The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-01-02
J. HOLCOMB, Editor & Publisher


opinion, has been exerted and applied
with talent, skill, and very commcndable
faithfulness, ia many portions OF the land.
And what, we ask, have been the results
Is it no. most lamentaby manifest, that
while some minds are found susceptible
to these good Influences, very many cans
not be reached by them? Persuasive APP
peals have been made, and repeated to
such men, but they have been repeated in
vain. The fruitful cause of those ircaicu>
liable evils continues ia full life and vigor,
the frighlfaI scourge is sill abroad, the
stream OF death sweeps onward, and the
hearts of fathers, mothers, wives and
children, are still wrung, crushed, bro
ken.
Observation and reflection have fully
convinced US of the truth OF the following
positions, namely. That so long as in.
loxica,ing liquors are sold as beverage,
they will be- drank as a beverage-thal
The inIonitable force OF the human appe-
tie for these drinks, when excited by their
hnbitual use, leads inevitably TO excess or
d'sspa,ion-that the only benefit which
can be shown 10 result from their sale, is
realized by the vender. who ordinarily re.
ceves in the sale OF most noxious and ut
terly worthless commodity, profit OF
from 80 to 800 per cent-and finally 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.
la our judgment the provisions Of the
present licegse law, as il is called. furnish
an efrctuaI and indeed the only available
remedy for those evils. the Legislature,
in their wisdom have so framed this law,
that the Question whether the slle of in
;oxcating drinks shall be continued or Re.
strained in this slate, is referred to the So
Der judo ment and decision of the people
themselves. Tne board OF commissions
ers, who are soon to be elecl"d, ure
entrusted with the whole power OF grant
Ing, or Withholding, licenses 10 sell ardent
>plrits; and all persons who violate the
law, by selling without proper license
from this board, are subj acted TO proper
penalties. SboulI these commissioners.
in The exercise of the powers committed
10 them, decide to giant no license, for the
sale OF spurious liquors, except for medical,
chemical. or mechanical purposes, the
people of this state would doubtless very
soon be delivered from most oppressive
and inolerable nuisance; provided that
those persons whose duy 1t is, 10 see ,hnt
the law is not violated with mpunity, shall
be found TO be fearless, viglIaul, aud faith
tot. But on the contrary, should This
b ard, be composed Of men, who believe,
that the sale Of This article, as a beverage,
is calculated and adapted to advance the
in,eres,s aud happiness OF individuals, 10
subserve the Cause of peace, good order,
morality and religion, in our towns, neigh
borhoods and families. and promote the
general welfare of the commonly, the
present evils, which We shall SO heartily
profess to dtpore, will be likely not ouly
TO continue but 10 Increase.
Fellow citizens, we feel no disposition
to prescribe or control your opinions. -
The question is before you interests Of
incalcuIable moment are at stake, the
means and the results, the choice and the
responsibility are alike yours.
WIN. G KlTTRlDGB,
VIM. PAGE,
GEO. w. Harmon.