Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-12-26
TO THE CITIZENS OF RuT.
LAND COUNTY.


County, held a, Castleton on the 18th
instant, the undersigned were appcin-
ted a committee to address the froemen
Of this County upon subjects having
reference TO the present state and fu-
ture prospects Of the temperance cause,
and which are directly connected with
the approaching election Of County
commissioners.
Ii is not denied, and indeed, we sup
pose il 10 be generally understood, that
the delegates composing that conven-
ton, as well as the opinions of that
portion Of this community, which they
represented, are decidedly, and from
principle, opposed 10 the traffic in, and
use of. Intoxicating drinks, as a bcver-
age. Their reasons for this OPPOSE
ton, aud the motives, which impel
them AT the present crisis to urge upon
their fellow citizens, with candor,
carncstness, and due propriety, the a
doptiou and practice of the same senti-
ments, are, as ii seems to us, well and
forciblv expressed, in the language of
one of the resolutions passed by said
convention, "Tbat the traffic in intoxi-
eating liquors, as hitherto practlced, is
attended with evils, which every
good citizen must deplore, and earnest
w desire TO see remedicd and that the
object Of the friends of temperance, in
this convention assembled, is, and ev-
er has been, simply TO correct these e.
wills"
II will not be denied that during the
last two years, the power of moral sua-
sion, aided by the mighty influence of
public opinion, has been exerted and
applied with talent, skill, and very
commendable faithfulness, in many
portions of the land. And what, we
ask, have been the results ? Is it not
most lamentably manifest, that while
some minds are found susceptible to
these good influences, very many can
not be reached by them? Persuasive
appeals have been made, and repeated
to such men, but they have been re-
peated in vain. The fruitful cause of
those incalculable evils continues in
full life and vigor, the frightful scourge
is still abroad, the stream of death
sweeps onward. and the hearts of faith
ers mothers, wives, and Children, are
still wrung, crushed, broken.
Observation ana reflection have full
lyconvinced us of the truth ofthe fol-
lowing positions, namely. That so
long as intoxicating liquors are sold as
n beverage, they will be drank as a
beverage the indomitable force
Of the human appetite for these drinks,
when excited by their habltual use,
leads inevitably TO excess or disslpa-
tion--that the only benefit which can
be shown to result from their sale, Is
realized by the vendor, who ordinarily
receives III the sale of most noxious
and utterly worthless commot ity, prof
it of from 80 to 300 per ccnt-and fl
nallv that drunkenness, with all its
horrid train OF evils, will continue in
our midst. just so long as the sale Of
intoxicating drinks is continued.
In our judgment, the provisions OF
the present license law, as it is called
furnish an effectual, and indeed the
only available remedy for these evils
The Legislature, in their wisdom, have
so framed this law, that the question
whether the sale of intoxicating drinks
shall be continued or restrained in this
state, is referred to the sober jugdment
and decision Of the people themselves
The board of commissioners, who are
soon TO be elevated are entrusted witt
the whole power Of granting, or witt
holding, licenses 10 sell ardent spirits
and all persons, who violate the law
by selling without proper licens'
from this board, are subjected TO proper
penalties. Should these commission
ers, in the exercise of the powers com
mitted to them, decide to grant no Ii
cense, for the sale Of spurious Ii
quors, except for medical, chemical, o
mechanical purposes, the people Of thi
state would doubtless very soon be de
llvered from most oppressive and In
tolerable nuisance provided that thos'
persons, whose duty it is, to see tina
the law is not violated with impunity
shall he found to be fearless, vigilant
and faithful But on the contrary
should tins board, be composed Of men
who believe, that the sale of this arti
Gle, as beverage, is calculated and a
dapted to advance the interests anC
happiness ct individuals, TO subserv,
the cause OF peace, good order, moralit,
and religion, IN our towns, neighboT
hoods, and families, and promote tn
general welfare Of the community, tn
present evils, which we a. ,.ca.:il,
profess TO dep.cre, will be likely no
only TO continue but ,oincrease.