USA > Maine > Oxford County > Woodstock > History of Woodstock, Me., with family sketches and an appendix > Part 8
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So the years glided by without any great change in the habits of the people in this regard, or any apparent. apprehension on the part of the many as to what the result might be. There were even at this period, that is, as early as 1825, men and women in some sections of the State and elsewhere, and es- pecially in the larger towns and cities, who had become alarmed at the prevalence of intemperance among the people, and who saw the need of organized effort to stay the progress of the destroyer. In 1827, the American Temperance Society was organized, and in 1832 the State Temperance Society held its first meeting in Augusta, presided over by the Governor of the State. Branches of this organization sprung up in various places ; there was one at North Paris, and Cornelius Perkins, Asa Thurlow, and possibly one or two others, became members. In 1836, Rev. Caleb B. Davis, of Paris, visited Woodstock and probably delivered the first public temperance address ever given in town. A society was formed, and Rev. Ransom Dunham, Sidney Perham, Alden Chase, Henry H. Packard, and other young men and women, became members. Elder Dunham was installed pastor of the Baptist church on Hamlin's Gore that year, and one of the Deacons of the church raised objections to him on the ground of his temperance principles. Indeed, the statistics gathered and reported at the State Temperance meet- ing referred to, showed that the habit of drinking enslaved Christian and worldling alike, and some of the reports went to
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show that in localities where efforts had been made to dispense with the stronger liquors, the most violent opposition to any limitation or restriction in the sale or use of intoxicants came from members of the churches. The same sentiment, to a great extent, prevailed among the church members of this town. It was regarded by the traders as an unwarrantable interference with their inalienable rights, to interfere with the traffic, and by the drinkers as a movement toward a sumptuary law, which should determine what they should and what they should not drink.
But Woodstock had made some progress in various ways. More was being done for the education of youth, and a class of young people had come up who were much better educated than their parents, young men and women who had decided opinions of their own and who saw and felt the great need of a reform in the life-long, ingrained habits of the older portions of the population. They went into this new movement, and several of the young men became public speakers and lectured to people upon the subject of temperance in the several school districts in town. They found it difficult to combat the preju- dices of the habitual drinker and made but little progress, but they were all prepared to work, and needed only to have the ball set in motion by more experienced hands, to move against that enemy which had been as a blight and a mildew to the prosperity of their town since its earliest settlement. And the opportunity came at last. The Washingtonian movement, which began in a small way in Baltimore, gathered force as it advanced, and finally spread like wildfire through the New England States. It was the first organized movement in favor of total abstinence in this country, and was eminently success- ful. It reached the State of Maine and penetrated into the interior. It enlisted the sympathies and had the warm support of the pulpit and press. In no town in Maine was its work more effective and more lasting than in Woodstock. The young people sprang into the movement as a long wished for
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opportunity, and many of their elders were not far behind them. Probably a majority of the inhabitants took the pledge, and many past middle life, who had been partakers of the intoxicating cup from their youth, kept it sacred to the day of their death. In some towns, after the first excitement was over, many of the older people lapsed into their old ways, but it was not so here. A few may have done so and probably did, but most of them were true to their obligations, of which fact there is abundant proof. Among the early advocates of temperance in this town, none did more or better work than Sidney Perham. Born in 1819, he was hardly more than a boy when he began to talk temperance, from the total abstinence standpoint, in the school districts of the town and in the towns adjoining. Since that time he has been connected with every movement for the promotion of temperance and the suppression of the traffic in intoxicating liquors that has been made in the State, and as an efficient worker in this cause he has achieved a national reputa- tion. Associated with him in the work in Woodstock were many young men and women, who, in honoring the cause of humanity and progress, honored themselves as well. And these noble reformed men, who kept their plighted faith and worked with all their might to sustain the cause they had espoused, were entitled even to more credit than the others, for they were obliged first to break their shackles, which the young men had never worn. Since that time Woodstock has been a temperance town, and whenever that issue has come up to be acted upon, the vote of this town has been on the right side.
Several years before the passage of the first of our prohibitory laws, Woodstock was in favor of prohibition, as the record of one of the town meetings shows. It was in 1845 that an article was inserted in the warrant to the following effect : "To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen, Town Clerk and Treasurer to grant license to any persons to be retailers of rum, brandy, wine and gin, except for medicinal and mechanical purposes." Under this article the town ordered the question to be decided
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by yes and no, at the call of the Clerk, those in favor of licensing to answer yes, and those opposed, no. Those who were present and did not vote, the Clerk marked " neutral." He also noted the absentees as such, so that the lists which follow embrace every legal voter in the town at that time. This vote was taken during the transition state of public opinion upon this subject, and many who voted in favor of license, afterwards became decided prohibitionists. A man's general character, therefore, is not to be judged by the manner in which he voted, though it may be set down for certain that every drinking man voted in favor of a place where he could procure his beverage.
Those who voted " Yes," or in favor of license, were: John Billings, Edward Bowker, Cyprian Bowker, Piram Bisbee, Luther Briggs, Joseph Bryant, 2d, Mahalon Bryant, Harvey Bowker, Bartholomew Cushman, Thomas C. Cushman, Josiah Churchill, Daniel Curtis, Morton Curtis, Seth Curtis, 2d, Alex- ander Day, Jr., Elijah Day, John Day, Eliphalet Davis, Gilman Farnum, Nathaniel J. Farnum, Ezekiel Fogg, Moses Houghton, Benjamin Jackson, John Lunt, Jr., Stephen Packard, Oliver Robbins, 2d, John Starbird, Jr., Samuel Stephens, Fessenden Swan, Alanson M. Whitman, David York, D. P. Hannaford and Edmund Curtis,-33.
Those who voted "No," or against license, were: Cyrus Andrews, William Brooks, Silas Billings, Charles Billings, Jona- than Billings, Eli Bryant, Cyrus Bryant, Cyprian Bowker, Jr., James Bowker, Thomas G. Clark, John Clark, Geo. W. Cushman, Jonathan Cole, Alfred Chase, Alden Chase, Merrill Chase, Daniel Curtis, 2d, Thomas B. Carter, Benjamin Davis, Stephen Davis, Joseph Dunham, Daniel Dunham, Benaiah Dow, Jr., Henry Dunham, Gilbert T. Dudley, John M. Dunham, Eleazer Ellis, Simon Fickett, John G. Felt, Lewis Fuller, Calvin Jackson, Isaac F. Knight, Josiah J. Knight, Orsamus Nute, Seth Perkins, Joel Perham, Sidney Perham, Stephen Packard, Jr., Henry H. Packard, Daniel Perkins, Cyrus Perkins, Cornelius Perkins, Joshua Perham, Kilbon Perham, Azel Perham, Simeon Rowe,
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Merrill J. Rowe, David Ricker, Jr., Oliver Robbins, Jr., James Russ, Samuel S. Swan, John Thurlow, Joseph Whitman, Jacob Whitman, Bela Wyman, Seward Wyman, Nathaniel Getchell, Hosea B. Bisbee, Augustus Clark, Samuel Dolloff, Oren Glines, Peter Brooks and Philip Chandler,-63.
Those who were present and did not vote, and classed as " Neutral," were : Levi Churchill, Crosby Curtis, Alexander Day, Harvey Fuller, Jotham Perham, Gideon Swan, Reuben Whit- man and Nathan L. Marshall,-8.
Voters in town not present and classed as "Absent," were : Eleazer C. Billings, Alexander Bryant, Joseph Bryant, Abijah Bryant, Samuel Bryant, John M. Bryant, Charles B. Brooks, Rowse Bisbee, Asa Barrows, John Cotton, John A. Caswell, Wm. Chamberlain, Edmund Chase, Adoniram Curtis, Ransom Dun- ham, Aaron Davis, Lorenzo Davis, Charles Davis, Joseph Davis, Sam'l Durell, Perrin Dudley, Harrison Doten, Jonathan Fickett, Jr., Samuel Farnum, John S. French, Thomas J. Heath, Joshua Heath, David Hasey, Welcome Kinsley, Solomon Leonard, Seneca Landers, Job Lurvey, John Lunt, Samuel Nute, Jacob Paine, Bartle Perry, Oliver Robbins, William Rowe, David Ricker, Nathaniel Robbins, Charles Robbins, Nathaniel Rob- bins, Jr., Newel F. Rowe, Joseph Russell, Edmund Swan, Ben- jamin Stephens, Jesse H. Stephens, William Swan, Sylvanus Stubbs, Nathan Stubbs, Asa Thurlow, Samuel Thorn, Gilman Tuell, Albion K. P. Whitman, Joseph Whitman, 2d, Luther Whitman, Luther Whitman, Jr., Zephaniah B. Whitman, Amos Green, Silas Doane and Samuel Adams,-68.
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The temperance cause was popular and strong in Woodstock at this time, and continued to strengthen and increase. Local temperance societies were formed in neighborhoods and school districts, and a large majority of the young men and women be- came not only interested but active workers in the cause. The first meeting of the order of the Sons of Temperance was held in Teetotaller's Hall, No. 71 Division Street, New York, on Thursday evening, September 29, 1842. It was started as a
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mutual aid society, that poor reformers, who were dependent on their labor for their support, might be able to provide themselves with sustenance in sickness, by placing a portion of their earn- ings when well, where it would be available. A meeting at the same place was held October 7, 1842, when the first, officers were elected. They were: Patriarch, Daniel Sands ; Associate, Ephraim L. Snow; Recording Scribe, John W. Oliver; Finan- cial Scribe, James Bale; Treasurer, George Mckibbin ; Con- ductor, Thomas Edgerley ; Sentinel, Thomas Swenarton. From this small beginning, the order spread very rapidly. Its secret character, and its feature of mutual aid, gave it a popularity that no temperance organization had ever before enjoyed.
The first Division in Maine was organized at Foxcroft, De- cember 24, 1844, called Piscataquis Lodge, No. 1. On the fourth of January, 1845, Franklin Division, No. 2, was instituted in Augusta. By the twenty-eighth of March following, Di- visions were organized at Gardiner, Hampden, Hallowell and . Dexter, and measures were at once taken to organize a Grand Lodge of the State. This was accomplished at the Hall of Franklin Division in Augusta, April 16, 1845, with the following officers : G. W. Patriarch, Charles Freeman ; G. W. Associate, S. B. Dockham; Grand Scribe, Ariel Wall; Grand Treasurer, Alexander Kincaid ; Grand Chaplain, Rev. J. P. Weston ; Grand Conductor, Rev. H. P. Bradbury ; Grand Sentinel, R. M. Smiley. During the year 1845, thirty-six new Divisions were opened in Maine. In 1846, Thomas H. Sanford, of Bangor, was elected G. W. Patriarch,'and John E. Godfrey, of Bangor, Grand Scribe. In 1847, Rev. J. P. Weston, of Gardiner, G. W. Patriarch, and John H. Hartford, of Augusta, Grand Scribe. In March, 1848, there were 110 Divisions in Maine, with an active membership of 7,000, and the order was rapidly increasing.
It was in 1850 that active measures were taken to establish the order in Oxford County. Norway Division was No. 150, Rumford 146, and the first meeting for the establishment of Atlantic Division, No. 159, was held at North Woodstock, on
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the first day of February, 1851. Delegations were present from the Norway and Rumford Divisions, and Wm. Wirt Virgin, as Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch, was present to initiate the applicants, institute the Division and install the officers. The following were the applicants for this Division: Chauncey C. Whitman, Rufus K. Dunham, John M. Gallison, Horace Cush- man, John G. Felt, Ransom Dunham, Cyrus Goud, Samuel Bailey, Sullivan A. Estes, Eli Bryant, Alden Chase, Ellery Rowe, Ansel Moody, Joshua Perham, Joel Perham, Jr., Anson G. Bowker and Geo. W. Cushman. The following officers were duly elected and installed : Worthy Patriarch, Geo. W. Cush- man ; Worthy Associate, Chauncey C. Whitman; Recording Scribe, Alden Chase; Assistant Rec. Scribe, Ansel Moody ; Financial Scribe, Sullivan A. Estes; Treasurer, Eli Bryant ; Conductor, Samuel Bailey ; Assistant Conductor, Joshua Per- ham ; Inside Sentinel, John G. Felt; Outside Sentinel, John M. Gallison. This became a very flourishing Division, and ยท em- braced in its membership many of the leading men of the town.
On the fourth day of July, 1852, a grand temperance celebra- tion was held at North Woodstock, which was largely attended. One of the interesting incidents of the occasion was the pre- sentation of a banner and bible to Atlantic Division, by the ladies of Woodstock. The presentation of the banner was made by Miss Martha E. Perham, now Mrs. Stephen C. Davis, who spoke in terms as follows :
"Brother, you are engaged in a cause of intense interest to our sex ; one that enlists our deepest feelings, and involves the weal or woe of the whole human race. The fiendish tyrant swayed his dread sceptre over this fertile land, until the thrilling cry of agony was heard from every quarter! Mercy ! mercy ! sprang from the inmost recesses of their hearts; but the fierce King heeded them not; for his mission was to devastate this beautiful land.
"A few strong-minded, noble souls, hearing the cry of anguish, armed them- selves for the contest-whilst thousands of others joined the ranks-deter- mined to overthrow King Alcohol, and relieve suffering humanity.
" Though they toiled manfully in this benevolent cause, though they gained many and powerful victories, yet the fell destroyer had taken such deep root, and held such absolute power over many, that it was years ere the
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most sanguine dared to indulge the hope of seeing the glorious time that we now enjoy.
" The majestic tree of temperance has taken deep root in these United States. It is. watered by the widow's and orphan's tears; also doubly watered by the heart's life-blood of the drunkard's wife. Its vigorous growth is ten-fold increased by the invincible 'Sons of Temperance.'
" It has spread over every part of the Union. Its branches already extend from the lofty mountains of the West to our own New England; from the tranquil lakes on the North to the expansive gulf on the South; and may it soon drop its balmy leaves upon every despairing heart.
"The 'Tree of black Intemperance ' has begun to decay. The noble sons have taken ax in hand and have commenced operations against that tree, slowly, deliberately, fatally ! A little more than a year ago you united your- selves in a little band in our midst, and the rumsellers know full well that where such a band of brave, patriotic, unconquerable sons exist, there they must quit their demonish, unlawful traffic.
"The glorious Sun has arisen in Maine, and its luminous rays reach even the Old World. Two years since our little State was scarcely known out of New England; now, for the noble Temperance Law she has enacted, she stands out in bold relief from her sister States; and her fame extends over the whole world. Some of her sisters have followed in her footsteps ; others are preparing to do the same; and the time is not far distant when every State will join the band.
"We are aware that you have engaged the most intellect-withering, moral- degrading and domestic-blighting foe that ever scathed our land. He sets fire to the brain and transforms the eminent man into the basest brute. He will not be moved by reason or compassion, neither will he yield to the en- treaties of an Angel from Heaven.
" You have a great work to accomplish to drive this cruel monster from our land. If you would gain the victory, you must put forth your whole energy ; never shrink from the contest; always foremost in the battle: and unflinchingly exterminate that demon of demons. Stand firm to your trust brothers, though all but Heaven forsake you. Onward ye brave sons! On- ward to victory !! You have the tears of orphans, the prayers of widows, the sympathies and smiles of approbation of every true American female, and the blessings of our dearest Father in Heaven !
"I now present to your Division this 'Banner' in behalf of the ladies of Woodstock and vicinity, expressive of their sympathy and deep interest in your future prosperity. May you march steadfastly onward under this Banner, until the throne of Alcohol is crumbled to dust."
Sidney Perham, Esq., in behalf of the Division, responded as follows :
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"In receiving this beautiful Banner, I can but express to you and your associates the unfeigned and sincere thanks of Atlantic Division, for this token of your confidence and pledge of your sympathy and co-operation. Coming, as it does, from the hearts of many who, though virtuous them- selves, have felt keenly and bitterly the sting of intemperance, and who, in the midst of joy for the reformation of their husbands and sons, fathers and brothers, are desirous of presenting some substantial token of their esteem and regard, it is most gratefully and thankfully received.
" In looking on this happy audience, I cannot prevent the reflection that a happy change has come over this community. Time was when the demon, whose ' mission is to destroy,' made sad ravages among us. The black cloud of intemperance hovered fearfully around us, often bursting with over- whelming influence on the head of some unfortunate human being, blasting all his hopes for the future, and reducing himself, and those dependent on him for protection, to a state of wretchedness, degradation and woe. But the misery of those unfortunate beings, the tears and prayers of broken- hearted females, the cries and wailings of unhappy children, neglected by those whom the ties of nature had bound to counsel and support them, have reached the ears of philanthropic men and the Throne of the Great Eternal. A voice, emanating as we believe from Heaven, has gone forth from the various temperance organizations, proclaiming the glad tidings, 'The drunkard can be saved,' carrying joy and gladness to many despairing hearts. Thou- sands have been rescued from inebriety and restored to their families and society. Men, once degraded, have become happy. Men from whose lips proceeded cursing and blasphemy, withering and blasting the morals of all coming within their influence, have become devoted Christians. Families, once miserable and wretched, have exchanged the spirit of sadness for that of joy. The cup of bitterness, which many an unhappy wife or mother has been compelled to drink to its very dregs, has been filled with gratitude and hope. Children, once surrounded by base and unholy influences, are now protected and cared for by Christian parents.
" Notwithstanding all this, we must not lay aside our armor nor think the victory won. Much yet remains to be done. Prejudice, avarice and appe- tite are yet to be overcome. Willful ignorance, that deadly foe to all human progress, still prevents too many from looking beyond the 'Good old ways of the fathers.' Many men, even in this day of light and knowledge, have no higher views of republican liberty than that it guarantees to them the right to drink and be drunken, to sell and get gain. Such persons are expected to treat with scorn and contempt every movement which restricts, in the least degree, the vilest appetites and passions of man. Such principles, however, are soon to give place to higher and nobler sentiments; and we look forward confidently to the time when principles, so disgraceful to human nature, shall be numbered among ' the things that were.'
" Permit me, humbly and reverently, to express the belief that the 'Order
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of the Sons of Temperance,' to which you have so beautifully referred, has been an instrument, in the hands of God, in establishing the happy, temper- ate state of society which we now enjoy. And, looking confidently to Him who has blessed our humble efforts in times past, we are determined to ' work on and work ever,' until intemperance, with its long black catalogue of misery, destitution and crime shall be known only in the blood-stained chronicles, and the sad memories of the sad past. And while we are per- mitted to rally around this banner ; while the pure fountain of living water, there so beautifully portrayed, continues to flow; while our hearts shall be actuated by the principles of 'Love, Purity and Fidelity,' while we are per- mitted to read that sentiment, that prayer, 'Prosperity attend our cause,' ascending to high Heaven from our wives and daughters, our mothers and sisters, we promise never to ease our efforts, never to give over the struggle, so long as one unfortunate inebriate remains to be saved, or one unhappy wife or mother implores our aid.
" In conclusion, respected sisters, we hail you as co-workers in this glorious cause, expressing the hope, the prayer to God, that your generous hearts may never be made sad, that tears of sorrow may never flow from your eyes, in consequence of the drunkenness of a husband or son, a father or brother."
In presenting the Bible, Mrs. Harriet N. Caswell spoke as follows :
"I am happy to meet you in behalf of the ladies of Woodstock and vicinity, to express through you to the Atlantic Division of the Sons of Temperance the deep interest we feel in the progress of moral reform, and that we duly appreciate the good results that you and the different Orders of your Fra- ternity are accomplishing by your unceasing labors in the cause of temper- ance.
"Your labors are arduous; you are contending with an enemy that has long held almost absolute sway over the minds of the community, upheld by public opinion and universal use; and though the use of alcohol in all its various forms rendered thousands miserable, blasting, like the poisonous Simoons of the desert, the health, happiness and peace of the people, de- stroying the brightest intellect and crushing the fondest hopes of man by its withering influence ; yet the people were blinded-a darkness that could be felt covered the land, and alcohol reigned triumphant.
"Nor was man alone the only sufferer; woman was crushed beneath his despotic rule. His deleterious influence was felt in the family circle, none the less afflicting because silently endured and uncomplainingly borne-de- stroying her fondest hopes of happiness, crushing her brightest anticipations, sundering the dearest affections of the heart, depriving the fond mother of her choicest treasure by entering her dwelling and tearing that treasure from her bosom whose presence lighted up her countenance with joy, and
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piercing her with the keenest anguish at beholding a father, a husband, or brother a groveling worshiper at the shrine of Bacchus, ruined and degraded, morally and intellectually.
" But the star of temperance has arisen. Its light has illumined the dark- ened minds of countless thousands, who have long been held in abject slavery ; and its mild, invigorating beams have brought life, happiness and peace into families in which those blessings have long been strangers.
"To your Order, more than to any other source, may those blessings be ascribed. By your untiring efforts, energetic zeal and determined persever- ance, you have made glad the hearts of thousands, and thousands more are destined to feel the salutary influence of your praiseworthy deeds. May success crown your glorious cause. Our blessings shall attend you for guarding our homes from the intrusions of intemperance, and securing to us unsullied reputations of those we hold most dear.
"But the warfare is not yet ended ; much yet remains to be done ; for in- temperance is still among us. Let not the strife cease on your part, until the last vestige of alcohol is effaced and our fair land freed from its contam- inating influence. You have much to encourage you to action. The sympa- thies of the virtuous and good are with you. You are aided by a just en- actment, the more highly prized, as it originated in our own loved State. Show, then, your respect to the Legislature from which it emanated, by strictly enforcing it, and thereby encourage those sister States that have already endorsed it. Shrink not from your whole duty, until suffering humanity ceases to demand your efforts. You have already effected a noble work. Let your past deeds of virtue incite you to still more energetic acts ; and though many may censure and refuse to assist in your works of benevo- lence, yet thousands duly appreciate your worthy motives; and future gen- erations will bless you for your untiring efforts to emancipate the world from the blighting effects of intemperance. Countless thousands are enlisting under your banner to aid in the downfall of the demon alcohol; proving by their example, that they seek for happiness in a higher sphere than intem- perance affords-in benevolent deeds and philanthropic acts.
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