Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-03-31


the old pledge. The resolution is Who'll
ly unnecessary on that ground. Then
whom do the gentlemen wish to conciIiate
by this resolution. They say they do not
drink wine and they do not ask US 10 pass
the resolution on their own behalf Who
is it that demands this resolution? There
is not man in this house that will ask 1t
on his own account. | am not advised of
a single member of the temperance society
is on bis own account opposed to the ex-
tension of the pledge. There are, how
ever, many out CT the. society, who are
ready to catch at division in the society,
so that they can get some to say wine AMI
beer may be drank. Was it for these
that the Temperance Society was formed!
Shall we seriously set ourselves to legis-
late to crafty such as these2
The truth is, sir, wine is the badge of
fashion, and here is the difficulty, fashion
able people are unwilling to forego the
bad ge. But do we intend 10 have two
classes Of laws, two scales of morals, two
IS of members, two degrees of purity,
one for the common people and another
for the fashionable? know the state Of
feeling in this city. And believe that it
is owing to misrepresentation proceeding
from this city, and growing out of the
discussion of last year, that the country
has been prejudiced against US. Since
that discussion, we have seen the strong
holds Of intemperance assailed, even here,
a. I
mention parties, and other occasions in
this city, where not one third, nor one fifth
as much wine was drank as used to be at
such times, AMI all owing to the discussion
last year If we could retain the Old
pledge, and still advance the cause |
could wish, for the sake of union, we
might do it, but do not see how it can be
done.
Mr. Leavitt slid. The convention is stu
ated as physician would be- when called
to prescribe for patient who persever-
ingIy refuses to tell his symptoms. Our
friends here in Albany want US to pre-
scribe and administer for their difficulties,
but they have not tod US the real symp-
toms The mover Of the resolutions tells
us ofalienation and division, but he care
fully avoids telling the ground Of that d.
vision. The brother from Troy alluded
to an unfortunate speech, or an expression
in a speech, at the last anniversary
! Surely, sir, all this difficulty has not
grown out Of remark dropped in debate
by an individual The temperance mer
Of Alb my, whom we hear 50 much prais
ed, are not going to desert the cause fol
that Bat | have heard something ofthi.
matter before, and am persuaded tina
even if we pass this resolution, it will no
heal the wound 1t does not touch thu
spot. | have traced the history of thi
wine quest n, and am sure that moth
ing will satisfy those who are now disco
tented, unless you rescind the resolution
of last year, directing the committee It
> take higher ground. And that will no
do, unless you GO on and rescind the res
olutions passed two years ago, aIowin!
the discussion Of the wine question in thu
IntelIigencer. And then you must g
farther, and pass a vote expressly declar
ing that you consider those who sign tn
: old pledge, and yet continue to drink win
= and beer to be ust as consistent, and jus
, as useful, and Just as good temperance me-
4 as those who abstain from all that will in
toxicate And that will not answer
The real disease lies deeper than all thi:
" No outside plaster ofsor words will hea
: it. The sore spot is IN THE MIND {
= the wine drinker He knows and fee
u that he is inconsistent, that he is self-ir
dulgent, that he is proud and self-willet
o that be is not doing as much to promoI
e temperance as he might, nor as much 1
n he ought. 1t is this that makes him III
= easy, and that makes him fretfuI and cal
e tious AMI cross, and unless you can chang
e the workings of his conscience, and CO.
= Uince himseLfthat he is as good tempe
Is ance man as his ne:ghbor who drink
1t cold water, you cannot satisfy him. n
- efforts at Cancellation will be Of any Sc
1t vice, unless you can reconcile these me
s. to themselves. And that you can nev'
ID do BY concession. The only thing tn
le can do that is to keep talking the truth
D love, till they abandon their unworth
a. course And therefore hope we sha
er pass the substitute, and let the old pledE
g go.
- Gerrt Smith explained an allusion
d, the 10000 inebrIates reclaimed, as me
7e toned in the American Society's repo1
re showing that they were not reclaimed u
he der the old pledge, but by the system
he total abstinence, accompanied with CORE
OF ponding effort on the part their friend
= Professor Potter wishel to make oil
Dc more effort at union, and therefore NOV
y a substitute for Mr. Smiths substitute,
II" published in our last paper. He fear
the exclusive recommendation OF the ne
a pledge would throw the apple of disco
in into all our societies. 1t will be the 81
ch nal tor the attempt every where to fol
ity new societies, and there will be coils:
= and endless strife, with two societies