The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-25

have is as TO the persons TO be licensed inclu-
ling necessarily the place, where they shall
exercise the right conferred by the license
and the number that shall be licensed" As
stated ia a previous communication, we do
moi see how from the law they find any more
rig hi to exercise their "discretiOn'' i'll regard
70 the persons to be licensed, than in regard
TO the question whether the interests OF the
community require a license at all. But this
resolution especially as originally passed
shows what we are to expect, II that sci oil
/ Commissioner should be elected; and fairly
presents the issue before the community. Ii
is not on the one hand shall licences be grant
ed to sell for medicinal, chemical and manu-
featuring purposes only; or on the other nand,
TO sell to a very moderate extent compared
with the olden times, TO be drunk as a bever-
age and perhaps only by travellers. But 1t IS
on the one hand. shall restricted licenses be
granted as we propose, or On the other shall
the Commissioners grant licenses "hoeraily"
10 stores and taverns and cellars; that is TO
every applicant, who is respectable enough 10
sell rum, unless an objection arises from his
locality or the the multitudes, who press III
for the profits. The latter conditions, We are
informed, were not in the vote as 1t was pas
sed oy our opponents in their Convention
Though moderate meu may expect that licen-
SEES will be granted very sparinely, still that
this is pot contemplated by the inebriates and
all who are opposed TO temperance, is obVi-
Gus FROM the entire satisfaction with which
they appear TO receive the nomination.
Now we ask can you, as conscientious
men. who desire to roll back the tide OF in
temperance, and promote a healthy state in
the community, vote for the election Of these
men? Even though they act with ever so
good intentions, though they should be as
conscientious as was the deluded apostle,
when he thought he was doing God service,
still as in that case, the evil would be a ire
mendous one. Good intentions would not
arrest the pauperism and crime and wretch
edness, which all past experience shows al
WAYS results from The system Of licenses,
which appears to be contemplated in the a
boye resolution. We ask them whatever
course YOU have heretofore taken, in regard
to temperance, as prudent, cautious, moder-
ate men who desire TO do right and promote
the best interests of the community, can you
vote for those, who will doubtless at all events
license, extensively; or must you as well
wishers ofthe cause Of temperance sustain
for commissioners.
We propose also TO say a word on another
topic, intimately connected with the proceed
ING. There are some, who disSaim all re-
sponsibilty in regard 10 passing events, as if
there were no such thingas a sin ofomissiop,
and hence il a little announcement, will not
trouble themselves to go to the polls at the
ensuing election. Are we not by high au-
thority warned against being 'partakers in
other mems sins P' This may imply that
we are to-take all reasonable measures TO
prevent the sins of others. A vast amount
of ruin and suffering flows from giving unre-
strained licenses TO sell intoxicating liquors.
Perhaps by your votes alone commissioners
may be elected who will license to be sold
for useful purposes only. II. then, by your
neglecting to vote, a course of things is bro't
about, which you might have prevented, and
should have prevented, will there not devolve
on you a degree of responsibility that is ap-
palling. 10 say nothing of guilt and may
there not, through your apathy, come on the
community. those evils which may rend
your heart, but which the tears of a whole
life cannot wipe away2 Who then will not
only give his vote, but his whole influence 10
secure the grand object of diminishing from the
community not only the great red dragon of
intemperance, but the unnumbered host Of
demons that follow in his train.