The Washington Benevolent Societies (the "WBS") were grass-roots political clubs set up 1808-1816 by the

Federalist Party The Federalist Party was a Conservatism in the United States, conservative political party which was the first political party in the United States. As such, under Alexander Hamilton, it dominated the national government from 1789 to 1801. De ...

in the U.S. to electioneer for votes. As shown on the membership certificates printed within copies of "Washington's Farewell Address" that were issued to members, the first of these societies was "instituted in the City of New York, on the 12th day of July, 1808." The President of that first WBS was Isaac Sebring erhaps the Federalist merchant described in "The Old Merchants of New York City and Secretary was G. C. Verplanck (perhaps Guilan Crommelin Verplanck, Sr.). Societies were also formed in

Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...

in 1810, as the threat of warfare loomed. Citing a July 6, 1812 edition of the "Federalist" newspaper in New Jersey, it has been reported that: "Coinciding with the first state peace convention, the initial public appearance of the Washington Benevolent Society in New Jersey occurred in Trenton on July 4, 1812." The WBS helped pioneer electioneering techniques in a democracy. "The promise of participation in the parade and receipt of the badge of the Society had been used as part of the Trenton Society's membership drive, for the Federalists were interested in gaining as many members as possible." Ribbon badges with George Washington's portrait and the words "Pro Patria" ("For Country") printed on silk or vellum were issued to members of the Societies. "Silk ribbons bearing Washington's portrait issued by the society are among the earliest mass-produced partisan objects in American political history."Keith Melder, "Hail to the Candidate Presidential Campaigns From Banners to Broadcasts," p 65, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington & London (1992) Into the Age of Jackson, an oration on Washington's birthday, February 22, was commonly delivered before the Washington Benevolent Societies in various states, and sometimes it would be printed.

Notes

Secondary scholarly sources

* Harlan H. Ballard, "A forgotten fraternity," ''Collections of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society'' 3 (1900) pp 279–98. * David Hackett Fischer. ''The Revolution of American Conservatism: The Federalist Party in the Era of Jeffersonian Democracy'' (1976) {{authority control Political advocacy groups in the United States