The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-02-01
State Temperance Convention.

convention, ana lay before our read
ers what was not at hand in season
for our last. The report of the Ex-
ecutlve Committee reached us so late
and occupies so much room, that we
have left, consistently with other
claims, little space for remarks.
Recurring to our last weeks re-
marks, however, We must say that the
aspect Of the meeting as a whole does
not appear, in the published journal,
just as we then supposed. In the re-
solutions respecting the Standard and
some others, We confess that there is
an appearance of favoring the forma-
ton of an organized Temperance party,
which we did not expect, and which
does not commend itself to our iudg.
mcnt. Not having been able to par
ticipatc in these proceedings, we may
not understand the sentiment that
dictated them or all the considerations
urged in their favor but having said
what we did last week, we cannot
publish what is now before us in ST.
lencc, without being thought to approve
what, with our present light, seems to
US wrong.
In one of the very earliest numbers
of this paper, published twenty.cight
years ago. we took our position on the
same ground with the leading advo-
Gates Of temperance. We have con-
stantly, earnestly, and, We believe,
consistently, advocated the cause ever
since, supporting, as VIC have been a.
bic, the various measures that have
from time to time seemed necessary to
its complete success. We have gone
heartily with State Conventions thus
far. But as to identifying ourselves
with an organized Temperance party.
if such thing is contemplated. with
our present views respecting the ne
cessity Of such measure, we must
decidedly decline. We hope our
friends Of the Convention will not ask
it of us we trust they did not mean
it. But the aspect Of the proceedings
connected with what was said in our
last, calls for this expression of ON
convictions. The grounds Of them VIC
have not room now to state.
We notice that some of the political
papers complain, and we think with
reason, Of the action of the Convention
in regard to the press. Some Of those
papers have been able and efficient adj
vocatcs Of the law, and it may well be
doubted whether we should now have
enjoyed its benefits, but for their aid
1t was with their assistance, and before
the publication of the Standard was
commenced, that the law was enacted
The editors are active members of ex-
listing parties, but certainly deserve
none the less credit Oh that account
nor, it seems to us, is it either Just, OF
wise, or prudent, for the Convention tC
ignore them as Temperance men, or tc
pursue such a course as must tend t.
deprive tho cause of their cordial sym
patty. We presume no such thin.
was intended by the Convention but
certainly it is to be regretted that its
acknowledgements to the press were
so very limited in their range. The
Convention might, if such was its view
hold up the Standard as its model Of
the style of advocacy which it wishes
to see general but it ought also, il
seems to US, at least, to recognize, in
the same connection, the important
the essential all it has for years re
ceived from other papers, especially
the political ones. The religious papers
ask no such acknowledgements upon
this subject their position is known and
read OF all men, and it is 50 much 9
habit to rely on their aid, that no new
acknowledgement is needed. - u
Chronicle.
On the same subject the Rutland
Herald (whose editor has ever been 9
firm supporter of the Liquor law
says:
The present prohibitory Liquor Law
was passed before the existence of the
temperance STANDARD, and without
the organization of a temperance poll
teal party.
If the object Of the late State Ten
perancc Convention was to increase
the circulation of the Standard, and
organize political temperance party,
then it worked hard to accomplish that
object. But if its object was to ad-
vance the cause Of temperance among
the people, and to allay unjust opposi-
ton to the liquor law, we fear that it
missed of its aim.
There is not nor will there be, a
distinct political party organized a
gainst the liquor law, unless there is a
party got up especially for its support.
4 1t is assuming a great deal to say that
the political parties of this State are of
no consequence, and that all the men
who vote as wings, democrats, and
freesoilers are merely dishonest poli-
ticians.' If the liquor law is not made
dependent on party success it may be.
come quietly permanent, and the peo-
pie may acquiesce in its execution,
and almost habitually support it. But
fit is made dependent on the success
Of particular party, then the exists
ence of that party, and the offices to
be held by the leaders Of that party,
become dependent on the existence of