Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-05-28
a G mp G F. a N e G.
For the Green Mountain freeman.
Responsibilities in relation 10 the License
System
NO II.
y 7 ~ = III
NO. H..

NO. II.
Mr.. EDIroR;-I do not believe there is any
utility or consistency in praying for the progress of
our principles unless in the language of the poet we
"dare to vote we have prayed" am, as | have al
ready said, "lriend to moral suason" but am con
WINGED of the dy necessity and erpedency of pesua-
ding men at the ballotboX This is kind Of persua-
sion which is irresistible, and must be felt and oppro-
ciaed Tyrants justly dread its policy and therefore
cry out against its Selfish politicians whose seven
principles are found in the give Ioaves and two fsheso
of office, uttering anathcnas against those
who make Of the polls to reform the moral evils Of
society. Many men of timid, weak and waverng
minds are brow beaten caocd, until they consent to
ego with the party" wherever it may lead. The doc
trne has become quite popular, that must "choose
the least of two evils" Men have acted upon this
principle until they have hardly any thing else to
choose but evils They have submitted to it, as they
suppose, from necessity.
But let me ask, where do we get any uaM authori-
ty for choosing the least Of two moral evils? We are
often under the necessity Of choosing between two
physical evils; for instance may be compelled
to submit to the amputation of limb, rather aan to
endure far greater amount of SUFFERING and perhaps
lose his life.
If we have right to choose the least of two moral
evils, we have right to ado evil that good may come"
to "contnuc IN sin that grace may abound Does
the Bible any where teach this doctrine? If not then
let those who profess to be christians and to be guided
by its precepts abondon this doctrine choose the
good, and refuse the evil
If from misrepresentation of duty, or otherwise we
fail to act upon correct principles may commit er-
ros, which, whether of the head or heart may prove
fatal to our influence in favor ofemperance as well as
put arguments into the mouths of ouropponents, which
will be welded effectively and destructively against
the cause 1t is mportantthen that we study the sci
ence Of d.dy; and as light breaks in upon our minds
we should LET it shine around that may help to dis
pei the moral darkness which clouds the mental vision
ofmany who would fain act conscentously, and dis
charge all their duty to their tclloa men.
But wish to call attention to the obligations i'm
posed upon us by she PLEDGE" Most of the pledges
which have seen, provide that shall "not use in
toxicatlng liquorsaa beverage" nor "proyde them
articles ofenterainment for persons in our employ"
and this not enough to make assurance doub-
y sure that every kind Of action which could benefit
the cause should be embraced this sweeping clause is
added at the close "aaI IN all sUitabe rags ne ,cA
dScouaenance their use Hvoughouthe communly"
1t will be seen that the language in this grand eli
max is broad and comprehensive. 1t contemplatcs
something more than mere personal abstinence. 1t
looks to action of any and every kind which can bene-
fit the cause. When we signed the pledge we younta-
rIy assumed its obligations, both specific and general
We vowed allegiance to it as our constitutional law
We 'pedgcd sacred honors" to do all could to
prevent the use Of alcoholic drinks. five have adop-
ted law that did not know Of it is time to con-
slider the matter five will not "rcdcem our PLEDGE"
If we have adopted law that are not willing to
obey-ifw VIC are not ready to carry out at the polls
and elsewhere, its plain and obvious spirit: let us
cast to the moes and the bats-et us be consistent
I'VE are ashamed of our solemn "pedge letus draw
black lines around it and write upon it erpuagcd
1.-Two vote for rum-makers, rum-selers, and rum,
drinkers, we afford them the highest couaicnance in
our power If we make such men our law-givers, we
put the cause Of temperance into their hands until the
next election. Is it not 'suitable way" to vote
against such men? Is it not papable derelictior
from duty to vote for them--and is it not d far grcha
and more injurious violation of the pledge" thar
drinking2
fear that many temperance men have failed to APP
preciate the force of this obligation or carry out it.
spirit The woes inflicted upon the yotaries of BAG
chus are often lost sight Of The walls of our spirit
cursed brethren are heard as though we heard then
not We read the weekly chronicle of accidents, bur
nlngs crimes and deaths, which are caused by th:
soul killing draught and forget that it is all sanctone,
by the license system; and is but its legitimate fruit
But whether we have signed the pledge or not, ou
dutyas citizens and phlanhropsts requires us to use
all the means which God has put in our power 10 full
fill that great law of love to our neighbor The bal
lot is perhaps the most efficient and economical of any
influence in our power to exert. Then let US cea
skirts from all responsibility for the evils of intern
perance. Let us abolish the license SYSTEM and for
bid under heavy penalties eoery ndjgidua in the State
from selling alcoholic drinks Let us vote for no mal
who will not carry out our principles. Let who
course be such that the drunkards curse will not al
upon us, nor the of his afflicted family be VISITED
upon US in judgment Yours truly,
Enosburgh, April IS, 1886 ABB.