Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-09-28
From the Hon. Myron Lawrence Of Mass.

Dear Sir Yours inviting me 10 parlci-
pate in the deliberations Of a Stale Temper.
ance Convention, to be holden at Middlebu-
nv, Sept 6. was duly received have en-
deavored 10 dispose Of my engagements, that
might conveniently attend, but find that |
cannot must therefore, forego the honor
and pleasure Of being personally present.
Many considerations incline me TO accept
the invitation Middlebury is my native
pace--it is the scene oil my childhood and
youth. There were implanted my earliest
impressions-lherew were formed my earliest
and most endeaIing associations At her
literary fountains, ! began TO drink OF the
waters Of learning. and on her classic
grounds, to walk the groves of science
often inquire. where are the companions OF
my childhood, and the associates of my
youthful days ? Most Of them have aban-
doned the home Of their infancy. and the
scenes Of their youth Some OF them, by
continuing in the ways of wcll-doing, have
attained TO honorable distinction, to high Of.
| ica! stations. and to extensive usefulness
Some. by yielding to the temptations by
which they have been assailed. have fallen
/ from their high estate, defeated the hopes Of
their friends, and brought ruin upon them
selves. Some, indeed, and shudder at the
mention of them. have surrendered them
selves to the vleSt Of seducers. the ntoxi-
eating bowl and prosIItuted the morning Of
their life TO debauchery and drunkenness.
and now ill the inebriaie's louihsome grave
Rare talents, high auainments. unspo,ted
regulations. and bright hopes have al been
sacrificed at the filthy shrine of in,eInper-
ancc
The cause sir in which you are engaged
is nn noble one. Ii commends itself TO the
best feelings Of The patriot and Christian
Every one who is reclaimed, is the gain Of
sober citizen 10 our country. Every one,
who thus enlists heartily in this work, gives
the sures, promise Of usefulness through life
He surtendeTs, at once and forever. the cords
that lead most Of the incorporate to wan,
and disgrace. and draw them down 10 fierce
pcrdilion. What other cause has produced
such immense mischiess, such enormous
crimes, such poverty. wre,chedness. dcgra-
daiion, and hopeless destruction of body and
soul, as lntemperance IL is the chief
source OF crime. and suffering. and guilt
IL is the corner stone ofthe temple OF Belial
Remove this, and the edi6ce will touer; de.
sIroy it utterly, and it will fall 10 rise no
more.
Moral suasion is the most efIectual RENE.
dy 10 behalf OF the Temperance cause.
Convince men OF the wickednrss of rum sci.
ling and drinking, and most will abandon
H. Create an enlightened public sentiment,
on the subject ; render 1t dishonorable to in
dnlge, and all, who justly appreciate public
opinion, who value their reputation and
character. will become Temperance men
But is this enough What will YOU do
with this remainder. whom argument, aud
persuasion, and regard to decency, will
no, influenced Shall they be permitted TO
keep open this well OF pollution Shall
they be protected in disseminating poison
and pesIIlence through the community -
Shall the manufacturers and vendors OF spir.
It's be projected in their soul DESTROYING traf.
fc by license laws thus giving TO them n
monopoly OF crime and death They
have no right 10 do so" And have we the
right to proiec, ourselves and little ones from
this arch destroyer2 The RICH, Of sellde.
fence is paramount TO all other rights. and i'll
II VIII not protect us from the embraces Of
the drunkard, and the fouler articles of the
drunkard maker, let us talk no more of in.
alienabe rights. The Legislature of Mas. I
sachusel,s, moved thereto by numerous me-
MORALS, and the immense importance oftbe !
subject by almost unexampled majorilies at
their last session, prohibited the sale OF ar.
dent spirit as drink, in less quantities than !
fifteen gallons. The law created, as was
expected. great excitement among the inter.
ested, the dealers aud the drinkers but il |
will, nevertheless. be sustained by the intel |
ligent candid and sober portion OF the com.
munity. Respectfully,
NJ. LAWRENCE.
Hon. WILLIAM SLADE
The Convention then listened TO very |
animated address from SAMUEL CHIpMAN, |
Esq, MIR. Chapman had just finished an ex.
animation of three counties in n. Y. TO find |
the proportion Of deaths caused by intern
perance, The array of facts which he pres.
enled was truly startling. Much as the
drunkard's death list has been examined,
no man was prepared for his conclusions
llli driven to them by the stubborn force of
facts. No one felt that the work of Tenn.
perance was finished while such numbers
were going to the drunkord's grave. AID.
Journed TO o'clock on Friday.
FRIDAY MORNING, 8 o'oLocK
Met pursuant to adjournment. The dis.
cussIon OF the subject Of the preceding day
was continued by the same speakers. to.
gelher with Messrs. BoTTum, SPENCER and
CALENDER. Varioes methods were pro.
possed, but all were united and decided ON
the right and necessity of prohibiting the
traffic in Ardent Spirits.