The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-01-27

prevent others from falling victims to the
intoxicating bowl, and to put down in
any and every lawful way, the unlawful
sale Of alcoholic liquors. And that we
may the more effectually accomplish these
objects we form societies, to which none
but the initiated can have access But
this is not strictly secret society. Our
principles and objects are known to all.
Copies Of our constitution and bylaws
can be obtained by any one wishing to
do So and we invite, nay urge people Of
any age, or either sex to unite with US.
And although we are pledged not to re-
veal any of our private work to any one,
not entitled to know the same, any re-
spectacle person is entitled to know all,
simply by uniting with US for the sup
preston Of the rum traffic. If by reveal
ing our plans, we should hurt our cause,
and hinder our work, have we not a right
to keep them to ourselves7 Nay, would
it not be wrong for us to reveal them!
In the commencement of the war in
which our country is now engaged, our
cause was daily injured by the plans of
our leaders being openly promulgated;
giving our enemy an opportunity of
thwarting them in every case. And the
result was we were frequently defeated by
foe whose resources were far inferior to
ours. And now that our Government
has learnt wisdom from the past, keeping
its plans secret from all who have no part
III the performance of them; victory
crowns our arms in almost every case.
Does any one find fault with the Govern
ment for so doing? Now the secrecy of
this society is no more than that We do
but keep our plans to ourselves, that we
may the more etfectually carry them out
And when (as has been the case the past
year) you read accounts of this one, and
that one being fined for selling intoxicat-
ING liquors, you may be sure our plans
are working well.
said above that one object is to pre-
vent others from falling. We do this not
only by shutting up the rum shops, but by
calling in the young of both sexes to our
meetings, where we fill their minds with
temperance principles, that they may be
strong in after life, to resist the tempter'>
power We aim to interest and instruct
them, that they may be better fitted n
after years, to perform lite's duties. The
exercises of most lodges consist i'll singing
the reading of choice original or selected
articles, declarations and speeches, and a
paper supported by members of the lodge
> All our business being carried on accord
ING to the strict principles of parliament
: ary law, our members have an excellent
opportunity of learning those rules, thu:
fitting them to take part in any public
meeting, and to sustain themselves will
credit. Even were we to leave out OF
consideration the cause of temperance
our society as an educator is worthy th'
: consideration and support Of all. As
said, we contine our membership to III
age. Parents can come with their chill
e dren, see what is done, and assist in tn
!, work. find that | cannot close this ar
ticle better than to quote a portion of
speech of Senator Pomeroy on the run
: power
1t is an enemy in disguise, subtle, Sc
S cREr, deadening and demoralizlng. |
+ comes often in the soft whispers of friend
v ship, in the glowing passion of love, un
y der the guise of a physicians recommen
:, dations, and, in some places it is encoul
u aged by the ministry and the church. 1
is save us from being a nation of drunkard:
It we must organize every instrumentality
IS man every ship, and have well clad an
inv ulnerable garrisons in every fort; an
" put the truest men on the watch towers.
I" The foundation of our society is til
, Holy Bible; Faith, Hope and Charity i
corner stones; and every meeting is opene
and closed with prayer. We cordial
- invite all the friends Of temperance to a
sist us in our truly great and glorior
work c.