Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-02-18

worth something know that there those who are dis
posed this question Many Il true seem % be
unite perplexed they tell than ever before 70
know what their duty this subject at the present time
But friends Of the cause TO be agreed that there
| "a a duty If we could only find out what 1t Is.
Let us bear mind then that anything ought to be
done, something can be done II there were absolutely
nothing that we could do there would be duty In the
case We are not bound TO do what Is Impossible
One plain duty which is always practicable Is that we
should individually true and consistent ana athu tenn
perance And this means not only that we should
practice abstinence from Intoxicating beverages both
for our own and also lest make Our neghbor oend
but furthermore that should exert our influence IN al
proper against the and sale of the same IN the conf
munity There is somehin, that do In the humble
ways of individual acting and influence Our words OF nu
to fall unheeded anu cur efforts 70
be without effect But 1t is something that We make the at
tempt. doing, at least mee out responsibility
Though the effort fail we shall be clear
the of temperance has greatly suffered Tor
the among its friends of this feeling OF individual re-
sponsbiy, and the consequent lack of Individual effort
strength of good lies in the hold II has up
on convictions aud affections of individuals This only
Whit makes great public demonstrations significant and
effective. hope that converting to day Will
personal zeal in the more intense by SYM
pathy. But if suppose that ANYTHING we can do as
body at this meeting any plan laid out for public or po
tical action to be pushed hereafter will dispense with
personal acknowledgment Of duty and endeavor to
to perform IL we might as well have stayed at home
The first thing them and the most important we deem
it individually take stand everywhere and in
all the relations and transactions of society firm consist
ent temperance We must let II be known that we
hold the of alcoholic beverages to be evil which
dare not countenance, and the traffic in them an immoral
y with which will have compromise. And further
more that employ all proper 10 induce
/
that intend in so doing, so long as the
occasion and the duty exist.
Again it important part duty try to make
neghbors feel do on the subject and thus create
public sentiment which shall sustain and forward
ment to be aryed against this eau e. or at least in
different towards it, The majority of the people though
they not actually oppose, do not inclined to do
anyt thing to forward it.
Now those that awake and ready to act in the
bors, and effect change Of public sentiment.
As to the means by which this may be done, We have
people u comprehends the whole When abuses come on
gradually and become accustomed to them while they
and perncious character If it should be proposed to the
people of quiet village country where no ardent
spirits sod to set two rnseng taverns when the
travelling custom is not enough for one and there no
need of any, doubtless the people would rise mass aud
prevent it, But that change may be brought about grad
ualy which VIII do this very thing with hardly the hrst
word of earnest protest against it, Is supposton
lit simple historical fact And this Is type Of what
has been going on generally through the county Ana
while few have been mourning it in secret the pub
lie whole have looked with indifference As conse
quence has to be pretty well understood that the
anti temperance party holds the balance of power in all
elections where that question has any bearing and mar
be least rather non-eommal that point he
stands small chance of election.
In order then to change of public sentiment the fact
be spread out before the people There need Of the
kind of work that which originated the Temper
reform. The fcts concerning the nature, the
facture and the effects Of the liquors sold
startling many the like facts thirty year
The public mind therefore needs enightening amo
much then. There nearly the necessity of ef
public sentiment against the and
ardent spirits And know Of no better than ho
that been successfully heretofore. We
dress the public by of the press There docu
men Of various kinds that might be obtained and eeuat
cd with the hope Of good results We can speak through
the pulpit. With the Bible laundering its upon then
that arry long at the wine and upon him that gveh hi
neighbor drink TO make him drunken that minister Of re
ligion hardly the demands his office who fail
echo that warning and whOmsOeye
there is occasion But there are Others besides preachers
the gospel who speak and who ought speak hi
subject. The business of Temperance ecturng is not
overone and run into the ground as some suppose Their
mi
lectures, because, they say it is old storyno
can possibly advance anything new on the subject Blu
when it Is considered how urgent is the necessity OF hodin
up the old truths and repeating them in the of thos
who have forgotten, if they knew them. that pie
should gain liberation. 1t in fact in most instance
but for Incidence and indifference. When ten
peranee men, those who would hold it an injury to
called anything else unwilling to attend meeting an
to their influence to bring others there who have th
more need to CO. the temperance reform has something
to do among those Until they be mad
feel and manifest interest in the subject and dispo
= ing The open enemies Of good enterprise hardl
clog the wheels more eectualy than its ukewarm and IN
Ell sincere friends.
We might 20 on to speak of specific
political action the election Of the right men
office and the enforcing of the law against the traffic
importance of these however far they needul an
practicable is too obvious to require many words That
right and proper for temperance men to act up to the
principles in politics. and the power which the la
puts into their hands to restrain the traffic. will not
cai aspirations are affected Thereby Ii is ratsr late
the day for such 70 raise the old Temperance an
Politicshurch and State with the expectation that
will be frightened by 1t. We too well what it mean
ut We through it, The cared animal may put
the lions skin but shall trembe when he tries
;h When those who sustain the traffic will to be-
tn the of it, maintain those who by il made
burden upon public and private charity and those whom
sends to Jail and the States prison. and to lawyers ud
and jurors for their services in the criminal trials TO wh
he it gives rise, then it will be in order for them to ask
keep Temperance out of politics But long temperau
have the greater part of the II
of unreasonable that they should be allowed TO
their views about it, in the in which the views of
people other questions of public and common interest
expressed. If majority the of TINS State
ill WINGED that the of alcoholic beverages is unmit gait
curse and the traffic in them intoerable nuisance IL
he their right say the ballot box and through the lie
isation OF their representatives And II Is their right
pass laws procure their enactment cannot be
that those laws executed AS to the expedency
enforcing the law in particular there is always
sion for the exercise Of sound discretion. But
mistake, that it has proved failure. There may ha
been the part of some the mistake Of supposng til
when the Act passed, the work DONE it would eS
cute itself upon the trafekers and reform the drnke
And doubtless there has been failure Of zeal and hdei
Tx and in carrying into execution The
are convinced of such mistake and made of SUI
failure the better for the Let the friends Of temps
set themselves again to the worket them go forth
the battle with the courage and determination Of form
days, bringing into all their weapons old and new
small arms of individual effort and persuaon emperau
meetings lectures and speakers newspaper articles tra
and pamphlets and also, occasion requires, the big
of legal pains and penalties and it will be evident ii
n the Prohibitory Act is by failure and that
All temperance may yet achieve its brightest triumph
In behalf Of the Committee. J. CHANDLER, Chairman
The State House.