Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-02-13

| Bontlcmcn IN oach ulstflct VINO might pe uoles
in connection with other professional duties,
to labor in part, during the most favorable
season of the year. for the interests of the
Society. To carry this plan into execution,
an extensive correspondence was had with
persons in different parts of the State. But
here again we were disappointed in most in
stances. We however obtained the services
of Mr.. Guy G. Sampson, who was recon-
mended to the Board as a suitable person for
them by several prominent friends of the
cause. Two districts were committed to his
care, embracing Windham, Windsor Orange
and Washington Counties. He commenced
his labors the goth Of August, and travelled
extensively through the territory assigned
him. and, up to the present time has deliver
ed sixty lectures on the subject Of his mis-
sion, and collected from the Carson league
Fund, and in contributions from friends of the
cause, the sum Of S2SO,50, and also secured
additional subscriptions to the aforesaid Fund
to the amount Of S2l, 600.
And, so far as we have been able to learn,
he has been acceptable as a lecturer, and sue
ccssful in the various departments Of his
work.
In the other districts but little has been c.
complished, except what could be done by a
few voluntary lectures, correspondence, send
ing out circulars and publications on the sub
iect and by such means we have cndcavored
to keep advised Of the condition of the Tenn
pcrance Cause throughout the State. That
the Board might be able TO give energy and
aid in enforcing the law, and to promote the
cause by other suitable means agrccably to
the objects stated in the subscription 10 the
Carson League Fund, it was voted to make
an assessment Of one-half per cent on said
Fund. And a circular was prepared and sent
out to those who were supposed to be active
and interested in the temperance cause in
every town where subscriptions TO the Fund
had been made. accompanied by said subscrip-
ton for collection. In some cases there was
prompt response, by an immediate colloc-
ton and remittance to the Treasury, while in
most cases nothing was done.
The amount collected and how the same
has been expended, viii be seen by the Treas
urers report It may be proper at this point
to say that the Board have cndeavorod to O.
conomise in the use of the money coming
into the Treasury, that with confidence they
viii exhibit to those who have contributed
the same the manner Of its disbursements in
detail We have charged nothing for our
own labor performed in the service Of the So
ciety. although, having held six regular meet
has thereby been spent, and still greater
amount by some of the Board in various du-
ties connected with their office.
1t will be seen by the Treasurcr's Report
that aid has been furnished in some cases
when it was considered necessary to enforce
our Prohibitory Liquor Law. And this we
judge to be in strict conformity with the lead
ing objects embraced in the Carson League
Fund And it should be known by all OPP
posers TO the aforesaid law that the friends OF
Temperance and humanity are unitodly pledg-
ed to furnish all necessary material aid and
active influence TO enforce its salutary and
strong provisions against the nefarious and
ruinous traffic in Intoxicating liquor
On the suggestion of friends of the cause
from Rutland County, the Committee procuir-
cd the publication, in pamphlot farHr OF fiv'
hundred copies Of the very able and timely
decision Of our Supreme Court, as delivered
by Judge Bennett, on the consdutonaity Of
the Vermont Anti-Liquor Law and the same
was sent to leading men in all parts of the
State. This decision is at once an honor tC
the worthy gentleman by whom it is given
and proceeding as it does from the highes
judicial tribunal of our commonwealth, it put
an efectual quietus on the stereotypcd plea o
unconstitutionalty so frequently uttered b,
rumsellcrs, rum-loving pettiioggers, and Office
seekers, for the purpose Of defeating the eff
forts of the friends of Temperance and thu
accomplishment of their own selfish ends. II
connection with this consideration, it is Will
much pleasure that we congratulate the friends
of the cause on the amendments and improve
ments made to the statute on the subject b,
our last Legislature, and we would eXtenJ
our cordial thanks 20 those true and persever
ing men who labored so successfully in secur
ing the same.
We believe that the Vermont Anti-Liquo
Law, as it now exists, although it may not b
perfect. or all that may be found necessar
hereafter, yet is the best of any on the sub
iect of which we have any knowledge in ou
country And also, We have evidence tina
> wherever its provisions we're properly AM
vigorously enforced it is in such places tn
most popular The truth is, the better por
ton of our intelligent people are fully con
vinced that the traffic in Intoxicating drink j
a system that SIS ep1, only cell, and that con
l tauaUy," that it tramplos on every true inter
est Of man, that it has no redeeming quality
and hence, when the strong arm of law inter
poses to suppress this inoxcusable evil, an
t punish the guilty offender, they declare, . 5
r let II be-"
{ These considerations place us upon higho
4 moral and legal vantage ground than was eve
S before occupied And one attained unit
n sooner than was anticipated by those vener
= able pioneers who commenced this great re
form, and continued in its conflict until thei
n mission of life was honoraby closed, an
- when VIC contrast the state of the communit
n at the commencement Of this work, with il
y present condition, we may truly, and wit
It great emphasis, exclaim-" WHAT HATH Go
C WROUGHT y We are happy to believe thu
= there has been, during the past year, u
h clearest demonstration Of the progress
It temperance principles in our State as whole
IS In some few localities where there has bee
If an increase of foreign population, and in otl
It ors. where the officers, whose duty it was
e. esforce the law, have been delinquent, thei
L may have been as much liquor used as
v some former years. But these have been Il
O. exceptions to the general condition throug
le the State. When we consider the goner
Is excitement which has prevailed during Il
h. greater part of the ear,-the many and lari
at public assemblies Of the people, and the ur
o. form sobriety and good order which ha
In characterised such assemblies, we must
o. f,llv convinced that alcohol has not exertt