Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-02-02
VOL. XIX, NO. WHOLE NO. $500.

ance movement, and convinced the
public that those who have been re-
garded as lost may be saved.
The Sons Of Temperance are also
worthy of especial notice. They too
have been active and very success
ful in reforming inebria,es. Taking
the advantage of combined effort and
the secresy Of their operations, they
have afforded most efficient aid in
executing the law, and in carrying
forward the temperance reform.
The year that has just closed has
its hlstory.-Though short, it is i'm
portant. The alteration made in the
law in 1853, took effect January / a,
1854. The law being thus shorn of
half ito terrors, evil doors took cour-
age. The sales may have diminish
ed, but it is believed that a brisk
business has Leen going on in giving
away. 1t is well understood how the
law may now be evadcd, and all W no
choose improve the opportunity.
The 18th section has been decided
by one of the Circuit Judges, uncon-
stItutional. Actions of assault and
battery and false Imprisonment have
been sustained, before his court, a.
galnst judicial and executive officers,
tor endeavoring 10 enforce il. Thus
by the action Of the legislature and
the judiciary, the tables have been
completely turned. The officers of
the law, instead Of being exposed to
punishment, for neglecting to enforce
it, have actually been subjected to
the payment Of damages and costs
for having honestly endeavorcd to
perform their duty! The consc-
quence is, tina; that portion Of the law,
in one quarter Of the State, has be-
come dead letter. No one chooses
to expose himself to the payment Of
damages and costs and the vexation
of lawsuits, by hazarding an attempt
TO enforce it.
One of these cases is to be carried
to the Supreme Court for revision,
and we feel confident that that tri-
bunal will sustain the law in that par
,icular, as it has done in all others
submitted to its consideration IL we
add the loss, in the House, Of the
Senate amendments, the shady side
of the years history will be complete.
There is however sunny side.
The circumstances all being consid-
cred, the result, of the last September
election, may be regarded as bright
spot in the picture. 1t was no com
mon time. The excitement occa-
casioned by the repeal Of the Mis-
sour Compromise, was intense aud
oyerrId everything. Serious appre-
tensions were entertained as 10 the
result in reference TO the temperance
question. Notwithstanding this, the
Seua,e which is the better represent
alive of the popular sentiment, were
almost unanimous in its favor. The
House was more equally divided.
They rejected the Senate amend
ncnts by small majority. Still it
is insisted by many intelligent gentle
men. who had an opportunity to form
correct opinion, that had the vote
been taken earlier in the session, they
would have been adopted. Their
loss was owing more TO the want of
consideration, than to hostility TO the
restrictive policy.
The Governor, in his message,
came out decidedly in favor of /" the
probibiiory system" and urged its
continuance. He says eff amend
men,s in the present law are attempt
ed, they should be made with no
view 10 weaken the policy Of proh-
bition." He adds, "nor would |
counsel hesitation in carrying out
that policy, from any fear that the
legislative power TO enact Prohibition
to its present extent, will be iudic
tally denied" Here is an expression
in favor Of the conslitutionality Of the
law, Of great value. Coming from
the source it does, from one who has
long been at the head Of our ludici-
airy, it must have great weight. and
go far in putting that question for
ever at rest. This certainly con-
trasts most favorably with the exc
cutivc message Of the year before, in
which a contrary doctrine was held.
The last, though not least impor-
tant event Of the year was the result
of the November elections in New
YORK. This was no small victory.
Nearly four hundred and seventy
thousand combatanis were engaged.
The resources employed were i'm
mense,-the conflict long and Sc
we're, ---every inch Of ground contest
ed, and the triumphant Of moral prin-
ciple sublime. In this result, Yer
mont has no ordinary interest. Ever
since we adopted the policy Of pro-
hibilion, we have been exceedingly
annoyed, by the liquor shops Of New
York, located along upon the line Of
the State. From this nuisance we
may now reasonably expect soon to
be relieved, by that State passing a
law similar to our own.
IL, in reference TO the temperance
question, we compare the state Of
society in 1885 with the present, we.
shall perceive that great work has
been done and great revolution
effected. True, it has oeen a work
&c a.n,a al &C III 40 -. L-..