Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-09-11

the names of sundry citizens OF Massa-
chusetts, and not few from other states.
Il became necessary therefore for the /
friends of temperance to present their
counter memorials Excluding females
from the calculation, who were uuani-
mously in favor Of the law, prodigious
majority oil signers opposed its repeal.
While it is exceedingly difficult to per-
ceive the advantages of submitting mat
ter like this 10 the decision oftowns, it re-
quires no uncommon skill to point out
some OF the evils, which must srise among
its immediate and inevitable consequences.
But. in the very outset, il may not be
amiss to enquire il such course be not
unusual and supplementary. Repre-
sentatives, selected for their superior fit
ness for the work, are commissioned by
the people, to make them good and whole.
some laws and it is perfectly understood
and agreed, that perfect obedience shall
be yielded 10 such laws, when they are
made, unless they are unconstitutional,
which can never be presumed, but must
be decided, if question arise, not by the
people, but by the judicial tribunals Of the
land. These law makers assemble to-
gether; they are paid for their work -
they pass laws and then, like the shoe
maker, when he brings home his work,
they say TO their employer, Eve have
done our best. you can try the articles,
and will take them. If they suit yow p
| 1t is said, that we have precedents for
this species of legislation. This entire
ly deny. To be sure, we have laws,
which leave the power with towns TO de-
eide annually, if cattle shall be permitted
to 60 at large, or not. We have also,
game laws. which leave the power with
towns to decide, if certain birds and fish
shall be destroyed within their respective
limits. But there is not the smallest anal.
ogy between these cases they are not IN
pari naateria. There is good and plain
reason for referring these matters to the
decision of towns from year to year The
: scarcity or abundance of heritage, of birds,
I and of fishes. are matters of which le-
/, glslature cannot prospectively Judge
The question here is, not if cattle shall 90
at large, but if the destroyers of their lei
low men shall go at large, fully equipped
= for the work of destruction. The cues
ton IS not if few partridges and 2ickereI
r shall be annihilated but if the bodies and
:, souls OF our fellow creatures shall be de.
stroyed.
! Ii there be any subject for grave and
universal Legislation it is this one. Ifrhe
9 prohibition be not applicable to every
: part of commonwealth, it is not applica-
= bic to any part. If we admit necessity OF
i prohibition, because the traffic in intoxi-
d eating liquor has ever been, and, as we
r believe. ever will be, productive of infin.
t. itely multiplied and diversified crime and
', misery, how can grave legislature
$. while engaged in passing a law for the
l. prohibition OF this terrible evil, permit i
IS TO Continue in any one town in the com
I'd monwealth, where majority of mad mer
E. may be found If the free and familia
E. employment or bowie knives, should be
n. come productive of murderous conse
v quences in state, what should we thinl
I'd OF a law prohibiting their use, unless il
OF towns, where a majority should other
n wise decide ! Is it not grievous to con
In template the case of a town, containin,
n flve hundred voters in favor of this law
s. and five hundred opposed to it-fve hun
On dred In favor OF peace and rational happ
1t ness, and five hundred in favor of rur
nj and riot-they assemble at the polls: b
to the exertions of the rum party, one add
tlonal drunken voter is supported 10 tn
of ballot box; he deposites his suffrage; an
to thus the peace and harmony of this Who'll
,of village is disturbed for twelve months, B
es the cote of a single Uaga6ond.
ID. Nothing can be more revolving thai
av the picture of such commonwealth. dis
re figured with its antitemperance towns
to like huge leprous spots upon its surface
ed Besides, my dear sir, it is impossible /
lot avert ones eyes from the gIaring oppres
uf sion and injustice of such an arrange
ne ment. Let me suppose a case. Her
Is. are four towns, which, under the opera
sr. ton of the supposed law, have voted. wit
Is singular unanimity, that intoxicating 4
n quor shall not be. sold within their BOZ
he ders. Their worthy inhabitants hay
he congratulated themselves upon their eS
re- emption from the horrors of this intolera
ra- Bile traffic for twelve months at least. :
,ut They are soon advised, that village. in
* significant as to size and population, bu
f a situated in the very centre Of the grour
,ty has voted in favor of the traffic. TIL
oh consequences are felt Immediately, an
as throughout the year. Thither the til
ill piers of these four towns repair, an
as. thence they return intoxicated, to thei
D. wives and children. bringing with Their
Of IN most cases, their weekly SUPPLY
snt Hence arises domestic evil of somewhs
lie. novel character. Under the old regim
its Inc power OF anjsatl0B was performed ;
20 the dramshon. the VIII. and children ,,,er