In 1851, the License Law having been arbitrarily repealed a few years before, there was practically no regulation of the liquor business, nor was there any such public sentiment against intemperance as exists at the present day.  Drunkenness was not looked upon as an especial disgrace and there had been little agitation of the question.  The wife of a drunkard was completely at his mercy.  He had the entire custody of the children, full control of anything she might earn, and the law did not recognize drunkenness as a cause for divorce.  Although woman was the greatest sufferer, she had not yet learned that she had even the poor right of protest.  Oppressed by the weight of the injustice and tyranny of ages, she knew nothing except to suffer in silence; and so degraded was she by generations of slavish submission, that she possessed not even the moral courage to stand by those of her own sex who dared rebel and demand a new dispensation.

The old Washingtonian Society of the first half of the nineteenth century, composed entirely of men, because reformed drunkards only could belong to it, was succeeded by the Sons of Temperance, and these had permitted the organization of subordinate lodges called Daughters of Temperance, which, as subsequent events will show, were entitled to no official recognition.  It was in one of these, the only organized bodies of women known at this time,[12] that Miss Anthony first displayed that executive ability which was destined to make her famous.  During 1851 she was very active in temperance work and organized a number of societies in surrounding towns.  She instituted in Rochester a series of suppers and festivals to raise the funds which she at once saw were necessary before any efficient work could be done.  An old invitation to one of these, dated February 21, 1851, and signed by Susan B. Anthony, chairman, reads:  “The entertainment is intended to be of such a character as will meet the approbation of the wise and good; Supper, Songs, Toasts, Sentiments and short speeches will be the order of-the evening; $1 will admit a gentleman and a lady” A newpaper account says: 

The five long tables were loaded with a rich variety of provisions, tastefully decorated and arranged.  Mayor Samuel Richardson presided at the supper table.  After the repast was over, Miss Susan B. Anthony, Directress of the Festival and President of the Association, introduced these highly creditable sentiments, which were greatly applauded by the assemblage: 

“The Women of Rochester—­Powerful to fashion the customs of society, may they not fail to exercise that power for the speedy and total banishment of all that intoxicates from our domestic and social circles, and thus speed on the day when no young man, be he ever so genteelly dressed or of ever so noble, origin, who pollutes his lips with the touch of the drunkard’s cup, shall presume to seek the favor of any of our precious daughters.

“Our Cause—­May each succeeding day add to its glory and every hour
give fresh impetus to its progress....”