Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-02-24

February Il, 1854.
Mn. EpIroR You may not be that your
daily paper finds its way into this lar off portion of
the Union but So it is.
noticed with much interest your criticism of the
18th ult., the proceedings of the Vermont State
Temperance Society. If understand your position
rightly, you mean to say ami imply, that Legislative
cnactments, however essential, not the only es
scntiu means mode, of action To- be employed to
universal temperance but that there is u
syst,n of means to be employed to gain this sub
jects that legislation is one means in that system
cardinal to be sure, but only that information
is another that argument, persuasion and appeals
that shall awaken reflection, is another that con-
slant and useful employment is another that Il
scrupulou- pains taking on the part of temperance
men OF all vacations to exclude intoxicating liquor
law from their premises and business connections is
another A; and so on. Now it strikes me, it does
you, that all these and similar means should be
practically regarded in their origin, progress and
results, constituent parts of the same system
that they working together to accomplish one
and the end ; that they are vitality connected
that they mutually dependent Tor their efficacy
that it any one is wanting, neglected, the vitality
and efficiency Of the whole ia propurtionaby Affected
that consequently, each agency in the general sys-
tcln of should be kept in healthy, vigorous
and active state, arrangement and weakness will
ensue Such | understand to be the spirit aud
scope Of your remarks. They seem to me to be
eminently just And here, without meaning t"
divert, in the least, the common mind h"n the
sontal Importance Of such statutory provisions as
are embodied in the Maine liquor law (fur believe
firmly in their necessity and utility a measures of
State policy wish to raise the query, whether or
not temperance mrn, the lovers of thrift and good
order, have thought enough of the good effect to be
produced by incorporating far may be- the
spirit and restraints Of total abstinence into their
business arrangements So that the weight aud in
hucnce the business: of every dap life its industry,
it. trade, its commerce, its positions, its strvinss,
it, daily bread, shall all be brought to bear with
their ever present and wide spread force the side
oi temperance. My thoughts have been turned to
this point OF late, by article incorporated into
certain indcnturcs entered into BY many of the first
citizens OF this place Owners OF mineral lands) with
the American Mining Company, which article is as
follows Neither saii lessons, their heirs or AS
signs, said lc.sco' their successors or assigns,
shall during the life OF this contract erect, establish
OF kcrp, cause, author4c suatr to be erected,
established kept, any dam-shop, or sell or give
away, as beverage, any intoxicating liquor on the
premises hereby leased, cause, authorize or suh,r
the same to be done ana in case of violation OF
any Of the provisions Of this stipulation by said
lc.sors, their heirs assigns, the rent herein
served, which may accrue whilst such violation
exists shall be forever forfeited the use and be-.
ordt of said l,..ers aud in case Of such violation
the part Of said lesscc' their successors assigns