Autographs
Scarce Prohibitionist Crusader Neal Dow On Temperance
NEAL DOW (1804-1897). “The Father of Prohibition”.
July 6, 1858-Dated, Excellent Content Autograph Letter Signed, “Neal Dow,” 4 pages, measuring 8" x 9.75" from Portland, Maine, Fine. Writing to "Brother Guild", a correspondent from Britain, Dow discusses the Maine Law and the possibility of temperance laws being enacted in England. Prohibitionist crusader Neal Dow believes that passage of a national temperance law would be "impossible for many years to come." This Letter was most likely written to a British acquaintance from that tour. A wonderful letter from America's first ardent prohibitionist, with exceptional content relating to the Maine Law and the future of Prohibition in the United States. Some discoloration to the right edge and scattered foxing; overall, in very readable condition with excellent contrast between the paper and holograph text. Here, Neal Dow pens, in part:

"Brother Guild --- I should very much regret it, if any considerable number of reliable friends of temperance and the Maine Law, should adopt the notion that it would be well to modify our demands and change our purposes by asking for a 'Permissive Maine Law' to go into operation only in those counties, cities, towns, villages and wards, where it should be accepted by a majority of votes. Such a measure is a very wise one for Great Britain, but would be most unwise in any of our States where the temperance reform has made any considerable progress. If a Maine Law for this country could only be enacted by Congress, I should approve this proposition of a Permissive Bill - for it is very easy to see that the positive enactment of entire Prohibition by our Congress to operate uniformly over the whole country would be impossible for many years to come.… As to New York, a Maine Law may be as easily enacted and sustained there as in Maine, if the friends of the measure would but assert their independence of the politicians, as we do in this State, and not permit themselves to be yoked and driven by these men, as so many oxen, merely for their own selfish and ambitious purposes. In Maine, we constitute, as the temperance men in New York do, a large majority of the Republican party. We take the trouble - for the good of the cause, to see to it that the proper men are nominated - and then we elect them. We do not stand aloof and permit the whole thing to be managed by a few unscrupulous and corrupt wire pullers, but we arrange them ourselves. At the same time conceding everything but principle for the sake of harmony and conciliation. We will not vote for anti temperance men; the politicians are fully aware of the fact and dare not resist the resolute determination of the temperance men to have protection from the Rum Traffic..." --- (Signed at the close) "Neal Dow."


In 1851 Dow was elected mayor of Portland, and the city council at once made him chairman of a committee to visit the legislature and urge the passage of a law "stringent in its provisions and summary in its processes" which would make it possible to drive the illegal liquor traffic from the city. Dow drew up the bill he desired, and on May 26, 1851, was given a public hearing at Augusta in the House of Representatives. So convinced was the legislature that Dow had the popular sentiment of the state behind him that his bill promptly passed both houses by large majorities, and was signed by Gov. Hubbard on June 2, 1851. Backed by this legislation, Dow returned to Portland and summarily cleaned up the city, despite some opposition.

With the passage of the "Maine Law" his reputation as a temperance reformer became worldwide. Extensive speaking tours throughout the North followed, and in 1853 he served as president of the World's Temperance Convention in New York City. Again elected mayor of Portland in 1855, he was scarcely in office when the "June riot" occurred, the work of elements within the city hostile to prohibition. In the reaction which followed the "Maine Law" was repealed by the legislature, but the popular sentiment of the state was in favor of prohibition and in 1858, the date of the present letter, it was again enacted.

In 1857, at the request of the United Kingdom Alliance, Dow had visited England and lectured widely on prohibition.