|
|
|
|
THE BLUE RIBBON ARMY
|
||
|
By Sir Henry Baker (AKA Jim McUsic) |
||
|
In The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
reference is made to a “blue ribbon.” Jim Browner, the perpetrator of
the gruesome murders, remarks in his confession that “I was blue ribbon
at the time,” and “I broke my blue ribbon.” Also, Susan Cushing said
“That was before he (Jim Browner) broke the pledge.” These statements,
when read in the context of the story, obviously refer to an organization
dedicated to aid alcoholics in recovering from the effects of Demon Rum. |
||
|
Alcoholism was a serious problem during the Victorian era. Liquor was cheap (especially gin), and it was one of the few affordable comforts from the hard manual labor which most of the British population had to endure. This led to rampant drunkenness and chronic alcoholism, especially among the working classes. |
||
|
Although the pastors of many of the churches in Britain (especially the nonconformist congregations) tried to persuade their parishioners to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, their general theme was that drinking was a sin. If you drank, or sold liquor, you were morally depraved. |
||
|
A different approach was taken by a Francis Murphy
(1836-1907). Murphy was born in Ireland, and emigrated to the United
States at the age of 16. He worked as a tavern keeper in Maine, where he
experienced at first hand the evils of drink. A spell in prison caused him
to “see the light,” and sign the temperance pledge. His role as “The
Reformed Rumseller” attracted many to hear him speak at public meetings.
Unlike many of his fellow temperance campaigners, Murphy did not condemn
liquor-sellers out of hand as evil or depraved men, but as respectable (if
misguided) businessmen, who should be argued with “in kindness and
love.” Drinkers, too, should be dealt with sympathetically in a spirit
of Christian charity. He called on his followers to sign this pledge: |
||
|
With malice toward none, with charity for all; I the undersigned, do pledge my word and honor (God helping me) to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and that I will, by all honorable means, encourage others to abstain. |
||
|
This “school of gospel temperance” soon became an enormous success, and Murphy traveled far and wide spreading the good word. For example, in Pittsburgh, 65,000 of the 400,000 population signed the pledge after a three-month campaign. It was here that Murphy adopted the blue ribbon badge, inspired by a verse from the Book of Numbers of the Old Testament: “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make fringes in the borders of their garments…and that they put upon the fringe a ribband of blue…that you may look upon it, and remember the commandments of the Lord, and do them.” |
||
|
Soon the blue ribbon badge was being worn from Washington to San Francisco. The state of Kansas went so far as to prohibit alcohol altogether. A visiting Briton named William Noble saw the success of the movement in 1877 and established a “Blue Ribbon Army” upon his return to London. Several Americans, including Murphy’s son, crossed the Atlantic to advance the cause. |
||
|
Later, Murphy himself returned to the British Isles. Working initially in northern England and Scotland, he met with the same rousing success that he had achieved in the United States. Thousands came to hear him, take the pledge and wear the blue ribbon. He later campaigned in Manchester, Norwich and Dublin before returning to the United States. He also visited Canada and Australia to promote abstinence . |
||
|
A convert by the name of McGonagall wrote a 13-stanza poem commemorating Murphy and his cause, entitled “A Tribute to Mr. Murphy and the Blue Ribbon Army.” I will not subject the reader to more than one verse: |
||
|
|
||
|
All hail to Mr. Murphy, he is a hero brave, |
||
|
That has crossed the mighty Atlantic wave, |
||
|
For what purpose let me pause and think— |
||
|
I answer, to warn the people not to taste strong drink. |
||
|
|
||
|
(Thirteen stanzas of such “poetry” are. enough to make you “break your ribbon” and head for the nearest pub!!) |
||
|
|
||
