‘A new, higher association for mutual benefit’
Between 1840 and 1842 there existed in the United States of America a temperance movement, which had its origin in Baltimore, known as the 'Washington Movement'. During these two years many thousands signed the pledge. However the Washington Movement did not encourage legislative action to control the liquor traffic, many broke their pledge, and the lapses multiplied.
In New York a few determined workers resolved on the formation of an organization where the pledge could and should be taken in a solemn manner and honoured, and where a new and higher association for mutual benefit, would take the place of the Saloon. A meeting of some sixteen men was held at Teetotalers Hall, 71 Division Street, New York and the Order of the Sons of Temperance came into being by the formation of New York Division No. 1 on 29th September 1842.
Its objects were to shield its members from the evils of intemperance, to afford mutual assistance in times of sickness, provide a sum of money at the death of a member, to elevate character, to enlist workers in an earnest and noble endeavour to reclaim those who fell under the influence of strong drink, to save the young from the terrible power of the drink habit, and to assist in every way the suppression of the drink traffic. The personal pledge adopted at the formation of the organization was: 'I will neither make, buy, sell nor use as a beverage, any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider.'
The name 'Division' was given to all subsequent branches to perpetuate the fact that the first meeting was held in Division Street.
Other Divisions quickly followed and the Grand Division of New York was formed on 10th December 1842. The course had been set, and the Order advanced rapidly. Grand Divisions were formed in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and on 17th June 1844, the National Division of the Sons of Temperance of the United States was instituted.
In the records of this National Division are names of many men who helped to shape the United States and Canada, not least of which are such names as Abraham Lincoln, General S F Cary, and the Hon. Neal Dow. Presidents Rutherford B Hayes and Ulysses S Grant were also members of the Sons of Temperance.
Abraham Lincoln
Sixteenth President of the United States of America from 1860 to 1865, and a total abstainer all his life, Abraham Lincoln took an active part in speaking for the Washington Movement. He became a member of the Sons of Temperance in the Sangamon Division of Springfield, Illinois in 1854. The Sons of Temperance was the only Order he ever joined. In 1863, when President, he received and welcomed a delegation from the Order on the occasion of its twenty-first anniversary, and gave much assistance to their field agents in their work among the soldiers during the Civil War.
Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 when at the theatre. His killer, John Wilkes Booth, had just come out of a saloon after drinking two glasses of brandy.