Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-04-12

APPEAL
sH APPEAL
To the Inhabitsnts Of the town of shore.
ham, ON the subject OF Temperance.

AFFEAA
To the Inhsbitsnt. Of the town of Shores
ham, ON the subject OF Temperance.
It is well known to you all, that, for
more than three years, have been siren
uously engaged in this cause. have
done what seemed to me to be my duty.
The want Of influence have endeavored
to supply by exertion, concluding that the
evils of intemperance were so manifest,
that ifthe subject was kept in agitation,
sooner or later, correct views would settle
upon the minds of most people for ] be-
lieVe it hardly possible for men to think
upon the subject, without coming to the
conclusion that something ought to be
done, and that speedily, 10 put stop to
the manufacture Of drunkards.
The question has been so many times
asked, "vhy should be so much engag.
ed, and should be continually NEEDING
with other peoples business" that now
propose to lay before you my reasons In
so doing, cannot well avoid using plain
language, and will say that in my belief,
there was not more intemperance in Shore
ham than in most other towns. | pnr-
pose to cast no reflections on the intem-
perate; for they were made so through
ne influence Of moderate drinkers and
bad customs.
Eight years ago, all our merchants
were retailing ardent spirits. We had
also as many as five taverns in town.
The custom oftreating & furnishing spir-
its to laborers was then nearly universal
Then il was computed that more than
5000 gallons Of spirits were annually sold
in this town, containing about 1000 in
habitants. There were, in the town,
more than 80 persons who bore the name
Of drunkards, and sure signs that others
were fast preparing themselves to become
such. A large number ofthe vendors Of
spirits, since the town was settled, who
continued in the business over two or
three years, have become decidedly Intem-
peTate. Several have been made delirious
by II. The first rum-seller | ever knew,
got me 20 intoxicated, when but two years
old, that for twelve hours it was doubtful
whether should ever awake. Both him
self and wife became drunkards.
Could l look forward unmoved at the
prospect of society and posterity2 Many
then in the broad road would soon become
drunkards. But light had already dawn
ed upon us-the temperance cause had
commented Yet something more was
to be done, or it was certain that fresh sup
plies of drunkards would be made. For
three or four years Itried to have the store
keepers stop selling by the dram, and to
dissuade people from treating. Spirits
were used less, but the dram shops con
tinued. 1 finally made up my mind, about
three years ago, that it was my duty to
make much greater exertions. Having
failed TO excite attention, determined tc
exhibit the enormity Of intemperance
and at public meeting | openly declared
that there were thirteen or fourteen drunk
ards, or hard drinkers, in one district
This declaration brought me into notice
yet no one. to my knowledge, has denieC
the truth Of the assertion. The situation
ofthat district. as well as Of most others il
the town, is now very different. Abou
that time the new license law went int
operation, and merchants stopped retailing
in town. But that act was repealed, ant
the retailing Of spirits was again renewed
and continued for season.
Now to see a traffic continue, which
had made, in former days, more than ,
fourth part Of my seniors as well as man,
OF the companions Of my youth intemper
ate-which l was persuaded was prepar
ing many more good citizens for the sam
conoInon, and which, if prosecuted, no
only l. Dat every intelligent man bsliere,
would PtrPetuGte TO Shoreham n eoustau
supply OF inebriates,-was more than
could look upon unmoyed.
Therefore arrayed myself aoa;ns, rum
selling and rum-drinking with renswe
ardor. / denounced them both in seaso
and out Of season; both in public and |;
private. purchased and distributed ter
perance papers, tracts and periodicals :
Thus have continued to agitate the su,
ject m conjunction with other friends
the canse. Ihave seldom applied epithe
Co the intsmperate man. Ifthere is blau
Anywhere, the moderate drinker is
much to blame as the drunkard, and Il
rum-seIler more, The moderate drink
beiievss, that, II others follow his exampl
some will becomedruukards Who th'
Is most 10 blame9 The gender, most &c
tainly. because he, for the sake Of gal
sells that which As beliepes viii injure m
fny.ofhis customers, and cause some
them % become drunlxards The drum
sgd,. when he commences drinking, thin
ne shall not use spirits to excess; and