Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-02-02


BILE refreshments, provisions and ac-
commodations for travellers" The
license TO keep tavern carried the
right 10 sell all kinds CT alcoholic
drinks, to be consumed on the prem
Uses, aud the word Refreshments"
was intended 10 include them. Pub
lie sentiment was universally in their
favor. They were to be found in
all our dwellings, in our houses of
public entertainment, in our stores,
our work shops, in all places of bu-
siness and public resort, and in our
fields.
Laboring men thought they could
work better and faster when inyigo-
rated by rum. Professional men and
scholars, even, fell into a somewhat
similar mode of thinking. Each i'm
agIned himself, while under the in
hucnce of intoxicating drinks, a great
deal brighter and wiser. From ear
ly infancy to the end Of life, all were
continually exposed to acquire intern
perate appetltes and habits. lntoxi-
eating beverages were freely used in
families, at the meetings Of friends,
in social circles, and at all public
gatherings.
They indeed formed sort of cir
culating medium of small change,
very current, eagerly sought for, al
ways plenty, by which numerous on
legations were readily Discharged
Small iavors and neighborIy kindness
were most always cancelled, TO the
entire satisfaction of the creditor, by
glass of rum. They also, more or
less, entered into the consideration
of most business transactions. They
were used 10 make bargains, as ear
nest 30 bind Bargains, and, not I'M
frequently, to break up bargains.
Under such circumstances, was il
strange that the American people
should be called, as they really were,
nation of drunkards p? What else
could be expectedl Indeed it is
matter of asionlshmcnt that they
were not worse, rather than better.
There was however one favorable
circumstance, one limit 10 total ine-
brlatIon Though he was regarded
a hero, who could drink the mos, aud
carry ii off, strange as il may seem,
TO get beasily drunk and fall into the
ditch, was always considered, espe-
ciaIly by the better part Of The com
muniiy, disreputable and vuigar.-
The poor wight therefore, who I'M
fortunately misludged as 10 his pow
ers Of endurance, was often unwil-
tingly exposed TO the gibes, jeers
and tricks OF thoughiless and mis-
chievous boys.
Such were the customs and habits
of this great people IN reference ~
which, strange apathy and indItier-
ence very generally prevailed.
But we have great reason 10 re-
joice aud be thankful, that there
were good men and true, who look
ed out upon this dark scene with
deep emotion. They saw US on the
road to ruin They became alarm
ed They felt that something must
be done 10 arrest us in our down
ward course. They determined TO
exert all their powers to effect re-
formation, TO change public scnli-
meni, and also The habits and Gus
toms of the country. This was
great work. To most minds it APP
peared impracticable. And to those
less firm, less energetic and less per-
scvering, the obstacles in the way
would have proved overwhelming =
But they went TO work. The first
thing was to convince the people,
that, when in health they could live
without rum; that it was not only
not necessary, but positively inlurl-
Gus. This was bold step. Many
and long were the arguments used
to establish these propositions.
TO secure the advantages of con
centra,ed effort, and as a means Of
promoting the object in view, tenn
perance Societies were formed. On
becoming members, each subscribed
the following pledge "The mem
bers of this Society, believing that
the use of intoxicating liquors, is,
for persons in health, not only unne-
cessary, but hurful and that the
practice is the cause of forming in
temperate appc,iles and habits, and
that while il is continued, the evils of
intemperance can never be prevent
ed, do therefore agree thai we will
abstain from the use Of l.sssIIssI
spirits, except as medicine in case
of bodily infirmity, and that in all
suitable ways we will discounienance
the use of them, by those over whom
we have influence and in the com
muniy."
II will be observed that noiwith-
standing the preamble to this pledge
recognizes the broad principle, tina,
"the use of Intoxicating liquors, is,
for persons in health, not only unne-
cessary but hurtful," the pledge is
only "to abstain from the use of dis
titled spirits." TO those unacquain-
ted with the then prevailing habits
and customs, il may appear strange
that fermented liquors were not also
included. But when il is consider
ed how difficult the task to persuade
men TO give up long cherished hab.
its, TO relinquish forever favorite
beverage and TO effect a change in
their opinions and sentiments, il will
be seen that the pledge, though inn