The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-12
American Temperance Union.

The twelfth anniversary OF the American Tempe
rance Union was celebrated at tho Tabernacle last
evening, when, notwithstanding tho rain that fell
about the mo OF commencing tho exercise the build
ing was crowded to excess
The Brass Band rom tho North Carolina having fa-
yored tho audience with excellent music, tho
Rev DR.. Todd of Pttslcd, Mass opened tho services
| with prayer.
| Chaucellor wALwoRru thon mado a fow apprsp RI
ute remarks aud concluded BY rcading tho following
interesting letter from His Exceilency Governor sa-
Of Vermont, to the Rev John Marsh Secretary Of
| tho Society - -
| ESosnuRon, Vt, May 4, 1873.
Dear Sr-Yours Of the 18th March, inviting ME to
attend the approaching Union, received in due
season. had delayed reply, under uncertainty
whether could safely promise myself the qualification
Of complying with your invitation but, Us tho lime
approaches am reluctantly compelled to conclude
that will not be in my TO DO present 1t was
probably expected, that il | were present at your
progress Of tho temperance cause IN Vermont and,
upon this point am prepared to express to you my
firm confidence that temperance principles are pro
crossing in the State that they are slowly perhaps
yet steadily gaining ground In the convictions and
feelings Of citizens notwithstanding the apparent
| faltering Of the present year.
1t is perhaps generally understood that Of the votes
cast in March, the question then submitted for tho
popular decision, there small majority in favor Of
license And such, indeed, tho proclamation Of
Secretary Of State. But by Q mistake In tran
scribing tho original returns majority In one town
OF "a against license counted majority Of ~
in favor making difference Of lSS votes and leaving
in the State true majority ofl!4 against license
it supposed that it could not be corrected,
and hence compelled to submit to licenses tho
present year. although in distinct and undeniablo OPP
position to the popular voice and will But there L.
feeling among many that tho mistake must DO greater
at least in regard to tho numbers involved II NO
have to submit to tho like another year.
The real majority however, in opposition to egalizing
the traffic in alcoholic drinks, was, it must be con-
essed, far less than it ought to have been. But
small majority, compared with tho last year was an
tcipated by many tho result OF obvious causes,
which, nevertheless implied no yielding Of the prin-
I'll hat ia fha yUht md Of
to restrain far possible the trafc In question
The result produced by too much confidence and
too little effort the part Of truo temperance men,
In connection with the fact, that portion Of those
whose convictions and feelings opposed to licenses
nevertheless withheld thor votes; perhaps In fow
instances, gave them for licenses ON tho ground that
the law had been violated and II the traffic must go
it might pcrchance be well to yield to IT, and thus,
mt least, the nccruing from legalized
sale. An insufficient argument, indeed to justify
moments waverng but 1t is believed that doubts Of
this nature have occssoncd the falling of from the
vote Of last year. And might here state, that In
instances dealers themselves have in safe gene
ral terms trumpetcd their violations Of the law
n for a return to system under which tho viii
Of the community could lay no restraint upon thor as
serted privilege.
spirituous liquors few pretend to question: although
in regard to the extent to which legislation can proper
y and usefully ncrpose there be caviling there
may, with some, be doubt But where to ind
evidence Of the sincerity NJ personal hostility to the
tions, to the Of them, IL legislation does not con-
form to declared personal opinion and principle! Under
any just view Of tho subject, it would be idle to main
tain that people clear themselves OF responsibility
for the traffic and its legitimate consequences, when
their laws do not utterly dscountenancc and condemn
it, Legislative sanction must be justly regarded
equivalent to personal appreciation, on tho part OF
the individuals who constitute the majority that con-
trolls tho legislation Of State Important, indeed
then that kind OF moral sunsion 40 stoutly con-
tended for by many be, which would raise its
voice against the Of intoxicating drinks to-day, YET
vote and egisato In favor CT LIE tTaiic IN them To-
| morrow.
A practitioner Of medicine, have econ and de-.
pioreG may have been made to weep over tho evils OF
incompetence. | have seon the miseriee, tho wants
and of the drunkord's family. DESCRIPTION paints
them not with yydness like that which they present
themselves to Tho eye Much loss can II convey con-
| ception Of that agony under which they are burned
into tho soul whose portion Il may be to endure them
in their living reality And have tbs drunkard
himself too upon his dying bed and in his dying sgou-
ie. brt Of this would only say, God grant that such
sight msy never meet my eyes again. The remem-
brance OF such Is sufficient TO Impress upon me
the lfc-las;ing conviction that it 10 trivial duty
which We may perform or neglect at VIII, to eIors
every influence which We can rghtfully command 70
suppress evil often exhibited In fo Of misery
and II death Of dread md despair.
But nevertheless, law prcsumes not 70 interiere
merely to save the drunkard from himself IL Only ~
tcrposce to protect his family and society ataree hnap
far 1t attempts to exert restraining and controng
influence upon tho individual 1t IL but to guard others
against the evils resulting to them-reeuiting, NOT
under remote and doubtful contingencies ouo .nro"B
legitimate tendencies, through al OUT inesao@ ama
necessary consequences. And what powers govern
ment called upon TO exercise " 1t be not bouna W
guard its citizens, when II can against c'' W oh'o ~
appalling and 40 certain IT. -.
have some times been led TO inquire whether some
new and more effective instrumentalitins than those
yed could not be brought 10 bear In arrcse-
inc The procrcs. OF evil which still spreads its desc
Iations 80 widely around Perhaps more than IL might
bc accomplished. by way OF impressng upon the minds
az tho vo,ing part OF their systematic education
not merely the ngcrs Of ncmperance its injurious
effect on health and its runous innucnce al world
ly pro.perty but its immorality-ts decr-dycd and
DEGRADING wckodness. This Is a lesson which should
be assiduousy and earnestly incucatcd n every school
for tho young.
But NJ no cnlightcning Of the understanding and no
fortihostion 81 moral principles would afford an ade-
quatc security against the surrounding temptations,
and especially when to increase the danger. appe-
titc after the lspse, light he pleaded for Indulgence
lit Is obvious that the agencies now ordinarily
rcsorted to- cannot be dispensed with until the pre-
vailing practices OF society, well Its principles
shall have been thoroughly reformed and correct
ed Then, correct childhood, education, having no adj
influences to encounter. might maintain the
ground and perpetuate the triumph.