Lincoln-Lee Legion
Encyclopedia
The Lincoln–Lee Legion was established by Anti-Saloon League
-founder Howard Hyde Russell
in 1903 to promote the signing of abstinence
pledges by children. The organization was originally called the Lincoln League, named after Abraham Lincoln
. However, in 1912 it was renamed the Lincoln–Lee Legion, adding a reference to Robert E. Lee
in order to make it more appealing to southern children and their parents.
The pledge called for a lifetime commitment to abstain from alcoholic beverages:
“Whereas, the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, degradation and crime; and believing it our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage“.
Pledge signing drives were heavily promoted at churches, Sunday schools, and temperance
meetings. Girls who signed the pledge were called “Willards,” after Frances Willard
of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Northern boys were called “Lincolns” and southern boys became “Lees.” By 1925, over five million children had signed the total abstinence pledge cards.
Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League was the leading organization lobbying for prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century. It was a key component of the Progressive Era, and was strongest in the South and rural North, drawing heavy support from pietistic Protestant ministers and their...
-founder Howard Hyde Russell
Howard Hyde Russell
Howard Hyde Russell was the founder of the Anti-Saloon League.Following a religious conversion, he gave up the practice of law to become a minister....
in 1903 to promote the signing of abstinence
Abstinence
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
pledges by children. The organization was originally called the Lincoln League, named after Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. However, in 1912 it was renamed the Lincoln–Lee Legion, adding a reference to Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
in order to make it more appealing to southern children and their parents.
The pledge called for a lifetime commitment to abstain from alcoholic beverages:
“Whereas, the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, degradation and crime; and believing it our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage“.
Pledge signing drives were heavily promoted at churches, Sunday schools, and temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
meetings. Girls who signed the pledge were called “Willards,” after Frances Willard
Frances Willard (suffragist)
Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard was an American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist. Her influence was instrumental in the passage of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution...
of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Northern boys were called “Lincolns” and southern boys became “Lees.” By 1925, over five million children had signed the total abstinence pledge cards.