Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-13
Rum Selling in St. Adams.

from The ST. Adams Transcript, notwith,
I standing the dark picture it presents o
i, the goodly town. We hope that the Tran
script will not rest with merely ''soundine
the alarm" against these moral raiders
who are more injurious TO the fair fame
, of the town and the best interest Of the
inhabitants than those who recently visit
ed Canada. Twenty-three Souiherner;
intent on plumber, were sufficient q
r awaken every man, woman, and child, in
the place, and to call for the whole pow
er Of the State to expel them. But here
are over one hundred persons, preyin2
upon the community and inAictng untold
suffering upon the poor, and yet, there is
mot complaint, not a murmur, not a
warning note, but all is as calm as a sum
mer's morning" Not Durmur against
over one hundred run holes Is it SO !
But hear the Transcript;
II is time that this matter of the grow
ing intemperance which prevails throush~
out this State, should attract attention
and alarm.
/ Thoughtful and obseryant people have
perceived, with extre me regret, the stride
which intemperance has taken within the
past ten years.
The war has undoubtedly been pre-
judicial to the cause OF sobriety, and rum,
gaming and profanity have increased to a
fearful extent since the blast of war first
blew in our ears. So far as our im-
mediate vicinity is concerned. it is not
pleasant 10 think of or write about. The
truth, however, is that our morals in this
regard are at the lowest ehb. Drunken
ness. gambling and profanity are said to
be upon the increase and TO have gained
a firm footholl in our midst. The pros.
pective increase of taxes, the amount OF
physical suffering which intemperanc-
will bring in ils train during this winter
may well excite our fears and wonder
ment.
There is untold suffering already in cur
vicinity, whose particulars can be gather
ed from any overseer Of the poor The
high prices Of food, raiment and fuel must
fall heavily upon the needy and especially
upon those who are drunken besides be-
ing in poverty. The family Of he drunk
ard is destined to suffer for his criminal 1
indulgence and innocent childhood often I
audergoes fearful and heart-rendng dis
iress in consequence Of gross intemper-
ance.
We have The authority Of the overseer
of the poor Of ST. Adams, for the fact
that there are over one hundred places
in St. Adams village where Intoxicating
liquors are sold in violation Of law. II
this seems overstated or striker any one
with surprise, who has not investigated .
the question, his wonder can be quickly
lessened by learning t Il names and I
streets where from the warm brilliantly
lighted bar. rooms of the taverns down TO
the coolest. darkest and fithiest howell,
this liquid death is sold indiscriminately
to all having money.
Popular Indifference to this deplorable
state OF morals is one Of the considerations
that aggravates the evil. These thing
openly exist in our midst-are seen by
their effects every hour in the day, and
excite little or 40 attention from the au
Ihori.ies, who are sworn consrryator1 Of
The peace and dignity ofthe S'ate. The
srl~ctmen Of the town, the trustees Of thr
village, the town grand Jurors, the police
men, and the States attorney for the 7
county must see the evil which surrounds
US, and yet not a complaint, not n MUIR
muir, not a note Of warning. Al with
them is as calm as a summers morning
4 d so society bDcomes demoralized,
gradually but surely; and Drunkenness
aud its attendant evils runs riot at noon
day and staggers boldly in the watches
Of the night.
We make no apology for abiding to
these matters. Our duty i, to sound the
alarm. The public morals are suffering
Tor want Of proper official attention.
We trust that IA ventilation of The subject
and of our present condition, will tend to
make our people think and ACT in man
ler calculated to stop the fearful evil
which so grievously tormenIs and demon
ilizes society.
MoRTAITTY STATIsTIcs.-Then mum
Der of deaths 10 the town of Woodstock
Turing the year 1864 was sc, of whom
70 were residents of the village. or
soldiers beloL gng TO the town there were