Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-03
January. 8, 1888.

49, - = ! particular clause in the lst article
ofthe coustiiution which guarantees to each
individual, protection in seeking property or
h.nn;Y. ess he then reasons with himself
,hps. licensed rum-sellers have q consti-
,u,;onal right TO tempt me TO drink rum, but
nave no constitutional right TO pay the
money I have earned for the rum they offer
FOR sale. He reasons little further; If,
men have right to pursue happiness and to
accumulate property, why not let ere7y one
sell who pieases, and what right has the
Legislature 10 exact a certain amount OF
money before the yender can senf Ana
why not have n right TO pursue happiness,
by drinking when think | needHf see
not whv III the constitution guarantees to
each one The right 10 pursue and obtain hap
niness1 / must be deprived the privilege Of
seeking happiness in the way which best
suits me. A bystander says TO him: If you
would use strong drink rtenperatety you
could have the privilege of using it. But it
is for the good Of your family that the town
authority has deprived you the privilege oil
using and squandering the property you
have earned: and moreover they have,
desire for your welfare, and think that by
taking this course you will be led 10 reflect
and become a sober and useful man.
The Legislature has wisely provided
law. giving town authorities this power, that
when a man becomes intemperate, his wife
and children shall not suffer from poverty,
nor the husband and father be without
maintenance. Says the other: II the Lee
Qislature is so humane, and so DESTROYS Of
promoting the welfare Of the people Of this
State, why does il not go 10 the fountain
head, and stop the ruinous stream before II
gets so broad that il cannot be stayed? Oh,
The reply is, the constitution will not ad-
NIT Of it,--for you know that it would be
abridQing the natural, inherent and inaliena-
bic rights Of many respectable and infueH-
fiaI citizens, depriying them Of the privilege
Of using strong drink temporarily. The
other replies, these respectable aud in
fuehiidl citixensn are the men who have
ruined me- The day uds, when / cared
not for strong drink; but / was enticed by
the Influential, temperate drinkers, and
now that appetite has become ungovernable,
our kind rulers say shall be deprived, and
yet they suffer the temptation and the
tempter still 10 vex me.
Away with such inconsistencies. Talk
not to me Of such consultation. The rea-
son Of child would teach sounder doctrine
than this. What say you MIR. Dee?
Let Us now sec how the rum traffic oper
ates for raising revenue. A man is not
permitted 10 sell BY small measure, unless
he pays q certain sum Of money for the
benefit Of community. If each one has
right 10 pursue what course he pleases, to
accumulate property, why not let each one
that pledses, sell lrithom license, and then
assess him as merchants and mechanics are
assessed, according to his apparent gain by
the trathc2 1 suppose it will not be max
ing TOO high an estimate, to say that for
each dollar paid for license to sell intoxi-
eating liquors, one hundred dollars is taken
from The public purse?
/ shall pursue this point no further. for it
must readily be seen that il would be
short sighted policy to license rum|selhng
for the benefit Of government, or communi-
ty. But does this look like giving each and
every man the privilege Of pursuing what
occupation or calling he pleases, to increase
his wealth or enjoyment2
Twill now ask you few questions, and
close this communication.
Will you be so good as togiVe the public
through the medium Of the Vermont Tele-
graph, your viewssof the 9th article OF The
lst chapter Of the constitution OF this state
The section reads thus: " That the people
ofthis State, BY their legal representatives
have the sole, inherent and eretuslre right
Of governing and regulating the internal
police Of the same"
Will youalso explain the following clause
ofthev7th sec. Of the same chapter2 "Tha
GOVERNMENT is or ought 70 be, instituted fo
the common benefit, protection and security
Of the people, nation or community, and no
for the particular emolument or advanIag,
Of any single man, family, or SET Of men
who are a part only Of that community"
And will you tell the public whether yo'
think the rum-traffic beneficial TO the una
iority Of community
viii you also give US your views OF IN
18th section Of chapter 1st 2 That fire
quent recurrence 10 fundamental principle:
and a firm adherence to justice, moderation
temperance, industry and frugality, are al
soIliteIy accessory TO preserve the blessing
Of liberty, and keep government free: ID
people ought therefore, 20 pay pdrticuL0
attention 70 these points,. in the choice {
officers and representatives, and have
right in a legal way, to exact a due an
constant regard to them from their legistt
tors, and magistrates in making and ea'
citinr such laws as are necessary for Il
good government OF the Siate.n .-..z
will YOU tell Us whether the use Of i
toxicating liquors as a common drink caus
men 20 adhere 10 justice7 Whether
makes them industrious aud frugal 2
And IL a 6rm adherence 10 justice, moder
Iion. temperance, industry and frugaliiy a
Absolutely necessary TO preserve the bles
ings OF liberty, and 10 keep government FRI
is the selling of intoxicating liquors 10
used as common drink, necessary z
Please answer the foregoing questions, a
YOU viii receive the thanks Of z ..r.s .
- sHsfR. . J, HoLcoMB.
NorE.-Inmy compliment to you, / stat
that where the temperate drinking Of into
eating liquors was praciiced, drunkenn,
was its handmade and sure companion
This you say is not true, and then ment
;nd;y;dnal cases of temneraIe drinkers N