Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-02-03

recognize may be committed 10 jan on the war
rant of a Justice.
No action can be maintained for liquors sold
in violation of the liquor law. So none can be
maintained for gambling, horse racing, or bet
ting debts, either on notes. bonds or mortgages.
This provision of the liquor law has been con-
strued in Maine to apply only to liquors sold in
The State, and on that construction the Supreme
Court OF Maine has sustained the law.
1t will thus be seen that the penalties for vio-
aton of the liquor law arc about the same as
for peddlng without lcense,--for nuisances-
for selling or exhibiting obscene books,-for
gambling, and for theatrical and other exhibi-
without license, selling diseased meat,--for
adultersing food, medicine or lquor-for selling
lottery tickets,.and for having in possession tools
for countcrfciting and that the proceedings un-
der the law are analogous to the summary pro-
ceedings for the preservation OF the peace, and
the removal of nuisances. Now consider wheth-
the evils of the traffic in liquors equal to
the other evils which are restrained by like pen
allies and provisions by statute. 1t would be a
low estimate to say that half the crimes, the
pauperism and the insanity in the STATE, and
consequently half the taxes growing out of these
evils, are justly chargeable to intemperance.
Add to this the disgrace and distress to ndvid-
uals and families-the diseases entailed upon
posterity-the immortality, and consequent injury
u community and the loss of the services Of
those who. but for intemperance, might be use
ful and valuable citizens and YOU have some
thing like the sum of the evil of intemperance.
1t is great-it towers hight weighs down
heavily. No single vice is to be compared with
1t. But we already have a stringent law to re.
strain intcmperance, and one which would do
great good if faithfully executed 1t is not
faithfully executed that is evident to every
body. Now the friends of the liquor law claim
that their act is more effective, and is backed
| by heavy penalties upon those officers who neg
lect their duties. Consider, then, whether the
liquor law will be more eflectual in It's work than
the act of 1850. But again, the evil ofintemper-
ance will not be entirely prevented by the liquor
law; and some persons believe that the attempt
thus to stay the evil will only increase the flood
on the reaction Of public opinion. Then consid-
er whether this is likely to be the result of the
law The provisions of the statute do not en-
tirely prevent pedding without license
gamblng-nor nuisances--nor any other offence
or crime; yet nobody doubts that these laws are
valuable IN checking offences. Some of them
are summary, very severe and also unconsttu-
uonal, according to the doctrines advanced a.
galnst the liquor law; yet they have been main
tanned by the people and by the courts Con-
sIder also the bearing of public opinion upon the
liquor law. If sustained by the people strongly
on Tuesday, is not the presumption fair that it
will also be sustained in the execution of it, If
them you ,cisd it 10 be etiecmal, should YOU not
add your unit to the other units that 20 to make
up public opinion But-still again-there are
Objectionable features in the law. which have
been very strongly urged in our columns, and
which, we know, have had great influence upon
some Temperance men. Under the influence of
these objections, and from conviction that the
end of the law viii be bad, though lis purpose is
good, we know that some temperance men in
tend to vote against the law; but we hear that
some incorporate men will vote for il. asa
means of cutting off the fountains which too free
y feed their appetites. Then consider these
objections to the law, remembering. however
that all of them-constitutIona or otherwise
VIII find remedies in the courts and future leg
lslatures. IT, however, these objections stll
outweigh the probable benefits of the law. there
Is but one way TO act-that is, to vote No. If.
IN your judgment, the liquor law is a substantial
advance upon the act of 1850. and is Lkel. IN
produce good fruit, worth having at the risk of
all the consequences predicted by the opponents
OF the law, ~ there is but one way for Won II IS
to say, Yes. But the law is unconstitutional
would you vote Tor an unconstitutional law. oven
though 1t may be effective to prevent intemper
ance' NO. He who believes the law IN he
unconstitutional has no alternative: no mnst
vote No, or violate his oath as freeman. He.
however, who is not satisfied of its unconsti,ul
tionaity although he may doubt, may and ought
to vote for the law, if he regards its intent. pur
pose aud effect be on the whole rood-leavinr
doubtful questions to the courts and future legis-
latures.
The liquor law should not have been passed
IN Vermont until it had been tested in Maine,
Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where modii-
cations are likely to be made it is unsatisfacto.
ry in various particulars it cuts dangerously
close to the Constitution; and the result of the
experiment is doubtful Still the law is before
us for Yes or No, and we do not intend TO
dodge IT, We think the law must be corrected.
modified and adapted to the purpose which all
good citizens admit to be necessary and import.
ant. Whether this can be soonest and best done
by rejecting or trying the law, admits argument.
We have an opinion, on which we intend to
act; and if anybody wishes to know ho,c we act
they shall be welcome after election. In the
mean time we repeat, let every freeman act
according to his own judgment, on ''the law and
the testimony"
lfor the Waterman aud Journal
A