Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-30


Of ardent spirits are, inseparable. As
long asfhe article Is employed as means
ofexhilaration or refreshment, so long ap-
petite will becreated. thecravings of which
will be INDUCED in defiance ofconsequen-
ees, and to wide extent, in spite of every
effort at prevention, the drunkard's habits
and vices and woes and ruin will continue
TO, annoy and affiict the public. With
just as much reason may we cherish the
anticipation that any maxim Of mathemat-
ical truth, or any principle OF physical
science will prove false. as that this posi-
ton shall be found untrue. But as long
as the article Is offered for sale in our
stores and taverns to the incorporate, the
hope IS visionary and idle, that it will not
be bought and consumed. and produce its
Legitimate and melancholy effects. The
alluremenis Of opportunity and temptation
will betOo powerful for those who are al.
ready under the dominion OF a depraved
Appetite and others, especially the young,
bent on pleasure, and reckless Of conse-
quences, or not awake to It's ruinous ten
-dency, willindulge themselves in drink
log. until they have fastened upon them
selves the bonds Of an memorable and fatal
habit. The traffic, then. must be done
away with, OF the vice Of intemperance,
with IL sad train OF evils, must be endur.
ed -r R
But who viii suppose that the vending
Of spirifn0us liquors can be prevented,
without q legal prohibition There are
men IN every community, who are re-
gardless Of the means by which they &C
quire gain: and ifthis traffic can be made
profitable, i viii be prosecuted, in spite Of
is nefarious character. Others, too, who
might be willing, and even rejoiced to re-
hnquish II, will still continue il, from the
apprehension that some Of those around
them, will in that case acquire an advan.
tage over them in their business highly
injurious in its results.
That the traffic is wrong, is a position
capsule OF the most satisfactory and un-
questionable proof We are to a wide ex-
tent. to estimate our conduct BY its tenden-
cies. And certainly a traffic which is
suited to foster and perpetuate and extend
one ofthe grossest and most noxious of all
the vices, which degrade, corrupt, afflict
and ruin mankind, cannot but be marked
with guilt And every man who vends
ardent spirit may rightfully be regarded
as an accessory before the fact to all the
evils which may be the result But ought
1t to be a Question with the Legislature of
community like ours whetherthey shall
continue TO give legal character to sin 2
Ought il TO be question whether we
shall still say to q numerous class Of indi-
viduals through the Staie-if you are
willing 70 pay for the privilege, we will
authorize you to engage in an employ
ment which cannot be carried on without
iniquity, and which may Justly be pro-
nounced, as il regards the public, spe-
cies Of political suicide.
Again, the sanction which the law
gives this traffic, ought to be Withdrawn,
in view Of its influence upon the senti-
ments and feelings Of large numbers in
the community. II renders intellectual alt
appeals TO the consciences and to the better
feelings Of very many of those engaged
in this noxious commerce. They shield
themselves from responsibility and blame,
beyond the license which they receive frem
Legislative authority To no purpose are
they told that their business is wrong,
while the stafnte-book prononnces it right.
And the inference is not remote nor an
obscure one. that if vending be right,
buying and consuming cannot be wrong.
Hence the license law operates in a man
ner most mischievous, affording quietus
to mems consciences with regard to the
course which they are pursuing; when,
ifthere were no law upon the subject, they
would be more open 10 conviction Of
their guilt; and more accessible TO induce
ments to reform. Your committee, how
, ever, would by no means contemplate
repeal ofthe existing law, without enact
! ing q substitute For while in one point
Of view. 4 sanctions and legalizes the traf
ic iu'arden spirits, inanothcr. il operates
as a Fcstraining statute. There is, we
are persuaded, less extensive sale of the
farticle than II all laws on the subject were
now done away The law, CARVING as
itdoes, the seal Of reprobation upon itself,
by the monopoly which il creates, and by
the explicit. declaration which II makes,
that the business Is such as cannot safely
be leR open, like ali useful employments,
to the entefprize and competition of the
whole com,nunity,--is still one which
canno,, without injury, Be dispensed with.
Such are the views and feelings Of 4 con-
siderable portion Of the public. created n
paHwsupprehend, Blythe existing law II.
SELL that II Il were repealed. the places !,
which intoxicating liquors are sold would
Be greatly multiplied; and prosecution a.
common law. followed by conviction and
punishmens. could not be expected for an
oct to which the statute had 50 long grant.
ed not ouly federation. but also q lepa
character In New-Orleans. not Ions
since. an analogous case existed. The
city authorities had long been in the prac
tice Of licensing gaming houses. and har