The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-05
Temperance.
To the Editor ofthe Press:

To the Editor ofthe Press
In the discussions of the recent State Tenn
perance Convention, held at Augusta, noticed
the following remarks made by Rev. Mr. Mer-
had signed the pledge and joined the first tenn
perance society ever formed in this State" /
was in hopes some individual of your city
would have rectifed the mistake he has unin-
tentionally made In the latter part Of the re-
marks l have quoted. If there is any credit
due to the pioneers of the temperance cause,
they should receive it. In 1910 or 1911 tenn
perance society was formed in Portland, proba-
bly, before Mr.. Merrill was born, called the '69''
Society," and though ostensibly ''for the sup
preston OF vice and immortality" it was en-
phatically temperance society. The late
Samuel Freeman was one of the OriginatOrs of
this society, and at one time at least its Presi-
dent. have list of its members in his hand
writing with his name at the head of 1t. Soon
after its organization prosecution by indict-
ment was commenced through its its instru-
mentality against one of the dealers of intoxi-
eating liquors, which so enraged them and 9th
ers against the mcmbsrs of this society, wha
were among the most respectable citizens of
Portland, that Samuel Freeman at their next
annual town meeting in 1872 was dropped
from the list of selectmen, in which Board he
had served, generally, if not always, as chair
man, for twenty-five consecutive years. He
and, although a decided Federalist, was
supported for town offices by both and was at
forwards restored to their accustomed favors.
Thesretailers in Portland at this time con-
sidered the S69" society Temperance associa-
ton: have in my possession and in the hand
wrltlng OF Samuel Freeman copy OF the todsfa
drank by them at their celebration of the 4th of
July They are denunciatory of this, as a Tenn
perance society. I hold also report, drawn
by him, and expressly designed for this society,
wherein plan is proposed to create fund for
the relief of the reformed drunkard or his af
fiicted and destitute family, and where the
WashingtoniaH principle OF reform was recog-
shown that temperance society existed in
Portland at least sixty years ago. Perhaps it
may be shown, that one was established in
Maine, prior to 1911, Ii SO, Portland should
yield the palm in this respect to the town en-
w. FREEMAN.
CHERRYFIELD Jan. 31st 1872.
ION submitting the above interesting commu-
nication to Rev. Samuel III. Merrill, we found, as
we suspected, that the remarks which MIR.
Freeman c.iticises had been attributed to him
by some of the papers by mistake. The fol-
lowing note from Mr.. Merrill contains some
interesting reminiscences]
Mr. EpIToR,-The following communication
will be read with interest for the fact 1t states
in respect to early movements in behalf of
temperance in this city. The writer, now
nearly ninety years of age, will be remembered
by our older residents as native of Portland,
and a son of Samuel Freeman, of whom he
speaks as President of the first temperance So
cety ever organized in the town and probably
in the State. He lived to good old age and is
remembered to this day as highly intelligent,
honorable, high-minded, kind-hearted and USE
full man. 1t Is said of him that at the annual
,ool 10 for
vote thus: Gentlemen you will please bring in
your ballots for Samuel Freeman as first select
man. t...,
1t would be decidedly awkward for me to
meet the charge of having falsifed history pro-
vided had done it. But my plea is 'tNot
guilty" Twas not within fifty miles of Au-
gusta during the session of the convention re-
ferred to- S. n. MERRILL.