The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-01-01
TEMPERANCE.
For the Northern GALAXY.
Mr.. BELL,

Iperceive that two Conventions
for Addison Co. each claiming Ito be
friendly to Temperance have recently
been held in Middlebury, and that each
of these bodies have nominated candid
ates to be supported for County Commits
sioners under the new law at the election
in January. Both conventions by their
proceedings it appears profess to have the
same object in view, and | with many 9TH
ers have been led to enquire what need
there was of the TWO sets of candidates
for Commissioners. What purpose could
it answer, but needlessly to distract the
public mind, if the principles of both bod
les are the same, as it is claimed they are.
Now as wish to cast my vote so as best 10
promote Temperance, ask for light on this
matter. The Convention held on the 10th
inst, have stated their ground and spread
their reasons for it out before the public. As
to whatth principles and measures are there
can be no doubt. If they are correct in saving
that legalizing the traffic in spurious liquors
as beverage tends to increase the evils of in
temperance, they may claim for their cand-
dates the support Of all temperance men.
But the second Convention held on the
18th inst, claiming also to be friendly to
Temperance, ''as any their fellow -citizeus'
say, I'VE do not consider well regulated
license system is calculated to increase those
evils" They however give no reasons, and
[ am in difficulty. Will not some of their
number be so kind as to show me the ground
on which they rest their claims to the charac-
ter of Temperance Convention" Will
they not tell me what connection there is be-
tween licensing men TO sell rum and Temper
dnce? | want very much to see it. IL there
is any, doubtless some gentleman learned in
the law, and who has made already the dis
covery that the recent act relating to licenses
makes it obligatory to grant licenses TO sell
spurious liquors, to keep taverns &C." is
able clearly to point it out. Come out then,
gentlemen, before us, the people, in your
writings, in your speeches, or in any way you
choose, and show the connection there is be-
tween Rum selling and Temperance, and ]
will go with you, and hundreds more of TEN
perance men. Only tell US the way that H.
censes as you propose are TO put stop to
drinking, TO reform the drunkards, and prevent
the making Of more, and my word for it,every
temperance man, teetotallers and all will 60
with you. For the great good of us, the peo-
pie, then tell us what your '.judicious system
of licensing is. Tell us how many or how
few rum taverns and grog shops it will re-
quire to make all men temperate, and thus
secure what You profess to have so much at
heart, a complete triumph over evil, hen you
say you "depreciate as earnestly as any on
your Fellow-C Citizens" When you shall have
shown this, you will have doneihe public most
important service. You will have accomplish
ed au incalculable amount ofgood in teaching
US how to carry out triumphantly otherwo
of reform. We shall then know how the H.
censing of gambling houses will not increase
the evils of gambling; how "a judicious and
well regulated system of licenses" for such
houses, for horse racing &c. is the best meth
cd of working out d reformation of morals
Tell us gentlemen, how many licensed houses
there must be for these purposes to put down
drinking, gambling &C.; and the swell regula-
ten SYSTEM" tchdt ii is, and ho,c to be man.
aged, so as 10 secure a triumph in this benev-
client enterprise, which you have so much at
heart, and you will have made to the people a
most important discovery. You will certainly
have the thanks of thousands in Addison
County. You will almost secure immor-
tally to your names. You will have contrib
uted to spread new era of reformation over
the world, with which your own fame will be
commensurate.
Gentlemen, give us the light, and we will
one and all go in for your ticket and secure
TO it glorious triumph. G.