Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-10-02
miscellaneous.


publish the same in their respective papers.
Friends Of temperance, Of iuC, and The public
wcfarel
Set, as the undersigned arc, as watchmon
20 observe tho movements which are made
within our bounds, both against and in favor
of the temperance cause, we deem it our duty
TO announce to you, that, In our view, things
are maniiostly coming to momentous crisis.
The adversaries of the cause are numerous,
Jealous, and determined. Recruiting Offices,
often partly underground, and generally kept
under some imposing dsgnise, are establish
ed in, VIC fear, most Of our towns. where
tempting but delusive boun.ics arc offered 10
ak who will enlist in a crusade against all
laws and efforts suited h restrain men from
encouraging or practioinr Oh Incorporate use
OF Intoxicating liquors tndor the discipline
Of old and experienced tacticians. those who
have long been accustomed to drink are con-
/ firmed in the practice rendered more than ev-
er opposed TO all attempts TO save them; while
hosts Of young mon are cunningly initiated
into the orgies Of Bacchus, and secretly sup
/ piled with the tempting but fatal liquid, to
be swallowed there or to be carried away in
pocket bottles, and used while travelling, or
engaged in their daily vocations; where as
sociates meet for conviviaity. or in school
houses, where they should assemble for the
purpose Of acquiring useful learning Young
mon under such influences, have been known
to assemble and drink even to drunkness, on
the Sabbath
Large quantities Of liquor, most Of it we
have reason to believe drugged and poisoned.
are clandostinely brought into the State, and
unlawiully sold TO all who will purchase it.
Some Of the licensed sellers in violation Of
the law and of every obligation recognized
by honorable men, have sunk. it Is said, TO
the infamous degradation of pandGing, for
filthy lucrc, to the base appetites Of drunk
ards. We hope such men are few. We know
the business Of selling according to law is in
various places entrusted only TO men Of stor-
ling integrity Dcmagogles, wanting the
support of frumsellers and drinkers, have been
tempted to connive at, if not directly encour-
age, these evil practices representing that
the law is unreasonable, and ought to be re-
pealed. A great effort has been commenced
60 break down the law. and to sweep away
every barrier opposed to the full force of out
bursting intemperance. And this effort, it
must be confessed is continually growing
more and more formidable.
During this state of things the great body
of the friends of temperance, apparently think
ing, that the battle has been fought and the
victory oained or that the law aided nv the
oficors or tho stato soc;ety oed onvil;sry
organizations and civil r,aoistrotes would do
whatever is necessary IN be dome have sunk
into a donlorablo stote of inactivity and nm
concern Tho old voluntory tooncrapco as
sociotiors socr olrost nnt.ors,Ily to bayo
fallen in pioaes. and the Ie sNoollan, % it
is. is only in some places duly executed. All
efforts both in the way Of persuasion and Of
law arc. in great measure paralyscd: and
rumsellers and drinkers and their patrons are
daily becoming moro bold and confident of
success
In this state of things, what is to be done
Arc you willing that all tho advantages which
YOU have gained i'm time past should be lost
Willing to see law and order troddon under
foot-to see the dcvotecs Of Alcohol triumph
ant-to be heavily taxed for the support of
paupcrs thus multiplied-and your peace dis
turbed, your property and lives endangered,
by the vices aud crimes which an increase Of
iuebriates will not fail to multiply; Arc You
willing to see the young men about you, TO
see some of your own brothers or sons, train
ed up for a life of degradation and criminal
ity: to occupy iails and pcnitentiaries. and
sink at last into the drunkard grave No;
YOU wish something efeotual to be done to
avert calamities so dire.
But what shall be done; And who shall
do it. We have been urged to send out Lee
turers of commanding eloquonce and influence
able to rouse the whole community and to
carry all with them Blu. where are the men
to be found: Some men Of ability and moral
worth sufficient to give them a fair standing
among ministers, LAWYERS. or legislators, we
have sent. and may send too few even of
such can be obtained: but the idea of secur-
ing the services of men Of such mighty elo-
ouonce as Cough. or Spurgeon, or Petor the
hermit. TO electrify and rouse the drowsy
community. is not likely to be realized. The
thing specially wanted is. that the friends of
the cause, still numerous and influential,
should themselves engage in it heartily and
with perseverance.
Friends. let the demands of the crisis be
realized. Let temperance sermons and lee
lures fun of truth and oarncstncss, entirely
adapted to the state of things in each place,
be delivered by men on the spot. in the audi
ence of those who like themselves know the
truth. Let voluntary temperance organiza-
tions be revived. and all classes as far as pos
sible. but especially the youth of both sexes,
be persuaded to unite and take an active part.
I . . 49,, s. L,,s;r,css arH ,,f inauonco ;nst,,I