The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-15
THE GALAXY.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY
OF ADDISON

The undersigned were appointed. at the late
ciety, committee to prepare and publish brief
address to their fellow citizens of the county. In
the discharge of their duty the committee are a.
ware that the subject of temperance has become
trite, but they have the full conviction that it has
lost Of its importance, by the loss of its
city. On the contrary, its importance is continu-
ally enhanced by the great increase Of the foreign
population in our State and country. The con-
test against the sale ,anG use ofintoxcatng liquors
as beverage, is a contest of principle 1t aims at
the determination of some Of the greatest evils
which alaict society. It aims not ONLY to redeem
the slaves of vicious appetite from their bondage,
and raise them to be useful members of society,
and to promote the peace and happiness and pros
perty of families, but TO remove the ofp~u-
perism and crimes, and thus relieve the burdens.
and promote the general order. intelligence and
welfare of the community. The success which
has attended the efforts of the friends Of temper
ance, thus far is matter of just congratulation.-
The Improvement in the habits Of the people with
respect to the use of Intoxicating liquors within
the last twenty years in this country, is manifest
and striking And it is matter of just pride to us
nation, that the great principle of total alb
stinence" first adopted and practsed under
the Temperance Pledge in this country, Is now
performing signal wonders in the reformation
of the common people of Europe, In the prog
ress of this reformation in ourown couniryin sew
eral Of the states, the friends of temperance have
invoked the aid Of lar to save from temptation
those who have lost the power of self control, as
well those who arc gradually yielding to the
dominion of a craving appetite. They have claim
ed the right of the majority to decide upon The
continuance or the removal of traffic, which is
most prolific source of evil in the community
The voice of the people of this state decided by
large majority against unrestricted licenses. The
experiment of the operation of the existing law
for one year has proved beneficial. The conf
mittee believe the quantity of Intoxicating liquors
sold and used is greatly diminished. At any rate,
the people are gamers, while tie traffic has the
stigma Of transgression and dishonor attached to
it. If tho law is to be violated Let il be done in
dark corners or cellars or under cover of night,
rather than that the sense Of virtuous commun-
ty be wounded and insulted inopen day. Let the /
full responsibility of his act rest upon the trans
gressor, without the chance to parry his guilt by
the shield of the law. Let him he left to weigh |
in the balance of lis conscience his obligations Of
obedience TO law and the voice of the community |
against his lust of gain. The freemen of the state
will be again called upon on the first Tuesday of /
March next, TO vote upon the question Of license |
or no license for the sale of Intoxicating liquors
as a beverage. Let not apathy and Indifference |
prevail among the friends of temperance in the
county of Addison. In the discharge Of our in
dividual and relative duties, God has made every /
man the keeper of his own conscience. Let us
see TO it, individually that in this matter Of great
public concern, we discharge our consciences faith
fully, ard not, by our neglect, have occasion to
reproach ourselves, if the sale of liquors shall a.
gain become, in open day, free, unrestrained and
traffic, and we be compelled to witness
continually drunkards staggering through our
Streets PETER STARR,
PHILIP BATTELL,
JAMES MEACIIAM,
Middlebury Feb g. 1915