_IN THE MAINE LEGISLATURE._
"When Christ came into the World peace was sung; and when He went
out of the world peace was bequeathed."
The first decided action of the Maine Legislature in regard to the
sale of intoxicating liquors was taken in the autumn of 1846. Much
work had been done during the two preceding years in the towns to
arouse the people to the necessity of bringing about an entire
revolution, and the temperance organizations worked zealously to base
all the structure they built on total abstinence. The foundation truth
was laid by Jesus Christ in Judea in words that meant, "If any one of
thy passions or appetites causes thee to do wrong, cut it off and cast
it from thee." The _necessity_ for total abstinence was vigorously
enforced by Eli Jones whenever he spoke. Enough believers in
temperance were sent to the Legislature in 1846 to pass a law "to
restrict the sale of intoxicating drinks." This was followed in 1851
by an "Act for the suppression of drinking-houses and tippling-shops."
This was the well-known "Maine Law," and forbade the manufacture for
sale of intoxicating liquors, except cider. Unadulterated cider in
quantities of five gallons and upward might be sold. There were
thirty-nine other sections directed against liquor-selling,
drunkenness, and the habit of drinking in the community. This law
accomplished a very beneficial work. One of its great results was to
bring the temperance question more emphatically before the other
States and nations. At home it made drinking disgraceful and took away
to a great extent the temptation from the young men. While in small
towns it was nearly a perfect success in closing all shops, in the
cities there was not vigilance enough to carry out its purpose, and
many felt that more vigor must be used.
Three years later, in 1854, the town of China elected Eli Jones by a
large majority over two other candidates to represent it in the
"House" of the Legislature. It was expected that he would carry to the
State capital the views which he unceasingly expressed at home, and
that he would agitate a still further reform, or, as he expressed it,
"put new teeth into the old law." The choice was wholly unexpected to
him, and he was working for the election of his lifelong friend,
Ambrose Abbot. He was given a prominent place on the committees, and
especially the Committee on Temperance. He worked almost continuously
to bring about the desired legislation, but seldom spoke, most of his
work being in the committee.
This was a memorable winter at Augusta, and many excellent men were
there in the different branches of the State government. It was a
great opportunity for a true Friend to show to legislators the worth
of his principles. Eli Jones was the only man who refused to rise when
the governor called upon the united House and Senate to take the oath
of office, and he stood alone to give _affirmation_ that he would
faithfully perform his work. As was said before, Eli Jones, though
earnestly at work for the good of the people of the State, did not
address the House. Some members, who knew him intimately and wished to
call him to his feet, arranged a plan, not as a personal jest, but as
a scheme to gain a speech. In the course of the session the
appointment of a major-general to the second division of the Maine
militia came in order.
In 1838, Maine had undertaken to assert by force of arms her title to
a region near the northern boundary claimed both by her and by Canada.
There was much mustering of troops at the capital, and fully ten
thousand soldiers marched through the deep snow and fierce cold to
drive the enemy from Aroostook county. Though they were brave and
ready for battle, happily no blood was shed and peace was wisely made;
but the "Aroostook War" became famous as a subject of banter and many
jokes were made at the expense of its officers. The old nursery rhyme
was quoted:
"The king of France, with forty thousand men,
Marched up the hill and then--marched down again."
Primarily for these two reasons, to urge Eli Jones to his feet and to
joke the former officers by appointing a Quaker, an avowed
peace-advocate, he was chosen unanimously to fill the vacancy in the
office of major-general.
The nomination was so wholly unexpected that he was at first perplexed
at his situation. Much was at stake and wisdom and caution were
needed. Having his horse at Augusta, he drove that night to his home
at Dirigo, fifteen miles away, chiefly perhaps to discuss his course
with his family and the Friends most suitable for counsel. After
talking into the night with his brother-in-law, James van Blarcom, he
walked the floor alone until the new day was dawning. On arriving
again at Augusta he found the occasion far more important than he had
anticipated. The news had spread that the Quaker was to speak in
regard to his appointment; and the Representatives' Hall was crowded,
not only most of the Senate being present, but numbers from the city.
The subject of the business was introduced, and Eli Jones, rising,
spoke in substance as follows:
"Whatever my ambition may have been in times past, my aspirations have
never embraced such an office as this as an object of desire. I can
assure the House that my election as major-general was an honor wholly
unexpected. It is true that when the governor announced to this House
the existence of the vacancy, a member privately remarked to me, 'I
shall vote for you,' but I replied to him, declining the honor and
proposed to return the compliment.
"To my mind there is something ominous in this occurrence. I regard it
as one of the wonderful developments of the times. Who of us that
assembled ten years ago in quiet and retired places to affix our
signatures to pledges of abstinence from intoxicating drinks would
have believed that in 1855 we should be elected to the seats we now
occupy amidst the overwhelming rejoicing of the people, pledged to the
support of the Maine Law? Who that at that time had visited the
plantations of the South, and seen the slave toiling under the lash of
the taskmaster, would have believed that in 1855 the people of the
larger portion of this great land would have roused up with a stern
determination to subdue the encroachments of the slave-power, and
pledge themselves never to cease their labors until the wrongs of
slavery should be ameliorated--nay more, till slavery itself should be
abolished? Still more wonderful, who would have believed that the
State of Maine, that a few years since gloried in an Aroostook
expedition, and was noisy with military training and the din of arms,
would in 1855 exhibit the spectacle of a peaceable member of the
Society of Friends being elected to the post of major-general of a
division of the militia, and that too by the Representatives of the
people in their legislative capacity?
"But I have endeavored to regulate my own conduct by the principle
that legislation should not go very far in advance of public
sentiment, and it seems to me that this election may possibly be ahead
of that sentiment. I submit this suggestion in all candor. It is
generally understood that I entertain peculiar views in respect to the
policy of war. If, however, I am an exponent of the views of the
Legislature on this subject, I will cheerfully undertake to serve the
State in the capacity indicated. With much pleasure I should stand
before the militia of the second division and give such orders as I
think best. The first would be, 'Ground Arms!' The second would be,
'Right about face! beat your swords into ploughshares and your spears
into pruning-hooks, and learn war no more!' And I should then dismiss
every man to his farm and his merchandise, with an admonition to read
daily at his fireside the New Testament and ponder upon its tidings
of 'Peace on earth and good-will to men.'
"If, on the other hand, it should be determined that my election is a
little in advance of the times, I am willing, as a good citizen, to
bow to the majesty of law, and, as a member of the Legislature, to
consult its dignity and decline the exalted position tendered me by
the House; and I will now decline it. With pleasure I will surrender
to the House this trust and the honor and retire to private life."
This speech was delivered amid interruptions of loud applause, and
made a great sensation throughout the State. And not in Maine only; it
was commented on in many of the newspapers and appeared in the columns
of English journals. Pictures of the fighting Quaker were made, with
the order to his troops printed below. It even came out in an African
journal; so that what seemed like an unimportant pleasantry on the
part of the members of the Legislature gave Eli Jones an opportunity
to preach peace to a very extended audience, and his voice was heard
far beyond the little State capital. From this time he was regarded
with much respect by all the members, and he received encouragement
and support in whatever he desired to accomplish.
At the close of the session he called to thank the governor for his
kindness to him and his help in different ways, and he remarked to the
latter that he had been in rather a peculiar place during the winter
and had felt somewhat like a "speckled bird." The governor said, "Mr.
Jones, what you call being a 'speckled bird' has given you more
influence than anything else could possibly have done." Whatever he
may have accomplished in other lines during his term of office, he
gave powerful testimony in favor of peace and temperance and against
the use of oaths, and he went back to his quiet farm in China
thoroughly respected by all with whom he had been associated.
OAK GROVE SEMINARY.
It may be a fitting place to speak of his connection with Oak Grove
Seminary, as he was at work for its interests not long after this
time. As I have in my possession a letter written by him in regard to
the beginning and early days of the school, I will insert it here:
"Oak Grove Seminary was started about the year 1850 by John D. Lang,
Samuel Taylor, Ebenezer Frye, Alden Sampson, and Alton Pope. They had
in view the guarded and religious education of the children of
Friends. It was to be a '_select_' school. William H. Hobbie was the
first principal. I visited his school and thought him a wonderful
teacher. He stood before his class without a book, and seemed to be
himself the book. Up to that time I had never seen the like. Franklin
Paige, the present publisher of the _Friends' Review_, followed
William Hobbie in the principalship. Financially, the undertaking
after a while proved a failure, and the school was closed.
"At a meeting of the yearly meeting's committee on education, held in
China in the autumn of 1856, I advocated an effort being made to open
Oak Grove Seminary again. It was opposed by some on the ground that we
needed primary schools more than high schools: to that idea my answer
was, We must first have high schools to prepare teachers for the
primary schools. A meeting of the original proprietors of the seminary
was called, and the question put to them, 'Are you willing to have
other Friends join you in opening the seminary?' Samuel Taylor
replied, 'We want to know first what you will do; we do not want to
depend upon a rope of sand.'--'What are the conditions on which we can
join you?'--'Do as much as we have; give $2500.' To this Alden Sampson
replied, 'It is useless to think of opening the school with $2500; we
must have $15,000. If you will raise that amount I will give $1000.'
Ebenezer Frye responded as liberally. A committee was appointed to
raise the fifteen thousand dollars. Eli Jones, William A. Sampson,
Joseph Estes, and Thomas B. Nichols were the chief workers in raising
the proposed sum. They were successful. It was nearly all subscribed
by six hundred Maine Friends. They constituted an association for the
opening and management of Oak Grove Seminary.
"In the summer and autumn of 1857 the boarding-house was built. James
van Blarcom was chosen principal, and Sarah B. Taber of Albion
teacher. It was found that James van Blarcom's engagements would not
allow of his occupying the place for one year, consequently Eli Jones
took this position for the first year. The school opened in the 12th
month, 1857. The season had been wet, and the building and preparation
for the school proceeded slowly. Much hard work devolved upon the
principal and teachers. The pupils were numerous, and the spring term
brought 140. A case of scarlet fever, resulting in the death of a
lovely girl, rapidly reduced the number, which has not been reached
since.
"At the opening of the second year Albert Smiley became principal and
James van Blarcom governor and boarding-master.
"Albert Smiley was followed by Augustine Jones, and he by Richard M.
Jones.
"Oak Grove has furnished principals for Friends' School at Providence
for nearly a quarter of a century, and to the Penn Charter School of
Philadelphia for about thirteen years. Ten or twelve of its pupils
have been or are ministers in the Society of Friends; some are to-day
leading business-men.
"The writer of this notice has been connected with the management of
the institution for the last thirty years, sometimes influentially,
sometimes wellnigh powerless. As the record has been made, so it will
stand. I have rejoiced in the times of its prosperity; I have wept
over the ashes of its fine buildings, its library, its geological
museum. I now see the second temple rising from the ashes of the first
with an unlooked-for splendor. May it long stand for the benefit of
our race and the glory of God!"