The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-02-25

wrest from us our dear bought rights, We
love temperance, and temperate men, and
temperate measures, and we love our liberties
also, and shall not willingly sacrifice them on
the altar of Fanaticism. 1t does not require
the eye ofan Argus to discover the same spir-
it of ecclesiastical dictation, as formerly ex-
listed among the Catholics,-men invested
with "little brief authority" and power to
rule, scarcely stop to reflect, that conriction
must necessarily precede conversion. Over
acting appears to be trait in the American
character, and a spirit of intolerance exists to
an alarming degree among our clergy. AL
most every bad passion may be put to rest
sooner than intolerance; forit always shelters
itself under the garb Of religious zeal. When
trained to cover with reproach whomsoever
may not come up to their standard ofright or
wrong, and drown the free expression ofopin-
ion by denunciation Of hereto, to strike terror
into the multitude, by menace, such combina-
tons are as perilous in a republic as an arm
ed police. One of the strongest features Of
our times, is the tendency to run into associa-
tons, and to lose themselves in masses; to
think and act in crowds, from the excitement
of the moment to identify themselves with
a
not TO ponder WELL and guard our inalienable
rights from infraction ? lest host should be
marshaled so powerful as to overawe opinion,
stife inquiry, and compel dissenters to 81
lence and thus accomplish their unhalowed
schemes? &c.
Pittsfeld, Jan. 25.
REMARKS AS will have been seen, the writer
claims to be in favor of temperance but opposed to
total abstinence in the use of intoxicating drinks and
quotes bible authority in support of his position He
also audes to the practice of hypocrisy in protested
temperance people, the action of the clergy, &c,
TO the bible quotations against total abstinence,
others more numerous can be brought as an offset
such as the case of the Rechabites in refusing par
take of wine, when offered by jeremiah and the
blessing which was promised the case of Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah l think, were quo
atons to be made from the bible, those in favor ofab
stinence from alcoholic drinks would largely balance
the others. Add to bible testimony ofthis kind the
testimony of those who have had experience in using
those drinks and wholly abstaining and should be
willing to risk the verdict of animpartal jury.
The hypocrisy alluded to stands on the same foot
ing as that practsed in any good cause aud furnish
es no argument in favor of rum-drnking.
Clergymen are possessed of the same nature as
other men, and will WELD the power when they can
get it. "Knowkedge is power" and if the mass of
the people allow tie clergy to possess the main por
ton of kROwege there is in the world, they must ex
pect them to hold and exercise ocer over the mass
to their detriment. So with any class of men. The
only way, then, to have power equally held, is, to
have knowledge equally distributed. But having
no more room for remarks this subject this week.
| will say,I think the writer would hardly be willing
to have temperance in all things pmctised on him 3;
such as stealing, lyirg, manning &c. And if he
would not have the meaning so broad, perhaps he
may yet see that Paul would have people temperate
in all thugs necessary to their health Be this as
may,if he wishes to arrange arguments enough oill
one page Of this paper in favor of temperance but
against total abstinence IN alcoholic drinks he may
have room for them and if can not meet and over
throw his arguments, he may have all the benefit re-
sultng from his victory. As to the voting on Tues
day next, can see no other way for me than to go
against licensing, and hope all who profess tenn
perance will vote that way till the license laws are
abolished.