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Echoes of Oregon History Learning Guide
introduction | history | chronology | documents | guide home
Document No. 1501 - Enlarge image | Page two
Prohibition Petition, 1854
Transcript of original document:
The Ladies Petition to the Oregon Legislature To the
Hon, the Legislature of Oregon Territory now in session.
Your petitioners, Ladies of Oregon Territory, in view of the
existing evil of Intemperance in our rising Colony,
res-pectfully pray your Hon body to throw your aegis of
protection over our country, our homes and our firesides. We
pray that you Legisla-tive councils may aid us in freeing
ourselves from the blighting demoralizing influence of
intoxication liquors; in pre-serving our moral natures
uncorrupted by its poison; in restoring our fallen brethren
to their original dignity, and freedom from its thralling
power; in the homes of Sisters, who are more than widows,
and children more than orphans made so by the "monster rum";
in shielding our husbands, our brothers, and our sons from
the shafts aimed at their lives and their fortunes by the
venders of spirituous liquors; and in making our beautiful
country a country that knoweth not the "worm of the
still".
In aid of this, we respectfully pray your Hon body, so to
amend the Organic Law of this Territory as to prohibit the
introduction, manufacture, and sale of all kinds of
in-toxicating liquors, to be read at the polls at the next
June Election, that the same may be adopted or rejected at
the next Legislature.
And your petitioners would also further pray your Hon body to make the necessary provisions whereby the vote of the people, on such amendments, may be expressed, and ascertained, at the next June Election by affirmative and negative votes.
And as in duty bound your
Petitioners will ever pray &c
(74 signatures)
Background
Consumption of alcohol has long been a cause of conflict
in the United States. Agitation for prohibition was
especially strong in the mid-nineteenth century. Liquor was
blamed for a host of social evils. Oregon Territory did not
prohibit the manufacture, sale, or consumption of alcohol.
To change this situation, a Territorial Temperance Society
was established in 1852, and the Portland Temperance League
was founded in 1854. The women who signed this petition list
the dangers of intoxicating liquors, citing their profoundly
disruptive effects on the family. This petition sounds
several themes, ranging from the damaging effects of alcohol
on the wives and children of drinkers to the corrupting
influence of strong drink on the men who consume it.
Words and Terms
intemperance?
aegis?
blighting?
thralling?
worm of the still?
monster rum?
For Further Discussion
1. What do the petitioners want from the
legislature?
2. How much influence do you think these women would have
had on the legislature?
3. Can you think of any similar issues that exist today?
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