Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-12-26

in the decalogue, then they say, make your
own laws on that subject. Now | would
ask whether, it being acknowledged that the
license laws are injurious TO the commune
ty, and likewise that il would be cons,ltu-
tional to do them away, there is not seri-
Gus fault somewhere? / would not be Sc
we're with the representatives, nor with the
temperance people, but do feel that some
thing ought to be done, and that immedi
ately?
l would therefore suggest that measures
be taken to have the subject presented to
the people in all the towns in the State dur
ing the present winter. A resolution was
passed at the State Temperance Convention,
in Middebury, last September, by strong
ma ority, that measures be taken to have
petitions circulated throughout the whole
State, asking the then next Legislature to
prohibit the common traffic in all intoricot-
ing liquors as drink, by such penalties as
that body might deem proper or expedient
When the memorial was drafted, the stand
ard was lowered, so that the memorials read
for spirituous liquors. The Secretary af-
terward informed me that he was not aware
of the alteration, not having the resolution
under his eye at the time he drafted the
form. We must all be convinced that drum
kenness existed to an alarming extent be-
fore the art of distilling was discovered
SO much SO that it brought forth the awful
denuncia;ion, ono Grunkard shall inherit
the kingdom Of heaven" And since those
days, in face Of all the laws which have
been enacted, sanctioning temperate drink
ing, and furnishing drunkenness, men have
followed each other in quick succession over
the rapids of intemperance into the dark
gulf Of destruction. This has prevailed
where ardent spirit was hardly known
Now if the object of temperance men is to
do away intemperance in intoxicating
liquors, why not have thorough going tenn
perance men appointed to lecture on that
subject, showing the people of this State
the utter ineffic.ency OF asking only for do
ing away ardent spirits as drink, in at
tempting to remove drunkenness? believe
the doctrine of total abstinence from all in
toxicating liquors as drink, will ''com-
mend itself to erery mans conscience" as
the only sure mode of effecting the object
desired. But whens conscience is right,
appetite may still prove to be master. If
the doctrine is right in itself, then preach it,
asking people to practice upon it from ri. hi
principle, and to ask the proper authority at
traffic in all intoxicating liquors. l believe
there is sufficient virtue in Vermont, when
! the subject shall have been fairly presented.
| to sustain all laws that may be good in
| themselves. And if the people now num-
bered IN the temperance ranks, had the cour-
| age and eaterprlZe Of Ethan Allen, or Gen.
Putnam, King Alcohol would soon be found
IN as sad predicament, and as defenceless
as was the Commander of the British force
| ID Iiconderoga on its being taken by the
brave Vermonters in the Revolutionary
war. The main thing is to face the enemy,
and tell him to stand-at least, that is one
thing which is necessary. Another is, to
drive the enemies, { in our own ranks out
into daylight, that you may see who are the
| true friends of the cause. Will not the
Secretary of the State Society, correspond
with the county or town societies, on the
| subject, and see whether measures eanno,
Immediately be adopted, to carry this or a
similar plan into effect? And will not the
editors of the different public journals in
this State Immediately give the substance Of
this proposition place in their columns
with such comments or alterations as they
shall think most beneficial to the cause
and thereby aid in stirring up the sleeping
energies of temperance men?
1t appears to me that now is the time t.
labor In this cause-that at the next session
OF the Legislature, The voice of the freemer
may thunder upon the ears of their repre
sentatlves, In tones that cannot be mistaken
saving, protect the helpless, suffering fe
male from this fell destroyef-cease maxim.
that legally right, which in itself is NOR
all WTong-cease rendering yourselves an,
f US the accessories 10 crimes of the deeDes
dye-cease meriting the reproach that you
are not ready TO protect the cause of virtu
6y wholesome laws,-aad above all, lie
1reemen say to their representatives, here i
your erade'1ce, now give US laws that will
go ahead OF other States on the subject q
intoxicating liquors. When this traffic shal
have ceased, then we may utter the senti
ment contained in the song of Deborah an
Barak, saying, "Praise We the Lord for tn
aVenglng of alcohol, when the people willing
ly offered themselves" "Hear, Owe kings
give ear Dye princes: !, even |, will sing unit
the Lord will sing praise to the Lor
God of Israel," Awake Deborah, utter
song: arise Barak, and lead thy captiyit
, captive,."
will close by asking those VINO NAV Sc
lit to speak in their papers on this subiec
to send me copy containing their views O
the question, and they will receive m
e thanks uo,oo,,
Brandon, Dec. 1888.
: }. q. ADAMS LETTER.-This letter as
stands, on the first page, headed with a
f observation of mine, goes with nv full an
! unreserved recommendations wbic
l. / r Il