Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-08-06
For the Standard.
About Temperance.

Mr.. EDIToR.-An increased interest
seems to be felt in the cause of temper
ance, and this agitation is necessary Il
the assertion made by temperance men
is true, that young men are in danger
of becoming drunkards." So many of
the most enterprising young men have
Joined the living tide of emigration going
westward, that if Vermont would retain
her good reputation of having moral and
intelligent inhabitants, the subject Of tenn
perance must be agitated until public
sentiment marks the man who drinks to
intoxication with lasting disgrace. As
the temperance reform has progressed,
new steps forward have been taken first,
increasing strength in the pledges; then
a mild law; then one more and more
severe as the times demanded. At each
step many who were professedly strong
friends Of temperance as 1t aOdS, bitterly
oppose the new measure as something al
together in advance of the times, entirely
uncalled for and would injure the cause.
Yet after it has been tried they will ad-
nit that it is beneficial. Now as another
advance has been made,
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
convention the sale of alcohol in any of
its forms ought not to be sanctioned for
any purpose whatever" we see men who
have apparently been zealously laboring
to promote temperance, array themselves
with all their force against this most rea-
sonable advance Of their favorite cause,
before temperance principles can COM
pletely triumph. They begin by consid-
ering it self-evident proposition that the
physician and mechanic must use it.
This we think can not be proved. Are
there not physicians who do not use it
Where it is used, cannot a substitute be
found that will answr the same end P
Let all sons of temperance be as stead
fast as the one who when told he must
take alcohol or have spasms, "guessed
he'd try couple of spasms first" The
result was he did not have the one or the
other.
In the mechanics business we know
articles are finished more elaborately by
the aid of alcohol, and we believe tina
whatever improves mans taste for th,
beautiful and perfect in nature or art
does some positive good; but how small
the good when compared with the evil
man himself, the most perfect of God
creation, rendered disgusting repul
sive object. Society can more easil
bear the loss Of works of art, than sober
temperate citizens. The mariner woul
be considered foolish who would plea
where hundreds of vessels strike. sink
and are lost, plead for it because som
friend might be saved upon it some tim
in the future.
Then why advocate the sale of liquors
Do we not know that as long as it
sanctioned in any way by law, many wi
use it improperly? Support the resolu
ton. No rash measures should be pu
in operation, but this seems to be dicts
ted by the plainest common sense. Sc
ciety should have the power to purify i
self, and let it be done thoroughly. Som
tell us that this resolution is to have a
effect on the next election if that is s.
! voters ought to know it. We beliey
those who started were honest in the
intentions and wished to take the last an
final step, which when taken will remoy
all temptation to intemperance. &c
!, speed the right. Eel.