The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-02-27
FoR THE GALAXY.

er than by their appetite or their interest, have
procured to be printed for extensive distribu-
ton, considerable portion Of Kitchel's Prize
Tract on " The Liquor Traffic" Some of the
friends of Temperance, regret that we did not
add to our selection, the last topic Of Mr.
Kitchel's Tract; and have been requested
to ask of YOU the favor of inserting it in your
paper. 1t is entitled RECENT ATTEMPTS AT
LEGISLATION. Nj.
But we have already entered upon this last
stage of the Temperance Reform. For sever
al years past our work has been lmpetlng US
to more direct conflict with the Traffic, and
in several of our States this decisive battle is
already begun.
But our attempts thus far have only been in
troductory. Assuredy we shall not rest IN
these indirect methods of legislation. 1t has
doubtless been wise to approach the question
of Law experimentally, until 1t shall have ma
tured itself in the popular mind. And no plan
could have secured this so we'll as that which
we have been trying, by submitting the late OF
the Traffic, town oy town, to the sufirages OF
people. But we shall have far other Law than
this. Our aim is to secure as speedily as pos
sible direct legislation against the Traffic IN
intoxicating drinks, as against other perniclous
and criminal practices. We shall not cease to
demand legislative action until this work OF
temptation and destruction is directly prohib-
tied under severe penalties. Meantime we
have urged this scheme of local and popular
legislation in the primary assemblies of the
people only as an initiative 1t is very i'm
perfect measure, but its excellence for the time
w. .b0 not o1a
ate such mode of legislation against theft,
nor shall we long tolerate it in this case.
But have not all our attempts in this direc-
ton failed Very far from il. And if any
are disheartened by recent apparent reverses,
of the following thoughts.
In the nature of the case so wide change
in legislation as this is, from favoring to re-
for a season with popular revulsions, There
will be period Of fluctuation. This should
have been anticipated by US from the first As
yet the people know not fully what they mean
in this matter. The real intent and purpose
of this State is, that there be Law against the
Traffic, and that will at length be the result.
Meanwhile the wish of the people has not yet
clearly become their will. Unstable souls are
shaken from side to side. The popular voice
is uncertain. All this is but natural, 1t is on
ly the beginning of the end, and should create
no alarm. This cause has been Injured from
its infancy to popular clamor. In the midst of
just such agitation and stormful debate it has
won its triumphs; and now that it has reached
hardy and vigorous maturity, we need not
fear to trust it once more to wind and wave.
For time it will meet with doubtful recep-
ton, and with temporary rejection but it will
return again like the stronger flow of obstruct-
ed waters, sweeping all obstacles before it.
The question has gone down to work itself out
among the people, and ere long it will emerge
in the shape of an imperative and undeniable
popular demand for prohibitory Law against
this traffic.
There is need among US Of a more philos-
ophic composure in view of these temporary
checks We should mingle with our wishes
more of hopeful trust in the strength of great
principles. Let US watch with confidence the
process by which the great experiment is
wrought out, possessing our souls in patience
as well as in zeal, sure that what men may
call defeat by Gods favor hides in it bless
ing and a victory.
1t is not now as it has been in years past,
when the Temperance sentiment was mainly
operative in other directions, and conscious of
weakness submitted to legislation which it could
not avert. All parties have felt at liberty, in
time past, to treat it with contempt and oppo-
sition, for it could be done with impunity.-
Now it has gained strength; and though it is
the creature of no party, owing allegiance to
none, and connecting itself with no party as
such, it has nevertheless become most Infiu-
entail element in the political world. The de-
mand comes up more and more loudly from
the heart Of the people, for protection against
the intolerable ravages of the Spirit-trafic, for
legal restraints on source Of wo, penury, and
crime surprising all others, and which nomor-
al means can reach. 1t is rising, still rising,
already passing into the ascendant, already
having power to pull down and to set up
What they shall do with it-what it will do
with them-are questions of deep interest to
those who at this crisis have place and power
in the State. Will they consult for the right,
or yield to the clamors of the thirsty? VIII
they listen to the voice from above, or to the
an espousal of the doomed traffic would be to
not anticipate an act Of such blind infatuation
enough to count the cost of such step.
has not been sufficiently weighed, and which
will be still more needui in the future. There
IS an inherent in.possiblity that neso LdD should
al once hare all the force and easy applicability
of that ,chich is old. The conditions of the
case forbid the perfect immediate operation of
a recent statute in matter like this. And
we call on all whoare DESTROYS of better Laws,
to forearm themselves with considerable antici-
pations as to the immediate working of even
a perfect Law, when We get it. The demand
seems to have been that in this transition state !
Of the popular mind, when it has indeed made
itself up prevalently, but only partially, in IA
vor of restrictive Law-while as yet old pre-
udices, customs, and appetite conspire might
" against it, and the newness of the Law for
bids it those supports of age, authority, and
Usage on which the efficiency of the Laws so
argely depend--that a recent Statute, amid
Ill these Instructions, should 90 at once into
mooth and easy and universal operation =
There shall be no fair trial-time, no day of
race, no considerable allowance for the pecu-
IL L. NTH - 0,,a