THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
In Nat's boyhood the principle of total abstinence was not advocated by
the friends of temperance. He was considered temperate who drank
intoxicating liquor sparingly, and there were few persons who did not
use it at all. But a few years later, at the period of his life to which
we have now arrived, the total abstinence theory began to command the
public attention. The movement commenced with the New York State
Temperance Society, and spread rapidly over the country. It reached
Nat's native village, and considerable interest was awakened.
"I have been thinking," said Nat to his companions, when they were
together one evening, "that we better form a young people's total
abstinence society. That is evidently the only right principle of
conducting the temperance reform."
"_I_ am ready for it," replied Charlie. "Something ought to be done to
stop the evils of intemperance. I understand the adults are going to
organize a society, and there will be more interest awakened if we young
people have one among ourselves."
"I suppose we can belong to the town society if we choose," said Frank,
"though I think there would be more interest, as you say, if we have one
among ourselves. I am ready to do either."
"What do _you_ say, Marcus?" inquired Nat.
"I say 'amen' to it, with real Methodist unction," answered Marcus, with
his usual good humor. "Any way that will smash the decanters and get rid
of the rum."
"_You_ like it as well as anybody," said James Cole, somewhat pettishly,
as he was touched by this last remark of Marcus. "I wouldn't trust you
out of sight with a decanter, whether you join the society or not."
"What! are you opposed to it, James?" asked Nat.
"Yes, I am; it is all nonsense to talk about never tasting of liquor
again. The whole of you would drink wine at the first party where it is
passed around. Not one of you would dare refuse."
"You will have a chance to see," said Frank. "The time is not far off
when no one will provide wine for a party, if the total abstinence
cause advances, as I believe it will."
"Well, I shall not sign away my liberty," continued James, "by putting
my name to a pledge. I shall drink when I please, and stop when I
please."
"I have no more intention of signing away my liberty," said Nat, "than
you have. But I am not anxious for the liberty of getting drunk and
lying in the gutter. I prefer to be free, and know what I am about; for
then I can walk the streets without reeling when I please."
"A man has no need to make a beast of himself if he does not join a
total abstinence society," said James. "I don't believe in drunkenness
any more than you do, and there is no need of drinking to excess."
"That is what every toper said once," answered Nat. "Not one of them
expected to become a drunkard, and probably they all thought there was
no need of it. When a person begins to drink, it is not certain that he
will have the ability to stop."
"Fudge," exclaimed James. "You would make out that a man has no
self-respect, and no will to govern his appetite."
"That is exactly what I mean to make out," added Nat. "The habit of
using intoxicating drinks nurtures an irresistible appetite, so that
there is not one hard drinker in ten who could now stop drinking if he
should try."
"Are you green enough to believe that?" asked James, in a tone of
derision.
"He is just _ripe_ enough to believe it," interrupted Marcus. "A
green-horn has a good deal to learn before he can believe the truth;"
and this sly hit James felt.
"I suppose that you all expect that _I_ shall be picked out of the
gutter one day, because I can't control my appetite," said James. "I
should think so by your talk."
"For one, I should not be at all surprised," replied Nat, "unless you
change your views. You certainly maintain the gutter theory."
"Gutter or no gutter," added James, "I shall not sacrifice my liberty by
joining a total abstinence society. I will have people know that there
is one child who can drink when he pleases, or let it alone."
It was usual at that time, for youth to drink, as well as adults, on
certain occasions. If a company of them were out upon an excursion, or
attending a party, they did not hesitate to take a glass of wine, and
even something stronger. It was according to the custom of the times. It
was fashionable to treat callers to something of the kind, and to
furnish it as a necessary part of the entertainment at social
gatherings. Nat and his companions were accustomed to accept the glass
on such occasions. But they were discriminating enough to perceive that
there was danger. They did not dare to trust themselves to sustain the
drinking usages of the the day. They had heard public lectures upon the
subject, in which the perils of the times, both to the young and old, in
this respect, were delineated, and they were wise enough to acknowledge
the truth of what they heard. Nat espoused the cause from the beginning,
with his usual enthusiasm and invincible purpose.
It was decided to organize a Total Abstinence Society, and arrangements
were made to effect the object on the following week. Notice was given
accordingly, and many of the young people were spoken with upon the
subject. The friends of temperance generally encouraged the movement, as
a very hopeful one for the young. Nat, assisted by his companions,
drafted a constitution before the evening of organization arrived, in
order to facilitate the business. The proposition met with many hearty
responses.
On the evening appointed to form the society, as many were present as
could be expected, and most of them came resolved to join the society. A
few were drawn thither by curiosity, having little sympathy with the
movement. The meeting was called to order by one of the number, and a
temporary chairman elected.
"Mr. Chairman," said Nat, rising from his seat, "we have met here
to-night to organize a Total Abstinence Society, and most of us have
come with the intention of joining. In order, therefore, to effect a
speedy organization, I will present to the meeting the following
constitution, which some of us have prepared, for their adoption or
rejection. If the constitution is adopted, it will then be proper to
circulate it for signatures, and afterwards proceed to the choice of
officers."
Nat read the constitution and by-laws, and they were unanimously
adopted, and then circulated for signatures. The pledge was incorporated
into the constitution, so that signing that was also signing the pledge.
"I move you now," said Charlie, "that we proceed to the choice of
officers." The motion was carried.
"How shall the officers be chosen?" inquired the chairman.
"I move they be chosen by ballot," said Frank. This motion was also
carried.
"Please prepare and bring in your votes for president," announced the
chairman.
Two or three boys' caps made convenient ballot-boxes, so that this order
was soon obeyed.
"Votes all in?" inquired the chairman. "If so, I declare the ballot
closed."
After counting the ballots, the president announced the result.
"You have made choice of Frank Martin for your president," said he.
Frank took the chair, and the temporary chairman retired.
"Please prepare and bring in your votes for secretary," said Frank.
The order was speedily executed, and the president declared the ballot.
"You have made choice of Charles Stone for your secretary," and Charles
took his place at the table.
The remaining officers were duly elected, and other business performed,
and thus the first Total Abstinence Society, in Nat's native place, was
started by himself and associates. When we consider how long ago it was,
and the perils that surrounded the young at that time, on account of the
drinking usages, we must concede that it was a very important event to
all who put their names to that constitution and pledge. It probably
exerted a moulding influence upon their characters through life.
Possibly it saved some of them from a drunkard's grave.
The formation of such a society was calculated to create considerable of
a sensation in the village, and to provoke many remarks for and
against. The principle of total abstinence was so novel to many, that
they thought its advocates must be almost insane. Even some temperance
men and women, who had defended the cause on the old ground, concluded
that there was more zeal than knowledge in taking such a step. In the
grog-shops the subject was discussed with much _spirit_.
"You'll have to shut up shop 'fore long," said one customer to Miles, a
rumseller, "if the temperance folks can have their own way."
"I guess they won't have their way," replied Miles. "Very few people
will sell their liberty out so cheap. I don't apprehend that it will
make much difference with my business, whether they have a temperance
society or not."
"You haven't heard how swimmingly the young folks went on the other
night, I reckon."
"Yes I have; and that was one of Nat's movements. He's dead set against
drinking, they say, but he is welcome to all he can make out of this."
"He better be minding his own business, and not meddle with other
people's affairs. They say he studies more than he works now; but if he
had been compelled to work on at his trade, it would turn out better for
him and all concerned."
"Nat is a smart feller," said the rumseller; "but he'll have to be a
good deal smarter before he can get many people to say they'll never
drink."
"That's certain," responded the customer. "There is no use in trying to
do what can't be done. But boys are getting to know more than their
fathers in these ere times. I 'spose there are some folks who would like
to tell us what we shall eat and wear, and what we shan't."
"I wonder if Jim Cole joined the society?" inquired the rumseller.
"Jim! no! you wouldn't ketch him to make such a dunce of himself. He
believes in using a little when he wants it, and that's my doctrine."
"Jim is steady as a deacon natrally," continued the vender, "and I
didn't know but he might be influenced by Nat to join."
"He didn't; for he told _me_ that he shouldn't sign away his liberty for
anybody, and he said that he told Nat, and the other fellers, that they
would drink wine at the first party they went to."
"He was wrong there, I'm thinking," answered the rumseller; "for Nat is
independent, and he don't back out of any thing he undertakes. He'll be
the last one to give it up."
"Doesn't Jim patronize you sometimes?"
"Yes; he occasionally drops in, and takes a little; but Jim doesn't
favor hard drinking. He thinks that many men drink too much."
If all the remarks and discussions that were consequent upon the
organization of the Total Abstinence Society, could be collected, the
result would be a volume. But we must be satisfied with this single
illustration, and pass on.
The members of the society studied to know how to make it interesting
and prosperous. Various plans were suggested, and many opinions were
advanced.
"Let us invite Nat to deliver a lecture," said Frank to Charlie. "He
will prepare a good one, and it will interest the people in our
movement."
"I had not thought of that," answered Charlie. "Perhaps it would be a
good plan. But do you suppose he would do it?"
"I think we could urge him to it," replied Frank. "He likes to speak as
well as he does to eat, and a little better; and I know that he can give
a capital lecture if he will."
"I think it might be the means of inducing more of the young people to
join the society," continued Charlie. "The more popular we make it, the
more readily some of them will join us."
"I will go and see Nat at once about it if _you_ will," said Frank. "If
he does it, the sooner he knows about it the better."
They went to see Nat, and found him in his study. The subject was duly
opened, and, after some urging, he consented to deliver a public
lecture. At the meeting of the Society on that week, a formal invitation
was voted to Nat, and the time of the lecture appointed.
At that time, it required much more decision, perseverance, and moral
principle, to espouse the temperance cause than it does to-day. It was a
new thing, and many looked with suspicion upon it. Of course, it was a
better test of Nat's principles and purpose, than such a movement would
be now. That it was a good stand for him to take, and one suited to tell
upon his future character, we need scarcely say. It is an important
event when a youth of this day resolves that he will never tamper with
intoxicating drinks--and that he will pledge his word and honor to this
end. It was a far more important event _then_. And when we look upon
that group of youth, conferring together upon the claims of the total
abstinence principle, and their resolve to adopt it in the face of
opposition, we can but record it as one of the most hopeful and sublime
events of Nat's early life.