Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-02-19
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COM-
MITTEE OFTHE STATE TEMPER
ANCE SOCIETY.

| MITTEE OF THE STATE TEMPER
ANCE SOCIETY.
The Committee mention with commenda
ton the labors Of tho lecturers in different
Distrcts--R. L. Perkins, ESD, in Chitten-
den. Lamoile, and Grand Islo Counties
Mr.. Guy C. Sampson in Windsor and Wind
ham Counties Rev, A. j. Copeland in Or
ange, Caledonia and Orleans Counties, and
Rev. Mr.. Clement in the North W estern part
of the State. These gentlemen have lectured
organized Temperance Societies, and obtained
subscriptions to the fund. The following
particulars of Mr.. Copcland's experience are
given
He informs us that he was cordially To-
ccivcd almost everywhere, and generally had
respectable audiences to hear him. Still he
was panied to find so manifest want Of zeal
and energy in regard to both moral suasion
and the due execution Of the law upon trans
gressors In one place, in the Northern part
Of the State. where the clandestine dealers
had been amerced in fines suited to teach them
consideration. the town assumed the response
bility of discharging them and thus they
wore cmholder"d to prosecute their nefarious
business. Yet, as a general fact, our agent,
thinks that the law in that part of the State
is respected, and commendablc efforts are
made by some of the friends to enforce it.
He observes The beneficial effects of our
law are in part neutralized along Canada
line for good many miles, Liquors being
brought in so freely from Canada. We have
there, also, the cearest demonstration of the
utility of our law. Quite up to the line
there are few if any illegal sales, and gen.
eral sobriety and good order prevail but on
crossing the line, the stores are piled up with
liquor barrels and drunkenness is the order
of the day red eyes, bloatcd faces and
fumes Of alcohol meet YOU everywhere. -
Yet devoted friends of Temperance may be
found even there, who earnestly besought our
agent to come over and help them which he
was unable to do. Mr.. Copeland states that
he was deeply gricved, while prosecuting his
work, to learn that young men are extensive
ly in the habit Of using intoxicating liquors
for exhiaration, and thus preparing them
selves to follow their predecessors in the same
course through miserable life to drunk
ards grave. He says They buy the poi
soncd liquors, carry their bottles in their
pockets, and drink even unto drunkenness -
Several cases have come to my knowledge of
young men who have lost their lives by this
habit. One, less than twenty years of age,
died of dclirlum tremens. There are many
honorable exceptions, many young men of
sterling integrity, and firm i'll their temper
ance principles but from the information
which has come to us from every quarter, We
are constrained to fear that the practice Of
drinking. among this interesting class Of our
E-I1 =. l.. -
BILE obstacle now in the way of the promotion
of this great and good cause. This is what
we had not anticipated,
Tho Report proceeds as follows
In regard to agencies we are happy to say
that all have been conducted with such regard
to economy, and the men employed have been
so far successful in obtaining contributions,
that no debts remain for our successors in Of
flee to discharge
Our State Temperance Law remains in all
its integrity, its confirmed constitutionality
its adaptedness to answer the purposes for
which it was framed, and has been found to
work well when iudiciouslv and faithfully
brought to bear upon its violators II is be
leved that no State or Government has ever
tlldtl'i IL btNttI iiW lpI illt HlottCtiOn VI lts
citizens against the ravages of intemperance.
Its enactment and continuance have been oh
tanned by persevering exertion Let not it's
friends be unmndful of the high vantage
ground which they now occupy.
Through a kind Providence We have learn
ed, Just at the close of the year, that the ser
vices Of an able advocate Of our cause NAV be
secured during the remainder Of the winter
and perhaps longer. Mr.. JoHN Ii. W. HAw-
KGNs, of Baltimore is willing to give us hi.
valuable assistance on terms perfectly within
| the means of the Convention and, consider
ing his great experience, and undaunted zeal
in the cause, his untiring perseverance, for
cible manner of speaking, and the great favor
with which his lectures are generally received
| it is to be hoped that he will have full scope
for his cxcrtions, and everywhere meet with s
cordial reception, and liberal encouragement
He has already entered on the contemplated
work, May great success attend his cndeav
! Ors.
On reviewing the past, we must be satisfied
| that the friends of the cause have not laboreI
in vain. \ great and important change has
! been wrought in the customs Of society Ir
private families intoxicating liquors ar,
| entirely hanished from the sideboard , and ar,
! wholly out of use MS a beverage to be presen.
ted 10 friends on social occasions On pub
lie occasions tor, where they We're once deal
out as freely as water, and drunkenness
brawls, fighting and fatal accidents wer
among the results, no man dares now Offer
the maddening poison openly, and con
sequently general temperance, sobriety
peace and security are the order of the day
! SO strikingly has this been the case at ou
agricultural fairs especially, where thousand
have been in attendance from day to day
that strangers from distant parts of tn
country have noticed il with admiration
The amount used in farming and othe
laborious employments is but little indeed
in comparison with that was once common
Give no heed to the false outcry that no goo
has been done, hut thank God, and tax
courage.
There is still need of courage and constan
vigilance, Our old enemy, Intemperancce
though sorely wounded, aud driven into hi
dark lurking places, is by no means dead.
This internal foe, aided by host of lawles
rum-sellers, greedy for filthy lucre of dema
gogues, greedy for ofhce, Of topers, old an
young, greedy for the drunkard's driak,
still at work, though more secretly than here
toiore, extending its deadly rayages on ever
side. Let no man, therefore. who wishe
prosperity to the cause in which we are er
gagged withhold his personal efforts TO pr
mote it, Not only must the ground whic
has been gained be held, but the warfare mus
be pressed on to a victorious consummation
There is need that men of age and exper
encc, of intellectual power and liberal means
that worthy men in all the walks of life tht
mothers who desire that their sons and dsugl
4, l., -.,.Al from tla nf th