The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-02-05
Report Of the Temperance Central Com
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upon the success which has crowned the eff,
forts Of another year. Last year we were
happy 10 report that the character of Yer
mont had been redeemed FROM the imputa-
ton which the acts Of previous year had
cast upon it. Now we rejoice to say, Yer
mont looks as if she meant 10 stand firm and
do her duty. With humble gratitude we
acknowledge the good hand of God which
has prospered our work.
AT the last Annual Meeting the Central
Committee were instructed 4" In the event of
favorable decision Al the polls in March,
TO circulate memorials, praying the Lcgisa-
ture Of Vermont to rtertlict the sale Of in~
toxicating liquors, MS beverage, by per-
mnent law" Although the vote was not as
decisive as seemed to be anticipated at that
mccting still the Committcc deemed it in.
cumbcni on them to prepare a memorial :;
and copies suili-ient to supply every town
in the State, were printed and sent out by
the lroprietors Of the Vermont Chronicle.
The Committee have no means Of ascer-
tanning how extensively these were circu-
lated, or how many signatures were obtained
The result, however, is well known. We
have at length secured permanent prohib-
itory law We do not say it is perfect law,
but we venture to affirm there is 4. none bet
ter, if rs good" Aside from its permanency,
it is decidedly an improvement upon former
legislation. 1t secures concurrent iur;slic-
ton to Justices, giving it efficiency not to be
had when every case must wait herring at
the county courts. BY the provision for town
agents to sell for medicinal and mechanical
purposes, it removes the temptation to sell
improperly arising from the pecaniary profits.
L also provides remedy when any paiticu-
lar town is remss in enforcing the law, and
it furnishes new facilities for the prosecution
and conviction Of those who violate it. In
these respects there is decided improve
ment upon the OLD law.
1t now remains for the friends of Ten rer-
ance to accept this law in good faith, and to
unite in sustainingi it. Legislation has done
all we had hoped for; but legislation alone
cannot accomplish the work. 1t has with
drawn its direct support from the traffic, and
now offers its aid in suppressing il. This is
all that the law can do, and this avails US
nothing unless We use il wisely.
What then is our present position? BY
securing permanent law, we have gained
something. and have also lost sonething-
something very important to the successful
prosecution of Our enterprise. Heretofore
we have been compelled to meet this ques-
ton once a year at the ballot box. Once a
year the frecmen Of Vermont lave been
called out 10 meet distinct issue. This has
been the signal for effort, for discussion. for
earnest appeal. The results Of each cam.
paign wen always palpablo, telling with a.
rIhmcical certainty, where we stood. While
the fate Of the day hung in suspense, hun
dreds and thousands engaged with their
might, enlis,ing recruits, en-
ploying the tongue and the press TO cnsht-
en- and direct public sentiment Even DE-,
feat only aroused to more united and deter
mined eject. The effort was like that of
the burning Of our capitol in the late war
with England, which called cut the energies
of the nation and put an end to the war.
But now the scene is changed, and we
have lost this incentive to effort There is
10 longer yearly trial of strength at the
ballot box; there is no longer distinct IS
sue before us, and no crisis regularly re-
turning to give energy to our movements.
As a matter OF course, it will be more di.li-
;ult to awaken interest ana secure attention.
1t will not be as easy to determine our pro-
5ress, il our cause advances; or TO prove
hat we are retrograding, should the cause
leelne. Is there no dangerthat the friends
If temperance, like Hannibal after the bat.
le of Cann@, will 20 into winter quarters
or rest and relaxation, concluding that all is
aie after SO great victory?
We would not intimate that we have lost
aore than we have gained, by the change of
he law ! but we would have it well under
TODD that there is 4 change in our position
Which demands earnest consideration. We
ave gained an advantage, hut it requires
ur united wisdom and energy to hold it. 1t
5 our decided conviction that lhe first great
bject with the Society is to mark this fta-
ure in our position, and to provide some
Ich substitute for the incentive which is
st, as will make it certain that the princi,
les and the claims of temperance shall be
cid up and urged with continued zeal and
pint. From the necessities cf the case, the
oatest for years has been chiefly with the
saized traffic. 1t lay directly across our
a'h' and palsied all Our efforts. This bar ,
er is now broken through, and the law I
ands ready to aid US 50 far as to guard and
'ierd the ground which We may gain. We
C now free TO direct all our energies to the
'osecuion Of our original work, which was
It half accomplished. Public sentiment
zen now is bat very imperlecIly instructed
I'd settled thousands are yet to be gained
er to temperance by arguments and ap-
ais and other thousands are ready 10 iall
ck to the ranks of inlem?eranco SO soon
efforts cease. 1t must not be forgotten -
a, our work is still as the swimmers the Il
st ocean still threatens TO devour US if "
front II not brayely, il will keep its word" "
The Committee recommend this point to !,
c particular attention of this meeting We -
e deeply concerned 10 see the law execut- y
and 10 render everv ,,oss;lI Ia all 90 a. u