The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-06
For Me Voice Of FrecdJm


Mr.. Editor:-ln reading your editorial Of
the first No. of the Voice of Freedom
perceive you Intend the subject Of Temper
ance shall occupy prominent place in your
paper. That you esteem that sui ct as
one of great Importance is truly gratifying
to me, and doubtless is 10 all Of your
readers. There is yet great wcia 10 do TO
complete the Temperance reformation which
has been going on for few years past. A
large quantity Of ardent spirits is still annu-
ally consumed among US. Thousands are
now running their souls and bodies by the
use of alcoholic drinks. Families are made
miserable and wretched, and society still
suffers eedingly from intemperance. The
friends of the temperance cause then, should
no, relax in their exerlions, but persevese
until community is rid of this great evil
For this can never be accomplished but by
the exertions of the friends of temperance.
And, if we can have the aid of The Voice
of Freedom in this work, we shall consider
il valuable acquisition.
The advocates Of the Temperance cause
are now laboring under some rather serious
dtticulIies-the most prominent Of them is
in getting the people interested in the cause.
One reason why they do not more readily
become interested is, they have got an idea
that temperance has become N old story"
This remark Is very common one when
there is lecture or any o!hergetfJrt made
in behalf Of temperance. And on this ground
they excuse themselves for not attending
temperance meetings, and not otherwise
laboring in the cause. In the first place the
idea that temperance has got to be an old
story-worn out &c. is false; and in the
next place, il true, is no justification to the
individual who does not lend i, he ping
band. A very curious notion that mao is
not bound TO relieve his fellow man, be-
cause nobody can tell him his duty in a
dflerent manner than it has already been
labor in behalf of temperance, he has only
10 inquire his duty TO bis fellow man. II
he sees nan destroying his health and his
reason, he has only 10 Inquire whether it is
not his duty TO convince that man of his
error, and try TO reclaim him.
That temperance has got to be an old
story" is better phrase for the ignorant
than for mel of sense. The Temperance
cause is moral enterprise - instituted fer
the good of mankind. lnemperance is a
sin, and so denominacd in Holy Writ
There are also other sins there mentioned;
such as lying, prolaae swearing, stealing
&c. &c. All Of these the ministers of Christ
have been long preaching against Tie
sin OF lying and deceving is as old as in
temperance, and little older. The minis
tiers OF the Gospel feel it 10 be their duty 10
warn people against committing these sins,
as much now as ever Well, now ask.
what is the difference in that respect be-
tween lying and swearing, and inlemper.
ance? There is no difference-,hey are all
sins Of grievous nature, and injurious to
society, and all mem bers of community are
under obligation 10 aid in suppressing them,
one as much as another.
hope TO see this subject presented in
our paper from time to time, for am aware
that there is not that interest felt in This
community on the subject of temperance
which its importance demands. b.