Miscellany: Commencement Of The Washingtonian Movement

The following particularsof the comfnencement óf Ihe Washingtonian niovement are given iñ the Report of' the Maryland State Temperañce Society. They will be read with deep interest. Six individuáis who were in the habit of ossociating- together, were seated as usual, on Friday evening, the 2d of April, 18-10 in Case's tavern, in Liberty streef, Baltimore, where they used to meet almost every evening, for the purposes of enjoying mutually all the benefits whïch the oónvcniencies of the establishment and ench other's society coukl afford. - These were Wm, Mitchell, tailor - John F. Hoss, carpenter - David Anderson, blacltsmith - George Steers, wheelvvright - James McCurley, coachmaker, and Aróhibald Campbell, 6ilverplater. A clergyman, who was prcaching in the city at that time,-h ad published that, on that evening, iie wouid deliver a discourse on the subject of temporalice - upon his lecture the conversation of our six héroes presently turned- whereupon it was determined that four of them should go and hear it, and report accordingly. After the sermón they retiirned and discoureed upon its merits for some time; when one of the company remarked that 'after all, tcmperance was a good thing.' 'U,' said the host, 'they'er all a partel of hypocrites' 'Oyes,' replied McCurley I'll be bound foryou, it's your interest to cry them down any how.' I'll teil you boyssaid Steers, 'let's form a society, and make Bill Mitchell president.' Agreed,1 cried they. - The idea seemed to take wouderfnlly, and the more they talked and laughed over it, the inore they were pleoserl with it. After parting that night they did not meet until Sundoy; when they took a general stroll, and between walking and treating they managed to arrange the whole matter to their entire satisfaction. It was ngreed that oae of themshould draw upa plcdge, and that the wlible party Pign it the next day. Accordimrly on Monday nïorning Wm. K. Mitchell wrole the following pledg-e: - "We tchose names are annexed, dcsirous of fonning a Society for our mutual benefit,and to piard against a pcrnicious praclice uhicl is injuriousto our hcaltli, standing and families, do pledge oursclvcs as Gentlemen, that we ivill nol drink any spirituoiis or malt Uqu01 s, winc or eider." Ánd went with it about 9 o'clock to Andcr son's house. He found David stiJl sick in bed from his Sunduy adventure. lie aróse, dressrd himgelf, and after hearingr the pledge read, weht down to the .-hop with his friend for a pen and ink, and there did himself the honor of being the first man that signed the Washingtonian Pledpe. After obtaining the names of the remaining four, our worthy president finished his noble achievment by adding his own. On the e ven ing of that day they met at the residence of one of their number, and duly formed themselvcsi to a society, by assigning to each the followng office :- Presiden!, W. K. Mitchell-- Vice President, A rchibald Campbell, -Secretary. John F. Hoss - Tréasurer,Jame3 McCurley- Standing Committee, George Stecrs and David Anderson. - Having thus sUmmarily provided themselves with offices, thfey next lürhed their attent iort to obtaining membere, and to devising means to dofray the expenses óf their meeting - so it wus agreed that Oacli man should bring a frían, and evory one should pny 25cts.upon joining, and 3 cents montíily thereafter. The next debate '.vas upon wbat name they should g'ive to their society. A variety were proposed, among the rest thát ö Jeffereon; when it wae agreed that tliedent and secrelary, Capt, tioss, shóuld be appointed to draw up a constitution and select a name. which they did, and gave it the narne of the Washingtonian Temperance Society. At thcir second meeting they had two new members - after this they met for some time, every week, at their old rendezvous in Liberty street; but the land-lord's wife compiaining1 of their company no particular advuntnge to the house, the lady of the President kindly ofTered (.hem one of her ovvn rooms: where they continued to meetnntil their numberi hnd so far increased as to make it necessnry for them loseek more extensive accommodatione. Their next movo was to a carpenter's shop in little Sharp street, where lliey remained until some weeks afterwards, when they removed to their present quarters. At this time the society had enlarged so considernbly tliat it became a question how they could employ their time so as to mako meetings interesting - their worthy President, ever ready with expedients, suggested that each member should rise in his place, and give in his experience; and, by way of commencement, he aróse and told what he had passed through in the last 15 years. and thetapes which he had derived from signing the total abstmence pledge. This was the first of that most excellent plan which the Wash instonian Society and all her auxiliarles have adopted, for giving interest and effect to all their meetings. From this time the society increased very rapidly. It was proposcd that they should liold a public meeting - and arrangementa were made for one to be held on the 19th November, in the Masonic Hall.in St. Paura .streel. At this ineeünsr Mr. Mitchell and others gave in t4ieir experience vvith great effect; a number of signers werc obtained, and the atfention of the public was attracted to the movements of the society.