Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-05-14

IF we vote for anti-license commissioners In Janua-
ry, and in September vote to send rumsellers and
drunkards to the Legislature, or men who are in favor
of granting licenses; and in March elect Grand Ju-
rors who will take no notice of the grossest violations
Of the license law,-let me ask-How dwelleth the
love of the temperance cause in us? viii not our
enemies cry, aha! aha! we like to have it so. You
are good temperance men? Will not the best friends
of the cause turn away in grief and despair-and shall
we not paralyze all our efforts? If we vote for such
men, they can turn round and say to us-"It is evident
you approve our conduct, or yOu ,Uould UOte for as.
There is no occasion to change our policy, we can get
office without" The drunkard will turn round in
despair and say,-"our hope is gone-the men who
put the tempting poison to our lips, which consumes
our strength and ruins us for time and eternity, are ell
eylted to office by the votes of temperance men! 1t is
evident they care not for us. They know that we
have not the power unaided to resist the temptation,
and yet they clothe their licensed agents with power,
authorize them to destroy us according to law"
We want principles that do not "winter kilp-ever
green, hUng principles, that will flourish and grow in
any latitude and in every cline. A man may be so
conscientious as to decline to vote for such candidates
and yet not see his duty clear enough to vote against
them.
Now, l contend that if a mans character, reputation,
and principles are so bad that we cannot conscientious
ly vote for him, we do but half our duty if we do not
vote against him. We ought to "discountenance in
all suitable aOays" the election, or even nomination of
such men. We ought to teach political managers and
caucuses to put good men in nomination if they wish
our votes. And if men are put in nomination whose
habits, practice and influence are VIGOROUSLY adverse
to our cause; and who, instead of building it up are
constantly pulling it down; let it be understood that
we will not only not vote for such men, but we will
vote against, and defeat them if we can.
But it may be said that such a course aims a death
blow at all party organization. Admit for a moment
that it does so. Are the interests of party paramount
to the interests of our country? Must we abandon
principles rather than have our party defeated? Must
we always yield servile obedience to the rum interest?
Must we forever follow in the lead of dishonest dema-
gogues? Must intemperance which has been wisely
~denominated "one of the greatest evils-an evil, which
if LETT unrestrained will endanger our blood-bought
civil liberties" sweep with its destructive powers over
our land, unchecked, until our liberties are not only
endangered, but entirely s%ubverted, rather than that
party organization should be broken up? Let it not
be said that we must always be kept in "leading
strings" to that magic word "party." If important prin-
ciples are sacrificed to the benefit of party, it may be
found, too late, that our temporary triumph has been
purchased at too dear a rate.
But it by no means follows that if this principle was
adopted by every temperance man as a rule of action,
the permanent interests of party would suffer. Indeed,
tits not a very good compliment to the character Of
our citizens to suppose that none but drunkards and
drunkard makers, or those whom they consider as
friendly to the rum-selling interest, can be elected to
Office. fire we sunk so low? Have we not firm tenn
perance men enough in the community, whose talents,
influence, and responsibility are such as to qualify
them for any office within our gift? And why, let me
ask, are not such men always put in nomination fol-
our suffrages? Simply because temperance men have
not the reputation of acting in accordance with this
principle. Political leaders calculate shre,odty and
safely on the fact that party men will keep in the ira
ces, even if by so doing the car of Temperance is drawn
into the ditch.
Thus Objectionable men are thrust upon us. Rath-
er than have our party defeated we vote for them
Our votes are considered as the highest tokens ofap.
probation. We put power into their hands to make
and execute laws, and they use it to fortify their inter.
ests. 1t cannot be expected that men will act official.
ly to put down a system which is constantly putting
money into their pockets. Self interest, whether re.
al or imaginary, is predominating principle with most
men. Pure disinterested philanthropy is a rare gen
and seldom found.
Men will carry out those principles at the polL
which they value highest, 1t is then a Legitimate con
clusion that those who sustain men for important Office
who are VIGOROUSLY, and decidedly hostile to the tenn