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Start Over You searched for: Subjects Drinking of alcoholic beverages. Remove constraint Subjects: Drinking of alcoholic beverages. Subjects Temperance--United States--History--19th century. Remove constraint Subjects: Temperance--United States--History--19th century.
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Collection

Madison (Conn.) temperance speech, [1849?]

24 pages

A currently unidentified person wrote this temperance speech in Madison, Connecticut, around 1849. The writer included extracts from previous annual reports of the Madison Temperance Society and provided a brief history of the society before writing about the effect of drinking and temperance on society.

A currently unidentified person wrote this temperance speech in Madison, Connecticut, around 1849. The writer included extracts from previous annual reports of the Madison Temperance Society and provided a brief history of the society before writing about the effect of drinking and temperance on society.

The extracts include the number and sex of adult members, as well as the number of juvenile members. The writer noted that a majority of the members were women and that a significant portion of members who pledged against the use of distilled liquors were self-proclaimed Sons and Daughters of Zion.

The writer frequently referenced the Gospel, proclaiming that "no drunkard shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven" (page 20). They tell the story of a man in the prime of his life who, although working hard, could never acquire a "permanent home" for himself and his family because of his expenditures on alcohol. The writer insisted that if those men stopped spending their money on alcoholic beverages, they would be able to afford a home and good clothing for their family within a few years.

The speech concludes with a condemnation of members who violated their pledges, and a suggestion that further steps be taken to ascertain the exact number of society members on account of poor record-keeping.

Collection

Middlebrook Council No. 61 Friends of Temperance meeting minutes, 1848-1878 (majority within 1869-1871)

1 volume

This volume contains the meeting minutes for the Middlebrook Council No. 61 Friends of Temperance in Middlebrook, Virginia. The records cover its founding in 1869 with their constitution and minutes through 1871 (largely consisting of the names of members who attended the meetings). At one meeting, a member was punished for drinking cider on New Years' Day. The remainder of the volume contains scribbles, penmanship practice, maths problems, and additional content.

This volume contains the meeting minutes for the Middlebrook Council No. 61 Friends of Temperance in Middlebrook, Virginia. The records cover its founding in 1869 with their constitution and minutes through 1871 (largely consisting of the names of members who attended the meetings). The remainder of the volume contains scribbles, penmanship practice, maths problems, and additional content.

Additional content includes:
  • A partial dictionary
  • A partial account book
  • Several letter copies or fragments
  • Math problems (fractions, word problems)
  • Geography notes
  • Dimensions for a blind bridle
Collection

Polkville (N.Y.) manuscript temperance address, 1848

1 volume

This impassioned speech about the dangers of intemperance, licentiousness, and infidelity was given at Polkville, New York, in May 1848. The currently unidentified orator warned against travelling exhibitions, theatre, sleight of hand, "modern ball room influence," and public singing.

This impassioned speech about the dangers of intemperance, licentiousness, and infidelity was given at Polkville, New York, in May 1848. The currently unidentified orator warned against travelling exhibitions, theatre, sleight of hand, "modern ball room influence," and public singing. They also make what may or may not be a reference to Dr. R. H. Collyer's "Model Artists" (pertinent to animal magnetism/mesmerism).

The author discussed the monetary profits of tavernkeepers, landlords, and rum-sellers, and also condemned those who indirectly supported liquor dealers through the support of balls, or dinners with oysters and cigars. The people who attended such gatherings were labelled as aiders and abettors. Within the speech is the motto "To the rescue of the World from the reign of King Alcohol."

The orator argued that the decline, crime, mutiny, and subsequent execution Philip Spencer (1823-1842) was the result of intemperance influenced by "The Pirate's Own Book." Other subjects mentioned include college life, party politics, and the need for all temperance supporters and societies to work together despite political and social differences.