The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-02-06
REPORT OF THE TEMPERANCE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
BURLINGTON. Jan. IL. 1919.

OtutCs HC HOpuitti sOiO III 'Off guy
a decided expression against License, in
1S4S was declared TO be in favor of License
The enemy had said the State would mo-
endure il more than one year, and they have
proclaimed fulfilment Of their predictions.
Elated with their victory. they have engaged
with all zeal TO improve the present, apd il
possible, made some amends Tor the past.
We should think the multitude OF their offer
ings might appease the anger Of the god.
We may congratulate ourselves to-day, AS
in the enjoyment Of a year rich in the bless
ed fruits of the License system and present
appearances give promise of a most abund-
ant harvest. The places of drinking are nu-
merous and well stored. Customers in a.
5undanco swarm around them. For the
iimorous youth, those back-room bars, con-
ce;ved and arranged in the days Of restrrc-
lion, afford most desirable concealment !;
and are not useless improvements. Many
find it desirable 10 step out OF sight when
they indulge: and when once behind the
screen, they use great holiness. Already
have we seen strange things-midnight riots
companies Of boys who have not yet reach>
ed their 'ieens,' drinking and being drunken
Ike old veterans under the blessed 9gs Of
the law-deeds o. shame which may not SO
iluCi dS OC lnCbilOusu. II luii dulOuIl Ol
criminal prosecutions are coming up Yer
mont poor-houses are fast repIenishing. Re-
formed inebriates are relapsing, and the
budding joys of many families are turned TO
Sorrow
These things are just what every sober
man must have anticipated as the results of
The popular vote in March last. That vote
brought back The reign of death and innu-
merabe woes; and it ought 10 cover the
friends Of temperance with shame and sor-
row. That strange and shameful vote was
the result of our inactivity, and not OF fall
ing oil from temperance principles in the
State. The proximate canses Of it, we think,
ale obviously the following:
!. The annual meeting of the society last
year, iell upon time when attendance from
any considerable distance was almost impos-
sibe. That meeting was small. awakening
but little interest, and exerting only a fee
BILE Influence upon the State. This was ex-
ceedngly unpropitious.
2. The friends OF temperance felt great
security on account of the large majority for
mo license" the previous year every one
seemed 10 suppose the temperance ticket
would prevail again without any effort.
Consequently very little exertion was made.
3. Some may have felt discouraged be-
cause The temperance laws did not dry up all
The fountains of death at once.
4. The fundamental principles of the tenn
perance reform were less frequently discussed
and pressed upon the consciences oimen and
The evils of intemperance were in some de-
gree lost sight Of. Men felt less, and there
fore were less in earnest,
These causes are sufficient for all the re-
suits of the past year. As they are all with
in our reach, and easily removed, they offer
no Encouragement. There are some things
also which render the present time especial
Iy favorable 10 united effort. The terrible
dorgs of the rum traffic must serve as an
effectual cure for indifference. We are con
strained 10 feel on this subject by what our
eyes have seen and our ears have heard. The
experience of year has carried conviction
10 many minds, which arguments had failed
10 reach. We think it must convince all
friends oftemperance that nothing but ruin
awaits US in turning back. Any measure Of
sacrifice and cost in prosecuting the work
is triflng compared with the fruits OF intem-
perance.
Your committee think there never has
been greater encouragement 10 90 forward,
and that there has never been greater -eadi-
ness TO engage in the work.-Uhat is 10 be
done? is The question from all sdes.-The
answer is anx;ously waited for. The answer
10 this question is the appropriate business Of
thus meeting.
The Central Committee suggesl,a as among
the things TO be done
LIST. That the doctrines of total absii-
nence- abstinence for conscience sake-ab-
sIinence for our own and tie best good Of the
community-absinence as the only remedy
for the enormous evils of intemperance. must
be reiterated throughout the Stale, and
pressed home upon the hearts of men till
they feel its truth and power. This is the ha-
sis of all permanent results, and it demands
slime upon line"
I'd. That determined efforts should be
made 10 have the License Law speak the
Irath and no longer belle and falsely the
State. 1t has been said and is still saying
that the voice OF Vermont is for Rum which
is false, and every undetermined freeman
should resent the foul indignity. At the bat
tie of Saratoga, when cannon was taken
from the enemy, the first thing was 10 swear
il TO sneak true for The colonies, and then IL
was turned upon the foe. tits quite time
the law was taken out Of The hands Of the
enemy-sworn TO be true and faithful. and
then turned against him. And il should be
made TO speak with majority that will be
"like the sound of many waters."-lt is i'm
poriant that every town and school district IN
the State should be thoroughly explored.
One town society has recommended the for
nation of district societies, and profiers
common school library, worth from fifteen TO
twenty-five dollars to the district which Sc
cures the largest proportion of ali lis inhab-
itants over seven years of age, 10 the tenn
perance pledge.-This will do the work IN
that town. This, or some other plan, may
do il in every town.
Sd. That special efforts be made TO Sc
cure the cooperation Of the newspaper press
throughout the State. The Committee re-
greet that .hey are compelled 10 report The dis
continuance Of the Temperance Herald with
in the year, and especially thati was discon-
tinued for want Of adequate support. Still Ii
ough, no, greatly TO surprise US, that IN
limited territory, where so many papers al,
ready had an existence, it should be iound
difficult to sustain new one, devoted special
= The States Attorney for Rutland county |