Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance

The Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance was founded in the Statehouse in Boston. It was on February 5, 1813. The goal was to “suppress the frequent use of ardent spirits. and its kindred vices, profaneness and gaming.” It also sought to “promote temperance and general morality.” By 1818 it had over 40 chapters. Each chapter had an average of about 100 members.

High Social Standing

The group accepted only men of high social standing. It also largely restricted its activities to those of similar stature. For example, employers were asked not to provide any payment in the form of alcohol. Public officials were asked to issue alcohol licenses only to those of high standing. They were also asked to restrict the number of such licenses. And they were asked to have intoxicated persons arrested. As it saw necessary, it proposed laws as well.

The Society also published and distributed materials promoting its goal. This included the National Philanthropist. That was the first temperance newspaper in the state. It may have the first in the entire nation.

Not Abstinence

Members of the Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance did not seek abstinence. They promoted temperance or moderation in drinking distilled spirits (liquor).

But the the temperance movement was changing. It was becoming more anti-alcohol. In 1833, the Society changed as well. It required new members, but not existing ones, to sign a pledge of abstinence from spirits.

Later in the year the group was reorganized. It became the Massachusetts Temperance Society. It then required a pledge of abstinence from spirits by all members.

Now Abstinence

The Massachusetts Temperance Society now opposed drinking spirits. But not beer or wine. That’s because of a common myth. It’s the belief that spirit are more alcoholic than beer and wine. In fact, standard drinks of beer, wine and spirits all have the the same amount of pure alcohol. It’s 6/10 of an ounce.

With the passage of time, temperance groups increasingly called for abstinence from from beer and wine as well.