Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07
10 the Friends of Temperance.


EDITOR FREEMAN The recent success OF the
friends Of :" Law and Order" in the election Of
a gentleman to the Office of County Commits
sioner, who believes in striking at the very
lowing out through every department Of socie-
ty, debasing and corrupting to u greater or less
extent, every community not beyond their
reach, is triumph indeed Of right over wrong,
OF morality over vicc--a triumph of those who
believe that virtue is, and should be the lrain
supporting pillar of all our institutions, civil
and political; and hence, that one great object
and aim of Legislation should be to encourage,
build up, and sustain the morals Of its people.
This doctrine the people of Vermont will accept
as having Its foundation too deep in the success,
The we'll beng, and the safety, even, Of every
citizen, to be lain aside, recent opinions and dis
caveries to the contrary Notwithstanding
1t is indeed triumph Which, if rightly I'M
proved, cap hardly be estimated too highly
AT least, it will not be expected during the
yOai5 thuo udbtiVithcd d8tlltb Will DUGOlDU
open, determined, and wiifgl breakers, as
they have been the past year, selling any
quantity called for, no matter to whom, or Tor
what purpose the boy, tho ditch drunkard
the moderate drinker, all meeting there, and
all equally entitled to sip, and no questions
asked while the money lasts.
Now this advantage gained shouldnot be lost
Let the Commissioner chosen be nobly sustained
throughout the County Every friend of the
law should feel that duty calls him to the aiJ
of those appointed to carry out its provisions
They must have his assistance or their efforts
will be comparatively useless. Why shoult
our civil officers pile up their complaint
against us year after year, because we will no
come to the rescue, but as soon as we get then
fairly into the fight, dodge and skulk, and, will
the expression, don't mention my name,
leave them to battle it alone? None but COW
ards, physically, will run and leave thei
friends in times of danger nome but such
morally, will seek to dodge responsibility il
this matter.
Reforms Of every name call for men who,
necessary, can walk in advance of public opin
ion; who, with firm unainchihg step, cal
meet every obstacle, and few moves perhaps
more demand such men than that of Temper
ance. The very worst passions Of MCMILLAN
ed, if not by evil spirits, certainly by thos
badly adulterated--are called into actor
against those active in the defence of it,
- Foul-mouthed SANDER, the most deyilish O
them ALL" often seeks to do its work, and il
some localities, where rum wills to rule, it
power is often felt through every measure tina
can be brought to bear in crushing down, o
driving out those who dare oppose its suprem
sway. But what of that ? it is but the well
beaten track that the advocates of error hay
always pursued. The taunts, the .jests, til
filings of the miserable slanderer are often bu
the filthy inspirations of the legion of mingle
(or mixedD spirits within, and their author
an object Of pity instead of hate.
And now. while the foes of vice and immol
J atty in every form and name, are rejoicin
over theri success. fct them remember that it
: not yet a victory that while we expect til
: coming year, no authorized law-breakers, thel
are, perhaps, many places that need lookin
into a little, for of what avail is it to stop III
} Illegal traffic in any particular locality, whe
3 in town adjoining or perchance fifteen {
: twenty miles off even, there are places know
| all over the country as the ones where the art
, Gle is free for all, of whatever name or colo
be they from far or near? no Partially showr
, not in the least F.
f Woodbury., March IA, 1859.