State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-22
REPORT.
To The House of Representatives /:
A. l.. MIN FIR, CLVRK.

REPORT.
To The House Of Representatives:
Your Committee TO whom were referred sundry memo
rails praying that the traffic and manufacture of ardent
spirits may be nterdcted by law, respectfully report
That they have cndeavored give the subject assigned
them for consideration, that deliberate and careful en-
animation which its acknowledged Importance, and the
many and serious embaassments with which is attended,
obviously required. And while they prepared to
recommend to this Legislature the enactment of prohi
bitoy law, they would nevertheless by
vert the position assumed by the memoriaiss that the
evil complained offs proper and legitimate subject Of
legislative enactment.
The Only reason why your Committee forbear urging
entire change in the license law, at the present time,
is the want of adequate persuasion that the public
mind is prepared for SO decided measure. We would,
however, by MEANS be understood TO affirm that the
public mind is not thus prepared The memorials, both
from their number, and the responsibility of the
attached to them evnce that this subject extensive
and most happy change has been effected in the feelings
and views Of the community. But STILL in view Of the very
serious evils of cpitae legislation, deem advsa
bic TO recommend reference of the subject future
legislature And do it with strong hope and indeed
with confident expectation that the friends Of this most
important and desirable REFORM will then furnish satisac-
tory evidence that the change is decidedly called for
and will be electually sustained by public sentiment
In support of the opinion which we have advanced that
prohibition of the traffic in spurious liquors, except for
medicinal and other Legitimate purposes expcdient and
necessary we beg leave to call your attention to
grave, and in view, conclusive considerations. With
regard TO guilt and the evils of ntemperance there can
be controversy; and in any representation which
be made the subject there is little danger of exaggera
ton. 1t the most fruitful source Of and wretch
edness There is interest of man, regarded an in
vidual viewed in any of his relations civil social or
religious, which is not warred upon and subvecd by this
vice Who does not know that is the parent OF disease
in multiplied forms, and that in the sad work of cutting
short human life neither war, pesence famine,
sustain comparison with the ravages OF this fell destroy
err it only occasions in its victims temporary de-
rangcment of the mind, but equal to all other
Sui vprciOn Ofr md
half of the tenants OF hospitals for the insane, have
become maniacs through inemperance. Who is q stran-
Ger TO the mental and moral debasemen which produ-
ges? Who does not know how often it renders man Il
brute, and almost flendhoW often it converts the do
nestle circle, the appropriate seat of JOY and love, into
OF dlscod and hate, subectng the wife and children
not only TO poverty and want TO cold and hunger and
rags; but outrage and cruelty? Who is not aware
how directly it leads to poverty, that he would need no
gift Of prophecy TO be able to orte the beggary which
the man who is becoming enslaved by this vice will by
and by subject himself? 1t is this cause that a vast pre-
ponderance of the pauperism which burdens the public
owes its existence Who is ignorant of the preparation
for every species crime from petty larceny up to
Of atrocious violence done to persons and life, which
incompetence occasions, by degrading the intellect par
azng the conscience, bunting the kinder feelings Of
the heart and often firing the passions with violent and
unnatural excitement? Hence, in nearly quite nine
out of ten the murders perperated through the
country their commission the Of ardent spirits;
and other crimes spring from the same in nearly
:, the proportion.
and its consequent evils be efectualy removed? Your
committee believe that this desirable object can be
ed only by introduction OF the traffic. except for purpos
es before specified. 1t is position which experience
establishes beyond doubt controversy that the ordinary
and the abuse of ardent spirits are, mseparabe. AS
long the article employed as means of cxhlcraon
refreshment, so long appetite will be created the
ngs of which will be INDUCED in defiance of consequent
ces, and TO wide extent in spite Of every effort pre-
venon the drunkards habits and and woes and ruin
will continue TO annoy and alct the public With just
much reason may we cherish the anticipation that any
maxim Of mathematical TRUTH any principle of physical
science will prove false, that this position shall be found
untrue. But long the article is offered for sale in
and Everns to the inemperae the hope is Wis
onary and idle, that it will not be bought and consumed
and produce its legitimate and melancholy effects The
alurements of opportunity and temptation will be too
powerful for those who already under the dominion of
depraved appetite; and others, especially the young,
bent pleasure, and reckless of consequences,
awake TO its ruinous tendency will indulge themselves in
drinking until they have fastened upon themselves the
bonds Of an memorable and fatal habit The traffic,
then, must be done away with the vice of inemper
ance with its sad train of evils must be endured.
But who will suppose that the vending of spirituous
liquors be prevented without legal prohibition
There communitV who regardless of