Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-09
For the Waterman and Journal.


Messrs Editors,-l noticed in your paper of
April 2jth some we-timed and appropriate re-
marks, from a correspondent, upon the inconsistent
cy Of those who, protesting to be the friends Of
Temperance. patroniZe those merchants and tavern
keepers, who still persist in the accused traffic of
ardent spirits The answer to the question he
proposes. "Do not those who patronlze rum sell
ling stores and taverns, violate their pledge Z" is
obvious the shining of the MONDAY sum-
Such persons, if not directly, do Us effectualy
violate the pledge they have taken, as though they
bought and habitually drank spirits themselves,
And those who are not willing to sacrifice some
thing, in comfort and in money too, if need be, for
sustaining and carrying out TO their fullest extent,
the principles they profess, can have no claim to
be the friends of Temperance. There are, no
doubt cases where it becomes necessary for tenn
perauco men even to give their patronage to rum
sellers, especially to tavern keepers But in your
village there can be necessity for this whatever.
There you have good Temperance Inn. where
all that is required for the comfort of the traveller
may be obtained But do hear it urged that the
temperance house is not kept in so great style, or
furnished with so much elegance as the Pavilion
or Union or some other house. This affords not
the least apology for not patronZing 1t. Let tenn
peranco men do their duty, and how long, | ask,
Will it be before temperance houses will be kept
with as much style and elegance rum-selling
taverns now are. Let all temperance men who
WISH NOltpelcl ticil uuty III
and will venture my reputation prophet, on
the prediction that within two years, the proportion
of temperance to sprit-seing taverns, will, in
stead of being " one to SIX" be reversed, and will
be six to one. Let all temperance men leave those
houses where liquor is sold, and let it be under
stood that it is for this cause alone that they do so,
and we shall see that as surely as effects follow
causes, will spirits be banshed from them. But
why will this be the result? Because as your
correspondent truly remarked, temperance men
now constitute not only the most respectable, but
the most profitable part oftheir customers. A few
weeks since | had occasion to visit your village,
and not having much acquaintance with 1t, was
not quite certain whether there was a temperance
Inn kept there. But on inquiring before reaching
the village | learned there was, and Of course
stopped at it. was gratified TO find the host gen
tlcmanly and obliging, the servants attentive and
faithful and every thing at hand necessary for my
comfort or convenience. But was exceedingly
panied to find, as did, that this house
poorly sustained, while others had such a flow O
patronage. My visit happened to be during the
session of one of the higher courts and many per.
sons from abroad were sojoulning there for the time
being. And saw, with the deepest regret, many
whom know, as occupying high stations in socle
ty and wlthal, protesting TO be fast friends OF
temperance passing straight by, and giving thei
) patronage and countenance TO the rum seller. Ant
1 it seemed to me that they were obliged to keel
their eyes hXed on the GROUND, lest tney snOul'
S meet those large letters, which read "TEMPER
ANCE HOUSE," and their conscienccs shoult
reprovc them and compel them to turn in. This il
indeed sore evil. And until the friends of TEN
h perance will solemny and faithfully keep thei
pledge, both TO the letter and the spirit, the pur
principles Of Temperance cannot thoroughly an
universally prevail The present is a crisis in thu
temperance reformation in Vermont, which de
mands the most unyielding and the best directe
IptIn M IA tic nd
n pondent, say, let us one and all give ourselves
the work, not only with prorptness, kindness
n decision and patience, but also with
It CONSISTENCY.