Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-03-24

son. Brewster Sanford, FAIRBANKS, ClouSh,
eaton, Richmond of Derby, Howe of Lunen-
burg, Adams of Grand Isle, and Cady, toI
whom was referred the memorial OF certain IN
habitan,s of Thetford, demonstrating against IL
censing the sale of ardent spirits, and sundry
other memorials on the same subject, made the
following Report, which was ordered 10 be laid
on the table, and five hundred copies printed
A. L. MINER, Clerk.
REPORT.
To The House of Representatives.:
Your Committee to whom were referred
sundrv memorials, praying that the traffic
and manufacture of ardent spirits may be
ip,erdicted by law, respectfully report:-That
thew have endeavoredt to give the subject as
stoned them for consideration, that dellber-
ute and careful examination which Its &C,
knowledgod Importance, and the many ana
serious embarrassments with winch u Is at
tended, obviously required. And while they
are not prepared 10 recommend to TINS Leg
islature the enactment oil prohlbltory law,
thew would, nevertheless, by no means con
troyert the position assumed by the memoir
alists. that the evil complained OF is proper
and legitimate subject Of legislative enact
ment.
The only reason why your Committee for
bear urging an entire change IN the license
law. at the present time is the want OF an
adequate persuasion that the public mind is
nrennred for so decided measure. we
would, however, by no means affirm that the
public mind is not thus prepared. The me-
MORALS, both from their number, aud the re-
spectabilty of the names attached TO them,
evince that on this subject an extensive and
most bappy change has been effected in the
feelings and views Of the community. But
still. in view of the very serious evils OF pre-
cipitate legislation, we deem IL advisable TO
recommend reference OF the subject to
future legislature. And we do 1t with
stronr hone, aud indeed with a confident ex-
pectation that the friends Of this most mpor-
tant and desirable reform, will then furnish
satisfactory evidence that the change is deci-
dedly called for, and will be eiiectually sus-
tanned 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, Is expedlent ana
necessary, we beg leave TO call your atten-
ton TO some grave, and IN our view, conciu'
sive considerations. With regard TO the
guilt and the evils of intemperance, there can
be no controversy; and in any representa-
ton which can be made on this subject there
is little danger of exaggeration II is the
most fruitful source Of crime and wretched
ness. There is no interest Of man, regarded
ms an individual; or viewed in any OF his re-
Iations, civil, social, or religious, which is
not warred upon by this vice. Who does
not know that it is the parent OF disease IN
multiplied FORMS and that in the sad work oil
cutting short of hunan life, neither war, pes
thence nor famine, can sustain comparison
with the ravages of this Destroyer 1t moi
only occasions in It's victims temporary de
rangenenl of the mind, but TO an extent equa
10 all other causes, ensures permanent sub
version oi.reason; and one hall OF the tenant:
of hospitals for the insane, have become ma
MACS through intemperance. who Is
stranger to the mental and moral debasemen
i, produces2 Who does not know how OF
ten it renders man brute, and almost {
fend-bow often it converts the domestic
circle the appropriate seat OF JOY and love
into a scene Of discord and hate, subjecting thu
wife and children not only to poverty ant
want, 10 cold and hunger and rags; but Il
outrage and cruelty2 Who is not awar
how directly it leads 10 poverty, so that h
would need no gift of prophecy TO be able Il
foretell the beggary to which the man who
becoming enslaved by this vice, will by an
by subject himself? 1t is TO this cause tina
vast preponderance ofthe pauperisln whic
burdens the public owes its existence. VIII
is ignorant of the preparation for every SIP,
cies of crime from petty larceny up to ACT
of atrocous violence done to persons and lif'
which intemperance occasions by degradn
the intellect, paralyzing the conscience, blum
ing the kinder feelings OF the heart, and oite
firing the passions with violent and unna
ural excitement2 Hence, in nearly or quit
nine cases out of ten, the murders perpetr'
ted through the country owe their commits
sion TO the use of ardent spirits; and othe
crimes spring from the same source in nea
ly the same proportion.
The question then presents itself-Ho
can this vice and its consequent evils be {
fectualv removed2 Your committee belie'
that this desirable object can be secured on
by an Introduction OF the traffic, except f
purposes before specified. 1t is positio
which experience establishes beyond dou
or controversy that the ordinary use and Il
abuse of ardent spirits are, nseparable.
long as the article is employed as a mea
of exhieration or refreshment, so long apr
tite will he created, the craving of which W
be INDUCED in defiance of consequences, a.
TO wide extent, in spite of every effort
prevention, the drunkards habits and vic
and woes and ruin will continue to ann