The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-20
TUT TIC WUUUAIWUK NNU
Observation-Disclosures.

so long as the sale Of Alcoholic drinks as
beverage is licensed by law,-and that he
who gives countenance to such sale, either
by his rote or his qGciaI acts, mAicts Sc
rious injury on the Temperance reformation,
and in our opinion violates the pledge OF
this society.
The above resolution, offered by DOct.
Z. E. Powers, at the late Temperance
Convention in this village, was referred to
in the Age Of the 9Th ut. As | then said,
it processes TO express the "opinion" of
those who voted in its favor. My objec.
tons to it, relate mainly to that clause Of
the resolution which reads, "and in our
opinion riOlalcs the pledge of this society"
Now, with all Difference to the honestly
expressed opinion Of temperance friends, |
must dissent from them. | know Of no
pledge which interfcres with mans privil-
eyes and rights as freeman; or which
prevents his approaching The balot-boS, free
and untramelled, TO act according to his
own convictions Of light and sense of duty,
agreeably with his oath.
Every temperance man is bound to abb
stain from Alcoholic drink, refrain from
providing it for others, and use all "suita-
BILE" means for the earliest, universal aban,
donment Of it in the community. But those
means which some might deem most suita-
Die to insure, in the shortest possible time,
the desired result-the dsuse Of alcoholic
bevcrage-others might not. Men may
be equally honest and yet differ in opinion,
on this subject, as well as others. Each
one, practising personal total abstinence,
must Judge and act for himself know Of
many whole-souled temperance men who
are not in favor Of preventive legislation,
for the present, believing that if people
we're left to themselves to traffic and drink
just as they please, for twclUc month only,
they would work ont the denominations OF
the business so horribly visible, that all
rational eyes would see it together, and
multiludes arise IN the majesty Of strength
and crush the head Of the enemy at once
But, must | adopt those views, and vote
accordingly, or loose my caste? Suppose
County Conventions pass resolve that
all who do not vote against interfering at
all by legislation, for given time, are, in
their opinion guilty of violating their
pledge! Shall | condemn them? Not in
the least, | will only claim the right Of
differing from them in opinion.
Some friends of Temperance we're Of
opinion, recently, that, in dscoursng upon
the subject at issue, connected with TEN.
perance, harsh and denunciatory language
was most suitable to insure the success and
triumph ofthe good cause But l could
not agree with them in that opinion, hon.
est as | concede they might have been,
My conviction was-and 1t remains un.
changed--that strong argumenatiye and
persuasive appeals to the minds and hearts
OF men, would be as much more eflicacious
in influencing them to role rigR, on the Ii
ccnse question, than would blackguardisn
and threats, as they would be in causing
them to abandon ineb-iate habits, ant
unite in the temperance enterprise. Hence
let the question come up, concerning these
two agencies, and | shall vote for mild
persuasive ones. Nor do fear | shoult
violate my pledge by so doing. If other
differ with me in opinion, and still hold OF
to the hnoch DOM and drag O"t pOlicywhy
we must agree to differ, and let the matte
rest there. thank God that there are II,
sober, candid, long-tried friends oftemper
ance in the wide circle Of my acquaintance
who are n0w in favor of repetition O
such blackguardly, obscene, and abusive
agencies, as have been employed in thi
county, by one at least, TO secure desired
result at the ballot-box None but thu
newcomers, s." the "men ofyesterday," il
our ranks, and few under their mlsguid
ing influence, would wish to renew TIT
means which have been seen to be Of inu
rious tendency.
However, as the resolution is objection
able only in part, and those who sustained
it acted conscientiously in the expression
Of their opinion, will not waste words OF
the subject. 1t would be wholly inconsist
ent with my views ofduty for me to do any
: thing to countenance or perpetuate the us'
of ardent spirit or alcoholic drink, as /
beverage. have done no such thing. M
language can express my gratitude that un
: der muniiicent Providence | have beer
disposed and enabled to live in strict con
t0lmifU to mn temDCrQRCe piCdgC, --an(