In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Initiative and Self-Improvement

A desire to improve one’s lot and see the world wasn’t restricted to boys going to sea.

In 1822, a group of young men in Hallowell, anxious to improve their minds, organized the Franklin Debating Society. Mostly apprentices, they met one night a week after working a 12-hour day, and wrote compositions, essays, reports and poems, performed dialogs, enacted scenes from plays and debated. Their meetings extended over four years, and their papers were eventually donated to the Hubbard Free Library.

The questions posed by the members of the the Society provide a unique insight into the social, political and cultural issues which were of interest to the people of Maine in the early 19th century. Some of their debate topics and votes might surprise us today.

Is it possible that the United States will become two or more nations? (Yes)
Is the encouragement of lotteries beneficial to the community? (No)
Ought a minister of the gospel interfere with politics? (No)
Was the late war between the United States and Great Britain beneficial to the former? (No)

The next step in our journey.