Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-03-02

from me Boston Bee.
Brattleboro is "rum" town, literally. Boston,
which is so much abused by temperance lectur-
ers, is total abstinence town compared to
Braiilcboro, and il is desirable that Hawkins, or
Augustus, or some other phanihropist, should |
make pilgrimage that way. The town was
anoat with rum, and as melancholy sight as We
ever bcheld was that of an old man seventy
years old, lying dead drunk in the street, and
his son, fifty years old, staggering about, nearly
as helpless as his father. On inquiry, We were
told that this is "wet" year in Vermont, and
that every man Of "good moral character" can
obtain license to sell rum.
We cut the above from an article in the Bee,
which in other respects is quite complimentary
to the citizens OF Brattleboro.
The Boston Traveller copies and endorses the
article, and nsinuaics that an invitation to such
a celebration is regarded as an insult.
We do not mean to screen this village from
the full measure Of reproach that belongs to the
lcgalized traffic in rum-drinking, aud its disgrace
fu and deplorablc consequences. This is Just
rcpronrh upon the good name aud character of
our State at present, though we hope II will not
exist long, and We mus, submit to the disagresa-
bic mputAtion with the best grace we can.
We protest, however, against the justice and
truth Of the above extract, and cannot allow II
to pass unnoticed. The inference is left though
not perhaps intended by the article that
liquors or wines were provided by the citizens
a part Of the entertainment. At any rate no
mention IL made of the fact that such va, not
the case, and "a such provision has been custom
AIRY at similar celebrations, tho inference that
liquors were furnished is quite natural and jus
iihablc.
Now the citizens Of this town take some credit
to themselves that this was temperance cclebra-
ton, no liquors or wines being provided either at
the dinner or the ball. We complimenicd our
guests by assuming tina; they would prefer the
taste and favor OF Java Coffee to Champagne
or Madeira, and did our best to furnish them
a boundful supply of the best quality.
Was !, quite fair and generous to requiie our
well meant hospitaliiies and example Of temper
anee by such broad indiscriminaic charge Of
drunkenness and intemperance
Was il quite just, after pariaking of the de-
licious beverage which we substituted for the al
coholic drinks CUSTOMARY. on such nnnssinn. aud
knowing too as all must have known that Il was
an open and public profession of our temperance
principles, was il qniie just in tho Editors or
Reporters Of the Bee and Traveller to send forth
10 the world in their papers the base and I'M
founded calumny that the "town was afoat with
rumG"
We were abroad considerable during the day
and evening, and saw none oC the scenes Of
4 4. A I. f..J IL, I'D
can say in truth that We never witnessed a cele-
bration of the kind where there was less Of
drunkenness. There were some young men in
the streets ut night who were rude and noisy, and
appeared TO be under the influence OF liquor, but
they were not our citizens; they we're strangers
here, and better known TO the Boston Report
( ers than to us. They were from Massachusetts
and il they were a specimen OF the ''total absli-
nence" citizens of Boston, the Boston Editors had
better practice upon the proverb that ''Charity
begins at home" before they send Missionary
expedition here. We, ourselves, have no re.
} proaches 10 make to those young men from
Boston who, according to the Bee, made "nighi
: hideous" We felt disposed, not to justify GER
tainly, but 10 paaie their excuses and irregu
arities because of our inability to provide then
comfortable lodgings.
There was doubtless much liquor drunk-prob
ably some men intoxicated. There were place,
where liquor could be had by those who desired
il, and it would not be surprising ii the Bee and
: Traveller Reporters were themselves in tina
doubtful state of sobricty when it seemed Il
them not only that the town "was afloat will
i rum" but that all the people in it, the houses
$ and trees, and even the earth itself-all bu
themselves-were drunk, and we're recling ant
staggering through the streets. This is quite a
charitable a conclusion as that ignorance or NAL
ice dictated the SANDER
+ Not satisfied with Editorial libcls, the Travel
! Ter admits correspondent who reiierates them
5 and though constrained to admit tina, the dis
e graceful scenes OF drunkenness on that occa
: sion were enacted chiefly by Massachusetts
: total abstinence rowdies, he goes out Of hi
! way to insnuate the charge, that on other occa
L sons, the same conduct is praciiced by the cit
p zens of Brattleboro.
The Traveller claims TO have respect for trutl
and candor; and we demand Of him to yindicat,
r his claim, by some specification, at least, if no
proof, Of the facts which justify him in singing
+ out the people of Brattleboro, above all others
as peculiarly rioous and incorporate, and il
6 sending out the cAlumny, to travel through th'
e public press of the Union. Point to and mann
a the time or the other occasion" when scenes o
" drunkenness, yulgarty and blasphemy occune,
in this village, Give us some fact, some credi
= bic rumor, or at any rate some plausible excuse
!, for making our misplaced hospitality to you as
! guest and the "riotous and scandalous behavior
!. of your own companions and associates from Bos
e ton, the occasion for a wholesale and iniamou
!. libel upon Us.
/, If then the Traveller wishes any other feel,
e of labor in the temperance cause, whore he can
II without fear Of exceeding the truth, indulge hi
natural genius in the description and reprehen
: sion of scenes of drunken rowdyism, let hin
!. turn to the late address OF the Mayor of Boston
g or visit of an evening the principal hotels AM
n theatres Of his own city, and he will find enoug
!, to employ his pencil for some time to come
= | without resortino 10 wanton nsnersnns unon hi