, 1842-05-14
ORIGIN Of the WashingtoniaEs.

The following brief and interesting
account of the commencement of this
reform iu Baltimore, has been kindly
furnished US f:r the present occasion,
by 4 gentleman f.rniliar with the facts
in the case:
On the 5th OF April, 1910, when
six n~otorinusly intemperate men were
sitting in their usual place Of meet
ing-a grog shor-the subject oil in
temperance WAS introduced. One Of
them proposed that they should all
join the Temperance Society, and he
sober men the remainder of their
lives. Having conversed for some
time on this subject, they agreed, be.
fore they separated, to meet the next
morning. at the shop of Mr.. Mitchell,
one of the six individuals alluded to.
and who is now President of the
Washinstonian Temperance Society
Of Baltimore. Ga he next morning,
the whole number (six) met as pro-
posed, and, after further conversation
on the subject, they became convinc-
ed Of the necessity Of keeping away
from their old associates, if they
would succeed in their purpose 10 be
temperate men. As yet, all yer ig-
norant in reference to what they
should do; for not one Of them had
w attended q temperance meeting,
nor even seen a temperance pledge.
At this moment, one Of the company
suggested that they should take a
walk in the country. This PROPOSE
ton was acceded TO. and accordingly
the day was spent in this rural excur,
sion they drinking nothing but water
They returned home in the evening,
with the determination OF forming q
Total Abstinence Society; at the
meetings of which, each member
should relate his experience of the ef
iects of drinking upon himself and
family. The following morning q
pledge vas drawn up and signed; and
on the evening Of the same day, the
first meeting Of the society was held.
The pledge is in The following
Words
ave, whose names are annexed,
DESTROYS Of forming a society for our
mutual benefit. TO guard against a per.
n~icious practice, which is injurious to
our health Standing, and families. do
pledge ourselves, as gentlemen, that
we will not drink any spirituous or
malt liquors, wine or cider"
At the first meeting. each member
(six 10 ally agreed to bring another
person with him, when the society
should meet again; and, at the second
meeting, the number was increased
to twelve. The same plan was pur.
sued in reference TO the following
meeting, at which twenty-four were
present; and in the course Of short
time, it was found necessary to pro-
cure a larger room for the accommo-
dation Of the members. who were in.
creasing weekly. Accordingly, an
old carpenters shop was hired for
this purpose; and many Of the ciii-
zens of Baltimore, wishing to encour.
age the society in its prai,e-worthy
efforts, attended its meetings, and
soon the old shop was filled TO over.
flowing. 1t became necessary, there.
fore, to seek a still larger place. and
at length the "Union Hall Of Balti-
more was procured. The society
increased rapidly, and in one year
from its formation, numbered about
sic thousand!
About a year ago, delegates from
this society visited New-York and
Boston, by request, and similar asso-
ciations were formed in each Of these
cities, the BENEFICIAL influence OF which
is generally known On their way
TT f- -