Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-12-02
The Liquor Law.

asked by Mr. Hager, on the ground that he had
voted for the law by mistake that the House
requested the Senate to return the bill for the
purpose of reconsideration that the Senate ask
ed e Governor to return it, which request wls
complied with; that mot on to reconsider in
the Senate was negatived; that two or three
other attempts we're made in the Senate to get
the bill back TO the House, all of which failed on
account Of the rules, which could not be suspend
ed without unanimous consent-and that consent
was asked, and refused by ore Senator. The
House unquestionbly would have given another
trial if it could have got the bill; and had not
the rules interposed, we do not doubt that the
Senate would. at any time on Monday afternoon,
have returned the bill 10 the House. The op-
portuniry to do so was lost, when the Senate
voted not to reconsider its vote Of concurrence
in the amendment OF the House. From that
moment the bill was, by the rules, utterly beyond
the reach Of the Senate without a suspension of
What the fate Of the bill would have been if re-
considered, is not entirely certain. 1t is GER
tain, however, that It fairly passed in the
House, notwithstanding the alleged Though con
troyerted) mistake Of Mr. lIager; Tor there was
a mistake the other way also. As 1t is we do not
regard the matter as really of any consequence,
except SO far AS it gives an opportunity to the
opponents of the measure 70 find fault. Really,
the People have to settle the matter according 10
their own views. If they want the Jaw, they are
to say SO. Ii they do not want it, they won't
have it The friends and opponents OF the law
have a clear field and chance for a fair fight
and if either class suffers the chance TO 20 10y
default, we hope they may have The good sense
to blame nobody but themselves As editor Of
one of the political papers in this village" we
inform the editor Of one of the so called religious
papers that we tceie in favor of letting the mem
bers of the Legislature represent their consti
tuents on this question, and we are now in favor
of letting The people act us they see fit. TO be
effectual, this law must be backed up by public
opinion and to be eifectually backed up, that
opinion must be calmly and voluntarily express
ed. A snap verdict, in time Of excitement, will
not be the one most favorable for the efficiency
Of the law, if it shal 90 into effect at all A full
vote, after calm consideration, ia most desirable
We publish the act in this paper, aud invite
the attention Of every reader 10 1.-THE attention
OF the women and the children, as well as of the
men who are to vote.
Two objections were made to the act IN the
debate in the Legislature that it is unconstitu-
tiona and tyramca Our ndvce to every freeman
is to bother himself about neither of these obiec-
tons. The constitutional question will be set
tied by the courts, If the act goes into effect, and
it cannot be settled in any other way The other
objection may also be summary disposed Of
Every law restraining the will or the Conduct Of
the citizen against his own inclination is tyranica
in the same sense. Nevertheless for the pur-
pose Of protecting life and property and preser
wing good order in society, the people have sub
mitted to many prohibitions and privations.--
Shall they submit TO one more, for the purpose OF
preventing intemperance, with all the privations,
caiaanties and crimes growing out of that terri
Bile evil That is the simple question for the
people to settle. The act submits that question
and if determined affirmatvely, the so called
"tyranny" of this law becomes the act Of the
people, and in no sense will it be any more tv-
ranncal" than is every law which restraints vice
or pnnishes crime. Those laws are tyranni-
cal" to those who do not like them-and so will
this be.
Now what is the prvation to which every citi-
zen is asked 10 submit? 1t is, plainly, that he
shall not manufacture, sell, furnish, or give
away, by himself his clerk servant, or agent.
any sprluous or intoxicating liquor or mixed
liquors OF which part are spirluous or intoxi-
eating" except as is provided in the act The
provisions are, that The iruit Of the vine may he
sold for sacramental purposes and intoxicating
liquors may be sold by authorized pers ms. fol
medicinal, chemical and mechanical purposes
only culinary purposes" added, to cider. -
In short, the making, selling, furnishing or Civ
ing away any kind of intoxicating liquors 10 b.
used as bererGge, or drank for fun or with
out necessity or good cause, are all forbidden
under heavy penalties, and the right of searcl
is given to see il liquors kept for sale contra
~ to law; and ii so il shall turn out, the liquo
is to be destroyed This is forbidden 10 you
render; md the question is, if you are a voter
NiH you agree 10 II.
This, we think, is fair statement of the case
and We hope twill be fairly met. Let each mal
decide for himself, as personal matter III,
law appeals TO him individually ; and, If It goe
into effect and man violates it, he ought t,
take it for granted that the law will apply to hin
individually. Then let every man determine 70
hnseif whether he will agree to the proposition
Let the incorporate man consider whether h,
will or will not seal the fountains which suppl,
his own craving and corrodng appetite an,
the temperate drinker, whether il is or Is not hi,
duty, 10 himself, 10 his friends, 10 society, ant
To incorporate drinkers, to unite in the work o
excluion: and the cold Waterman, whether
having saved himself, he can do anything in thf
way towards saving others; and the dealer il
intoxicating drinks whether, having continued IL
the business because others will sell if h. doe
not" it will or will not be best for him to try I,
prevent everybody from selling. These ar,
practical questions, for each man to decide Go
himself We do not wish to argue them, or t,
see them settled in any other way than By vol
untary yea or nay from every voter in the state
Public opinion viii then be fairly tested, an,