McDonough County IL Archives History - Books .....Temperance - Chapter XV 1878
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Book Title: History Of McDonough County

CHAPTER XV.
TEMPERANCE.

  McDonough county, like every other organized territory, has had its
"temperance revivals," its seasons of drunkenness and seasons of sobriety. As
stated in the first part of this work, one of the first acts of our Board of
County Commissioners was the licensing of taverns, places where intoxicating
liquors might be sold. Then, everybody drank; not to do so, was to set yourself
above your neighbor and become his judge, a state of things which was not to be
encouraged. When the first barrel of whisky was brought to Macomb there were but
two ministers of the gospel residing in the place, and both got "gloriously
drunk" when it was tapped. The first license was granted to a preacher, and for
years this class took their toddy along with other folks. Notwithstanding we are
told now that whisky in those days was very pure, it made a surprising number of
drunkards, and when the Washingtonian movement swept over the country it is not
to be wondered at that this county was struck by a huge wave and driven along
with the tide.

  In the winter of 1841-42, two gentlemen from Quincy, Illinois, came to the
county seat, proclaiming themselves missionaries of this movement, secured the
Methodist Episcopal church for lecturing purposes. On the first evening of
meeting a large concourse of people assembled to hear what they had to say, as
they seemed to be setters-forth of a new doctrine, strange to their ears. A
chairman was desired for the occasion, and with great difficulty one was
obtained, and he only on the promise made him by the speakers that they would
not urge him personally to sign the pledge. The speakers held forth to a
wondering audience, keeping them alternately laughing and crying, as the
ludicrous or sorrowful side of the drunkard's life was portrayed.  At the
conclusion of the addresses, those who desired to do so were invited to sign the
pledge. The chairman of the meeting was the first to affix his name to the
document, followed by many others, some of whom, we know, have been consistent
temperance men ever since.

  Open temperance organizations were wholly adopted for carrying on the
temperance work until the year 1848, when a charter was obtained for a Division
of the Sons of Temperance, at Macomb, an organization which at that time was
being extensively introduced all over the country. This was a secret
organization, composed of males eighteen years old and upwards. In a short time
this organization had its Divisions all over the county, two very strong ones
existing in Macomb at the same time. In the latter place, in conjunction with
two other parties, these Divisions erected what at that time was regarded as a
very fine building, on the south side of the square, the lower part to be used
as store rooms, and the upper part as a hall for the meetings of the Divisions.
From some cause the Divisions weakened and soon suspended, their hall was sold,
and in a few short years that which was erected for the purpose of advancing the
interests of temperance and morality was converted into a den for making
drunkards. When the Sons of Temperance began to wane, the Good Templars sprang
into existence, and, in this county at one time, we believe, there were eighteen
or twenty lodges, with a membership of nearly two thousand. This order differed
from the Sons of Temperance in that it admitted both men and women, receiving as
members all above the age of fifteen years. A good work was accomplished by
them, the effects of which will last throughout eternity.

  Other organizations have existed at times, both open and secret, each working
with some effect in its peculiar field of labor. Connected with the Sons of
Temperance was the Daughters of Temperance, designed for the wives and daughters
of the Sons; also the Cadets of Temperance, for youths. The Temple of Honor also
flourished for awhile. This was an organization combining the benevolent
features of the Odd Fellows and Masons, with temperance as a cardinal virtue.
The Good Templars for awhile had under their control a very effective juvenile
organization, called the Cold Water Templars, which instilled temperance
principles in the minds of many children, which, it is hoped, will be as lasting
as eternity. Various other temperance organizations have existed at different
times and in different places, each endeavoring to accomplish a special work.

  In 1854 the temperance men ran a candidate for member of the Legislature, Hon.
L. H. Waters, who was elected by a small majority. This, we believe, is the only
instance where a candidate was ever put forward by temperance men for a general
office. For a number of years past, in our cities and towns, the temperance men
have either put forward recognized temperance men for the local offices, and
voted for them as such, or have been content to vote direct upon the question of
license or no license, allowing the political parties of the day to nominate
such men as they chose, while pledging them to carry out the will of the people
as expressed at the ballot box.

  Although intemperance exists among us to an ordinary extent, in common with
the rest of the country, we know it has greatly decreased within the last thirty
years. We do not believe that, according to population, there are one-fourth as
many drunkards in our midst as there were at an early day. This leads us further
to declare we do not believe the efforts put forth by temperance people have
been a failure in times past. That organizations have lived and flourished for
awhile and then gone down, prove nothing. All these organizations are but human
instrumentalities, and are brought forth by the necessities of the hour. Their
design is to accomplish a certain purpose apparent at the time. It is not to be
expected that they will be as enduring as the hills, or like the church, so
strong that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against them." If they shall
accomplish a good work for the time being, well and good. If it is found there
is a radical defect in their organizations necessitating change, let it be made,
and let let us not imagine, because they are defective and have not accomplished
all the good their most sanguine supporters anticipated, that nothing has been
done. All over the country can be found sober, honest, and good men, who, but
for the efforts put forth by the members of some temperance organization that
has ceased to exist, would now fill a drunkard's grave. Then, we would bid
God-speed to every effort of temperance men and women, knowing that as
temperance increases our country will become more and more prosperous.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY ILLINOIS,
ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, EARLY REMINISCENCES, PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND
ANECDOTES,

AND A COMPLETE BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF THE COUNTY.
By S. J. CLARKE.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.:
D. W. LUSK, STATE PRINTER AND BINDER.
1878.


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