Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-12
STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.


The annual convention of the Vermont Temper
ance Society was held at Vergennes on the 18th
and 18th ult The various sections of the State
were well represented in the convention, delegates
being present from nine of the fourteen counties.
The following resolutions, reported by the bust
ness committee, were adopted most Of them unan-
imously:
|. ReSolred, That the evils brought upon com
muny by the sale Of Intoxicating liquors as bev-
erage, are sufficiently appalling to make all phan-
thropiss shudder, and Should prompt them to seek
a remedy.
2. Resolred, That to encourage as remedy the
licensing of stores and cellars, or houses for the
sale of such liquors to all who wish to buy which
is contended for by ALL at least most Of our OPP
posers is as preposterous as TO promote the cause
of virtue by licensing houses OF gambling and i'll
fame
3. ReSoued, That while we approve of the gen
eral provisions of the license law as afording
means of protecting the unwary against the wiles
of the drun-seller still believe that the great
means Of promoting temperance is moral suasion.
4 ReSoluei, That the moral suaslon necessary to
perfect the temperance reform must include the
moral power of law.
5. Resolvei, That the friends Of temperance in
tain efficient county societies. with the view of
tablishng Just principles. of strengthening and
reckoning onward the town societies and of act
ing with such concert and energy as to carry the
blessings of temperance to every nook and corner
of the respective counties.
6. Resolved, That the clergy of all denomina-
tons be requested to preach a to their
pective congregations as soon as convenient and
from time to time on the Importance Of temperance
and to aid with their whole influence in bringing
to pass the delightful spectacle of a complete NOR
al reformation on this subject.
Z. RtSo'red That as longas money is to be made
bv the traffic in Intoxicating drinks, it may be en-
-, Of t1n cla trad hat tbprf
will be men base enough to sell to all who will buy
and that as long a burning and vicious appetite
drives men to their cups, 1t may be expected they
will indulge in defiance OF every motive to torbear
| We see therefore, that the contest on this sublec
| will be long and arduous and that It becomes al
who would drive the demon of intemperance from
orr land to prepare for unwearied and vigorous &c
ton prepare as long they live; at all events, til
the watchmen can respond
Darkness takes its flight,
! Doubt and terror are Withdrawn"
s. Resolred, That by selling liquors unlawfuy
or attempting to screen the yioators of the law
and at the same time vociforating against us be
Il cause we have not prosecuted more universally 70
violations perpetrated connivcd at, many hav
placed themselves in a ridiculous, not TO say con
temptible position Who ever before heard
f criminals or their accomplices complaining that tn
friends of order did not execute the law agains
their crimes?
n 9. Resolved. As the law ought to be a terrC
to evil doers that if prosecutions not enforce
by those who complain vociferously about unawfI
sales it is the most solemn duty of all, who beliey
the provisions of the law wholesome, in their assC
cated capacity of county and town societies,
concert such measures as will make every man VIII
sells unawfully to quail under the biting sanction
of the law.
. 10. While the real question between us and oil
: opponents is whether the sale Of intoxicating
/ stol1 hn strnip IN IL nal che
and manufacturing purposes, or to be extended s
4 as to encourage the use of them as beverage,
:. ReSolped, That our opponents often give swi
: witness of their want of confidence in the ustlC
of their cause; of their fears to bring the make
t. question before an impartial people, and sail und
false colors by pretending to be the liberal part
e the judicious party the peace-loving party, al
even with brigade of inebriates, and ten tim
n the number of gentlemen drinkers in their rank
; they frequently claim to be the temperance party
q IL. Some complain that the License Law invad
the rights of the citizen, and especially the dral
IS seller.
l. Resolved therefore, in the language of one of o
Is county societies, That well may the wolf COZ
e plain that we take away his rights when we fast
y him out of the sheep fold the rumseler VIII
we decline TO license HIM to prey on the comm
l. nifty.
5, H. Resolved That committee be appointed
devise ways and means to liqudate the debt OF t
e Society.
ne l3 ReSolued, That n committee of one from ca
is county here represented, be charged with the du
~ of reporting measures to be carried out in the cot
L. ties and towns for the extension of temperance,
ry for giving effect to the law.
A. IA. Whereas it is principle of divine legis
h ton II an OK gore man or woman mat III
Is die, then the OK shall be surely stoned And whe
re as, if the OK were wont to push with his horn
IN time past, and it hath been testified to his own
n and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath XII
H. a man or woman, the shall be stoned, and
n. owner also shall be put to death, therefore,
en- ResOlved, J. That the license system Is an
&c. that is wont to push.
nd g That the owner of the OK is not the man v
al hires him, by purchasing license, but the ifeen