Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-06

!. in the State for this, as well as for other
4 objects, and it can be gathered. There
are scores, yea hundreds of men in Yer.
2 mont, who will contribute from two tC
4 fifty dollars each, to carry forward The
work of suppressing the Rebellion oil
king Alcohol" as cheerfluly as for the
defeat Of raiders from Canada, or the
+ overthrow OF the National Rebellion
/ And why not I? Let US ask, and be denied
!, before we pronounce against their gener.
osity or their love of man or county.
, To this question then Of agency, we
hope particular attention will be paid.
Mr.. President, we are aware that an
t array of facts and figures are sometimes
startling, and when given correctly, they
are very well.
!, Now suppose we could report to you
the existence of many scores Of temper
ance societies? What would the fact be
, worth in point OF effect, unless we could
. report them to be decided, earnest work
ing organizations.
The character Of an organization tells
for better or for worse. There are many
Temperance societies in the State, truly
devoted to the interests of this cause
! There will b e more next year than
through the past, and their labor will not
be in vain
1t is our duty to be hopeful in the midst
of darkness, If we purpose to do according
to the light we have, and 10 anticipate the
achievement of great victories over even
powerful foe, if faith and works agree.
To know that il our State there are q
thousand places where liquors are sold in
violation of law, with liberal harvest of
idleness, profanity, crime and death, is
painful. To know that some betray the
confidence reposed in them as the CON-
missioned agents of the law, making their
office a mere sinecure, with the evils that
must flow therefrom to men, families, and
the State, together with the disgrace re-
Aected upon the friends of temperance, is
more than painful. The Apostles cpl.
ihets are, "earthIy, sensual deviish." -
Moderate language does not describe the
baseness Of such character, or the con-
summate meanness of such a betrayal Of
confidence. But the more need is there
of principle, purpose and work, on the
part oftemperance men.
What motive shall be urged to stir the
public heart and conscience.
Shall we speak of desolated homes,
hopes Destroyed of prison life, the public
execution Of him, who, but for intemper.
ance would have been the light of his
home, and a useful citizen? OF all these,
we have read and heard again and again.
That many thousand in our country on
the land, and on the sea, come TO an un.
timely end, with all the unnameable woes
attendant on such violation. Of the law of |
God pertaining to humanity, will be de-
MED, we believe by none. The evidence
is overwhelming The fact should arouse
US to the utmost, as does the cry Of Are
ringing out on the evening winds
The question with US should be, "Can
his scourge, this angel Of death be staid!"
Can this monster be crippled, fettered,
We believe be can. There are
means, and appliances furnished by the
Creator for the complete subjugation Of
his scourge Of the world.
The means first in order seems TO US to
De moral suasion. Most men, we believe,
'an be reached by argument, illustrated
facts and appeals. This mode
If warfare has worked wonders. It can
again. 1t has been wiokedly neglected.
When the temperance law was given to
he people, the moral suasion weapon
vas nearly laid aside, and our stand still
if not a decline, is traceable TO
his wrong.
Temperance societies in towns and
counties, with frequent addresses and dis
and the circulation ofthe pledge,
ire very seldom now, compared with
ormer years, and with the giving up of
hese measures, has come the seeming
lecline.
An agency such as we have contem> ,
plated in the foregoing paragraphs, would
end to revive the old mode of warfare.
Then in its place, for the obdurate
the twice Dead" who resist moral force,
'omes the civil law, like the surgeons .
,nife, to control and remove that which {
esisted the first order of treatment, and ,
he public conscience will abundantly ap. ,
rove of these severe measures towards
i'm, who 'chooseth darkness rather than :
ght, because his deeds are evil"
Finally, we recommend diligence, in