Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-02-02

But the vote was taken. The result was n
decided majority in favor of the law taking /
effect at the earliest period.
Though foiled, tho opposition to the law
was continued. In 1853, the Legislature
passed an act, which very much crippled the
Law of 1852. BY that act, a construction is
given to the words, 4" give away which, in
many cases, defeats the enforcement Of the
law The repeal of the 23rd and 2jth Sec
tions. known as The Minor amendments, was,
to say the least, unfortunate.
At the last session of the Legislature. the
committee, to whom the subject was referred
with much care and labor, prepared bill in
addition to, and in amendment Of, the pre-
sent law. Its provisions were iudicious
The men1ment5 were very necessary, and
commended themselves to all, friendly to the
law. Without them, some portions Of it
cannot be enforced with safety. No appre-
tensions were entertained, but that they
would readily pass both branches Of the lie
gislaturc. The Senate passed them. But
Z" horrible dictu," they were defeated in the
House
We can wa another year. But the lahors
of that committee must not be lost The
friends Of prohibition must sec to it, that no
such failure occurs next year. Fit be real
ly intended, " to prevent thefsale Of intoxica-
ting liquors for the purpose Of drinking
why not perfect the law 50 TINT tho object
may be at once attained
In tracing the progress Of the temperance
reformation, the Washington movement de-
serves particular notice. Previous to this.
there was but little hope and butlittle done
for incbriates The doctrine seemed to he.
that their case was hopeless, and that all eff
forts to save them We're useless. They wer3
treated as lost But this organization which
remarkable as it may seem. originated in
drunken dehauch in the city Of Baltimore
adopted different principle. They went to
work to reform thu drunbard. This was
novel feature in the reformation and no less
novel than interesting, to behold inebriates
rising up and exc. ting all their energies in
reforming the brethren. By kindness, by
ontroaty and by perseverance, they accom-
plished great deal. Though not always
successful, they certainly did much good.
They gave new impetus to the temperance
movement, and convinced the public that
those who have been regarded as lost may be
saved.
The Sons Of Temperance arc also worthy
Of especial notice. They too have been active
and verv surcnssrul in raforrning iurJI iatcs.
T,Lirr The advantage of combined effort and
,,'a saero-s- .r their operations, they have
Afforded most efficient aid in executing the
law, and in carrying forward the temperance
reform.
The year that has Just c cosed has its his
tory. Though short, 1t is important. The
alterations made in the law in 1853, took eff
feet January |, 1854. The law being thus
shorn Of half its terrors. evil doers took
courage, The sales may have diminished,
but it is believed that brisk business has
been going on in giving away, 1t is we'll
understood how the law may now be evaded
and all who choose improve the opportunity.
The 18th section has been decided by one
of the Circuit judges, unconstitutional. Ac-
tions Of assault and battery and false impri-
sonment have been sustained, before is
court, against judicial and executive officers
FOR endeavorIng to enforce 1t. 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 Tor neglectlng to enforce H..
have actually been subjected to the payment
Of damages and costs for having honestly en-
dcIvored to perform their duty The consc-
I ..,.o.,oo 80 that that portion of the law, in
one quarter of the State, has become Il dead
letter. No one chooses to expose himself to
the payment of damages Il Il costs and the
veXation Of lawsuits, by hazarding an attemp pit
to enforce it,
One of those cases Ia to be carried to the
Supreme Court for revision, and we feel con
lent that that tribunal will sustain the law
in that particular, as it has done in all
Others submitted to its consideration If We
add the loss, in the House, of the Senate
amendments, the shady side f the year 5
history will be complete
There is however IA sunny side. The cir
cumstances all being considered, the result of
the last September election, may BE- regarded
as bright spot in the picture. 1t was no
common time. The excitement occasioned
by the repeal of the Missouri Compromisc,
woa int,nso and overrid evrrvth;np Sar;ous
| anprehensions " re entertained as to tn, 70
! suft in reference to the temnornuce ou.sriop
/ Nntvithstandino this the senate which il
rho brtter renrrsentntivo ,f tbo nocuInr SON.
,;mcnt. were almost unanimous in its f,vor
/ The House was more eou,llv divided They
rejected the senate amendments Inv a small
majority. S i'll IL is insisted by many intel.
! lipent gentlemen. who had an opportunity to
! form correct opinion. that had the vote
been taken earlier in the session. they would
have been udopted. Their loss W ; owing
more to the want Of consideration, than TO
hostility to the restrictive policy.
/ Tho Governor in His massaGe coma ont
decidedlv in favor of 1.-THE nrobihitorv sy,-
tom - and urged its continuance Ife saws
mif omondments in the nresnnt law arc A.
temntaJ thev should he mode with M view
70 weaken tho nol,cv of nrnhib;tion " Flo
odds nor wnuld | counsel hesitation in
c1rrv;nc out that policy. from onv fear tbnt
the legislative mower to enact proIihition 70
it's nrescnt extent. will be iudicially denied ),
U,r, Is an oynression in favor of the constitn-
tion,litv Of the law. of great value. Coming
from the source il does. from one who has long
hccn Mt the head of our judiciary, it must
boyr grcot weight. and 90 far in p1ttinr that
nnestion forever at rest This certainl2 con.
ttrasts most f,vorobIv with the cxecutirs
r,,"ssacc Of Tho vear before in which con.
tr1rv rJ Doctrine was held. ~
The last, though not least important event
of the year was the result of the November
! election in New York. This was no small
victory. Nearly four hundred and seventy
! thousand combatants were engaged The re.
sources employed were immense The conflict
long and seyer, Every inch of ground waa