was a month old. As there was not a sufficient number of brothers legally constituted to form the Grand Division, and as the power to grant charters and perform other functions appertaining to that body was called for, New York Division No. 1 (the original, and at that time the only Division of the order) appointed a delegation, consisting of Daniel H. Sands, E. L. Snow, John W. Oliver, James Bale, Thomas Edgerley, Evan Griffith and Francis W. Wolfe, to act as a Grand Division pro tem. Thus constituted, that body went into operation December 10, 1842, on which occasion the charter for Newark Division No. 1, of New Jersey, was granted; and, on the 15th of the same month, the division was instuted by the grand officers. On December 15, a charter was granted for Union Division No. 2, and, on the 30th, a charter for Friendship Division No.3, both of New York City.

These being now the constitutional number of patriarchs and associates to form the Grand Division proper, January 9,1843, the organization existing under the resolution of New York Division No. 1, above referred to was dissolved, and the Grand Division of the State of New York duly organized. The following were the officers elected: Daniel H. Sands, G. W. P.; John P. Joralemon, G. W. A; John W. Oliver, G. Scribe; Alexander Young, G. T.; Evan Griffith, G. Chaplain; A. L. West, G. Conductor; William Tate, G. Sentinel.

From January 9, 1843, to January 8,1844, twenty-eight other divisions were instituted in, and in the vicinity of the city of New York. At that date, the Grand Division of the State of New Jersey was chartered by the Grand Division of New York, acting as the grand fountainhead of the United States, and was regularly instituted by the grand Officers on the 25th." (Page 158)

WESTERN CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

This auxiliary to the temperance movement in Delaware County, was organized during the last week in April 1875, by Mrs. Julia A. Aveline, of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Dr. Harvey and Mrs. Noe, of Indianapolis. The Distric Vice President, Mary H. Rogers. On Thursday forenoon, a committee on county organization, appointed, made the following report of Township Vice Presidents: Washington Township, William Woodring; Harrison, N. J. Morgan; Mount Pleasant, W.H. Fertich; Salem, Michael Paul; Union, P. Keplinger; Center, T. H. Roberts; Hamilton, John Minton; Monroe, William Roes; Niles, Benjamin F. Smith; Delaware, H. J. Lockhart; Liberty, Mrs. E. Graham; Perry, Z. W. Cecil.

The sphere of this organization, it will be seen, was the combination of the township with the county effort by popularizing the working method; go as to reach those classes of society not otherwise so readily affected in behalf of sobriety and good order. Without records the proceedings had from time to time in extending the influence designed to be exerted, we have been unable to give further details of what has been accomplished in this department of the work.

THE MURPHY MOVEMENT.

Among the most popular and perhaps the most effective results following from the operations of the "Christian Temperance Union," that known as the "Murphy Movement" entitled to take rank with the most important that have been presented for the consideration of the masses of society as this time constituted. An excellent presentation of the facts incidental to the introduction of this organization among our people, is found in the following extracts from the report of the President of the Christian Temperance Union of Delaware County, published in the Muncie Times of December 27, 1877:

"The Murphy movement was inaugurated in the city of Muncie and Delaware County, by a few individuals, in fact, the initiatory step was taken in the good Templars Lodge-Room, where a committee was appointed to invite the Timmony brothers, who were than at Union City, to visit Muncie and hold a series of meetings. The committee, however, invited that old veteran in the temperance cause, Col. John W. Ray, of Indianapolis, who came and started the 'Red Ribbon' movement on the evening of the 16th of May last. About two hundred signed the Red Ribbon pledge upon that occasion. The next evening, by a unanimous vote the Murphy pledge was substituted, and the Murphy movement as it was then and is still known, was vigorously set in motion."

"After a series of nightly meetings continuing near three weeks, it was deemed advisable to establish a permanent organization. This organization was effected Friday evening, June 1, by the adoption of the constitution of the National Christian Temperance Union, and the election of permanent officers. At the time your present officers were elected, the number of members in the city was, in round numbers, 1,800 Meetings had been held at Cowan's Station, Yorktown, Mount Zion and West Chapel, aggregating about four hundred more members. Since the permanent organization, meetings have been held at New Burlington, Eaton, Wheeling, Selma and Daleville, at all of which places unions have been formed, and, as far as known, a large, increase of numbers has been made to the original number. The aggregate number enrolled at the original meetings at these places, was a little rising of 500. Prof. James Montgomery held several meetings at a schoolhouse in Mount Pleasant Township, known as Mount Nebo, and enrolled over one hundred pledged members. The membership in the city at this time is 2,310, and about three thousand eight hundred in the county. For the receipts and expenditures of the union, you are respectfully referred to the report of your Treasurer. Receipts, $123.40; expenditures, $123.40."

"In the month of August, a committee, with Judge March as Chairman, was appointed to mature and submit a basis for the establishment of a 'Holly-Tree Inn,' or reading-room for the use and benefit of the young members of the union and the public generally."

As a matter of reflection for temperance people and tax-payers, also a few figures showing the number of saloons in Delaware County, the number of convicts in the state prison; the cost of criminal prosecution, and the amount paid for the support of paupers during the years 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876, may not be amiss. On the 1st of January, 1873, there were four saloons in the county and five convicts in the State prison The amount paid for criminal prosecutions during the year was $1,166.80, and for the support of paupers, $5,183.58. On the 1st day of July 1874, there were fifteen saloons; convicts in the penitentiary, seven; paid for criminal prosecution, $1,169.04 paid for support of paupers, $6,239.03. On the lst of July 1876, there were five saloons; convicts in the penitentiary, six; cost of criminal prosecutions, $2,475.32; paid for support of paupers, $6,217.14.

The greatest cost for prosecution of criminals was in 1876, which we conceive was the legitimate harvest of the seed sown by the eleven saloons of 1875. In 1878, when there were four saloons, the seed sown by them produced a crop of criminal prosecutions that cost but 3929.15, showing most clearly that the greater the number of saloons, the greater will be the number of criminals and the cost of criminal prosecutions.

At a meeting of the union Sunday afternoon, December 11, 1877, the committee on by-laws, submitted a report, which was adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing six Months: D. R. Pershing, President; T. J. Sample, D. V. Buchanan, Vice president, Walter L. Davis, Secretary; L. A. Kirkwood and B. B. Allen, Assistants; J.T. Wills, Special: Lloyd Wilcoxon, Treasure; William Lynn, Chorister; Miss Isadore Moorehouse and A. W. Clancy, Assistants, Thomas Brelsford, J T Wills, George Feathers, James Mitchell, John Ludlow, L. T. Wilson, Theodore Walling, Mrs. C. W. Moore and Miss Ida Elliot, Executive Committee.

The "Holly-Tree Inn," to which reference was made in the report of the President of the Christian Temperance Union, in a preceding paragraph, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies to the purposes for which it was intended, on Tuesday evening February 26, 1878, at 7:30-o'clock. D. R. Pershing made the opening address defining the utility of the organization the sphere of its operations and an outline of the steps leading to its institution as a part of the effective machinery of the temperance movement.

-------------- Surnames: Day, Budd, Swain, Case, Hathaway, Lynn, Klein, Cason, Jackson, Heath, Miller, McIlvain, Carpenter, Snyder, Feathers, Crosfield

GOOD TEMPLARS.

In 1861, Mrs. Amanda Way, D. G. W. C. T., of Winchester, Ind, effected an organization of the order of Good Templars. The organization was perfected in the courthouse in this place, and readily acquired popularity among the masses, many of the leading citizens becoming prominent members, active in extending its influence among the people in anticipation of the good effects upon society at large. Among those most active in the movement were Dr. Budd, Job Swain, David Case, Mrs. D. Hathaway William Lynn, Mrs. A. M. Klein, David Cason and William Jackson. Its influence was fully to the expectations of its warmest advocates, continuing to be a power in the land for the maintenance of, good order; by keeping in subjection the promoters of intemperance and disorder. Thus it continued on the even tenor of its way for a period of about ten years, when the confidence inspired by its presence and example began to wane, and, in an opportune moment, the organization ceased to exist. During the period of its prosperity, an excellent organ had been purchased as a promoter of harmony by the agency of the music it imparted. This instrument, when the order disbanded, was presented to the Methodist Episcopal Church, Florence Chapel, in Anthonytown, this county, and subsequently, when the house of worship of that society was destroyed by fire, something more than a year ago, it was consumed in the common conflagration. The specific name of this society was the "Broad-Ax Temperance Lodge," so named after a prominent lecturer who had come here about the time the lodge was founded, and delivered a series of very popular and effective lectures on the subject. This lecturer, from the peculiarities of his method in treating the subject of intemperance, and the violations of law incident to its indulgences, received the significant cognomen of "Broad-Ax." For many years the lodge maintained a distinguished reputation in the sphere of its operations in 1872, about the time the lodge was overtaken by an indisposition to longer labor with combined effort in the chosen cause, its meetings were held in the courthouse.

The present order of Good Templers was organized in Simpson Chapel, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the 15th of October 1875. The prime mover in this new organization was Frederick W. Heath, who circulated a petition and secured the necessary signers and subscriptions to secure the re-establishment of the order in this city. He labored indefatigably and successfully, as the institution of the new lodge referred to fully attests. Their places of meeting continued for a time to be in the church, from which place it was moved to the old I. O.O. F. Hall. Here they continued to meet until March 1879, when, having secured the excellent hall in the opera house, they moved to and have since occupied those premises.

The following are the present officers: W. F. McIlvain, W. C. T.; F. Carpenter, W. V. T.; George Ludlow, W. S.; Kate Powers, W. C. T.; Marion Snyder, W. M.; Rosa Miller, W. I. G.; Maggie Cray, W. R. H. S.; Frank Carpenter, W. A. S.; P. S. Snyder, W.T.; George Feathers, W. F. S; Addie Snyder, W. D M.; Harry Crosfield, W. 0. G.

Report for the quarter ending July 31, 1880: Number of members at date of last report 90; initiated 19; admitted by card 1, re-instated, 2; total, 112. Suspended for non-payment, 20; deaths, 1; total, 21. Whole number of members, 91; number of male members, 54, female members, 36; ministers, 1. Receipts from initiations, $11.40, from degrees conferred, 25 cents, from quarterly dues, $19.50 from other sources. 20 cents, total $31.35 Total amount in the treasury, $87.20.

From the time when the agitation of the temperance question in this locality began first to elicit public attention, through the various agencies that have been appropriated from time to time, at no period in the history of the movement were there indications that the agitation was not productive of good. True, at some times, apparent recoil from injudicious or over-action tended to induce discouragement. These phases, however, were always followed by exhibitions of renewed energy on the part of the more zealous advocates, which never failed to secure vantage ground to the friends of reform. Upon the whole the society of Muncie has been and is greatly advantaged by the reformatory influence pervading its atmosphere. Whatever, therefore, may be said of the insignificance of the temperance movement, the casual observer cannot fail to see that the status of this model young city, among others of the State, is greatly improved because of the ordeal though which it has passed. (Pages 158-162)