Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-04-13
Temperance.
For The Green Mountain freeman.
Temperance"yParty Spirit &c.
Boston. .Mmch 2Oth. 1913.

boston, warren 2Uu, 1910.
Mr.. EDIToR:-T am mortified but not disappointed
at the result of the recent vote in Vermont on the
question of license 1t is as expected. The rea-
son is perfectly plain. The Presidential election
comes next fall and neither of the rival parties dares
to offend the rum interest for fear of losing votes
So they allow rum to triumph for the time being
Perhaps next year, when the Presidential question is
decided they will not be afraid to talk more and act
more.
Now we can see from such examples as this the
great benefits resulting to society from party spirit
It is perfectly plain to any disnterested man that
neither of these parties for any thing but power
and its elnolumens. OF course, in the selection Of
candidates for office, in performing the duties in
cident to power little if any thing else is taken into
consideration but the prospective interests of par
V. This IS paramount to every thing else. Temper
ance, liberty and religion may be made much of wher
they do not come in collision WITH or endanger these
interests. But when an election is at hand they arc
discarded have seen this verified too often to doubt
its truth.
Now do not expect to see much progress made ii
any good cause which can be relied on as real OF
efficient, while its advocates are spel-bound and tee
neck and heels to these pro-slaVery parties Such
prodigy could it be accomplished would be one of the
greatest anomalies Or monstrosites in nature There
is too much corruption in these parties to admit o
the least hope Or possibility of such an emenatior
from them. Their objects are too base and sordit
and their measures correspond with their Objects
Take away the interests of slavery from them ant
they would be like beast without head, or shiI
without q rudder. They would be bewildered anl
amazed at their position, and would not know how
act. 1t would be long time before their trembling
knees would recover sufficient strength to stand cree
like men. am not sure but this state of things il
anticipated, and that this may be one reason for thu
great aversion to change.
Now, how long shall we.wait for better state o
things? And how can it be brought about? Is ther
not honesty and intelligence enough among the PEG
pie to discard slavery, and other children of thu
Devil? If there is why is it not brought into acto
to some purpose?
believe these evils will continue and increase un
til they are sensbly t6 and until that same spirit
selfshness which sustains them, will find to its cos
that the vpers nourished with so much care, retur
the favor by bitter sting Seishness is motiy
power which in most cases is of far more potency tina
any considerations of right truth, justice Or religion
The worst of is that this spirit is not often arouse
until too late. Thousands have refused to aid tn
temperance cause until some of their nearest an
dearest friends fell into drunkard's grave, an
often until they fell themselves victims. Pain an
suffering are two prominent agents made use of b
the Deity in the government of mankind and to pun
sh the disobedence of his laws When we hav
suffered enough to arouse us, then begin to loo
about for the causes, and devise remedies mean
for their removal. When the people generally talk
pains to inform themselves in relation to the evils
society, they will begin to act, and take the work
reformation into their own hands. This is the onl
remedy. mans professions are worse than nothin
if his actions give them the lie. Something nor
than mere profession is wanted We have profession
enough to save universe if there were actions
correspond. The professions of party are infnitel
less valuable than those of individuals. The latte
may be held responsible in certain sense, but in
party the responsibility is divided and subdWded
the Homeopathic principle, into such small parts th
it cannot be found Like the Irishman's fea-"p'
l your finger on it and it is not there" This at lea
is the actual state of things, not what it ought to be
= admit.
A new law has been proposed, and has receive
some attention in the Massachusetts Legislature vii
reference to the sale of spirits without license. 1t
more stringent than the old one, and will be more
fcient if carried into effect in accordance with
I spirit Imprisonment is one grade of punishment pr
vided for our gentee volators of the law and judgr
from past observation have no doubt it is needc
feature The rum party are red hot against ii, whit
shows that there is some reason IN the law, as well
for It, Whether it will pass or not is uncertain.
Yours truly, A. II. b.