The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-02-05

DO we question its wisdom or its Importance
None of these. 1t is because we have not
full confidence that all in community are
right, that those in authority arc all friends
of temperance, and thar public sentiment
will not every where demand obedience to
it. For such fears watchfulncss over civil
authorities surely, is not the only remedy.
One far more important and cncctual will
be found in the prevalence of temperance
principles and in clevaiing the law to dign
ty of a moral statute. The burden of labor
is with public sentiment, correcting and in
structing till disregard Of this law will brand
as deep stain Of infamy, as disregard Of the
law against theft or adultery When this is
done we shall not fear disregard Of the
law and never till this is done can our fears
be safely put to sleep.
Heretofore the cause Of temperance has
suffered from the unequal distribution Of its
friends and supporters in the several towns
and counties of the State. While some
towns have had divided influence in favor
Of temperance, other towns have been as Ii
,idcdy in opposition. and have openly dis
regarded the law, or purposely winked at its
violations The latter, aside from the inju-
~ done to themselves, have cxerted mis-
,hieyous influence on all around them, by
wca. Ming the force Of the law, and by fur
nish.ng convenient places Of resort for all
who sought Indulgence. 1t concerns us to
inquire whether some more eilectual meas
urcs ought not 10 be employed to strengthen
the hands Of these who dwell in the .nids; of
strong opposition; and whether, un Ter the
provisions of the present la~, liquor shops
in every town may not be eilectually closed.
We are constrained to say that the Lcr-
der warfare sill continues, and Ike every
warfare Of the kinl is peculiarly vexai.ons
and cruel All along our Western lne--ir
not every other line Of the state-the enc
my is enirenched, his batteries are playing,
md his scouts are constantly taking captive
our sons, and plnndcrrg their estates. The
past year has witnessed facts which should
make our blood chill. Can nothing be done
to pat an end TO this? Would it he arro-
CANT or out Of place FOR this Society to rep
resent, to the Legislature OF sister State,
the evils which we suffer from these--worse
than Indian lordes,--crcated by their au-
lhority;-t 10 ask ii it be kind and compatible
with the good fellowship Of States thus to
Wal upon our peace and murder our sons
without any provocaton and to entrcat
them 20 withdraw these savage ic.ces and
break Up their gars.soIis? II such step
should be thought nadnissitle, night @e
not ask our own Legislature TO petition in
our behalf.
Might we not ask the proprietors Of steam
boats ca oar lake, which are half Of the time
within the jurisdiction Of this State, not to
disregard our Laws, Or take advantage oi
their position to aegravate the ravases OF in-
temperance?
The friends Of the cause in other States,
we ARE happy to say, seem to be awake and
prosecuting the enterprise with zeal aad en-
ergy. Massachusetts hes been baked by
unwise legislation, but IS not at all discour-
aged. New Ior,, suffering fccn the same
cause, is preparing to make vigorcui clort
fer a ptohibi,ory law. New Jersey and Eel
aware arc in the field The Vest is even
now taking high ground, and the South is be-
ginning to awake. How much the example
Of Vermont has had 10 do with these moye>
ments, we venture not to say Though |
small among the tribes, she is, past all dis
pute, star oil tie first magnitude in the
constellation, and there may she
shine forever" tic siGr Tia, nerer sets"
1t is but justice to the Sens Of Temper.
ance to say,-that much has been dcno by
them 10 advance the cause both by reclaim
ing inebIiates, and also by nculcating tenn
perance principles. We cherish the hope
that this organization, so rapidly increasing
viii render efficient aid in carrying GU; and
sustaining the temperance law.
To ali the friends Of the cause, we say,
CoURACg-ONwARD-,he work advances,
out the work Is not done. Past achieve
nents more than justify The expectation tha,
Se shall Ultimately "wn the wull-iough;
lay" Not trusting to our own wisdom OF
night, let US meekly learn of him who is wise
n counsel, and lean upon the arm Of his
rengh. The ground we occupy rises high
bove the arena where political strife RACES, 4
nd is Infinitely above the reach Of low am {
ition ard selfish aims Here let US contin- /
e to stand acting like men who seek the i
ood Of all. And may the warm gush Of I
importance feeling pervadng this meeting '
end its qIic1ening influences through every I
Elm and artery in the wide eXtremities OF i
be State. a
Respectfully submitted, b
j. STEELE,
z. Howe, b
w. G. KITrREDGE, b