Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-12-28
,UrLA WEEKLY HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1865

conventions. This might be done, as
was made obvious by the experiment at
Chelsea last winter, IL our State Agent
had small fund of money, with large
fund of energy, to be used for such
purpose. Thus energlzed these Socle'
ties would be of great service where
as, 1t is to be feared that some of them
are worse than useless by administering
to the communities an annual dose of
apathy and encouragement,
Another use for fund might he
found in making effort to Introduce an
element Of Temperance into the instruc-
ton of all our schools, 1t is one of the
strangest facts of our educational sys-
tem,-indeed one of the strangest TO be
found in the whole scope Of our institu-
tons, that we pay so much attention TO
the intellectual culture of our children,
and do nothing in our schools for their
moral culture, This is almost heather
ish. Temperance, with other virtues,
should have prominent and systematic
place in the instruction given in our
schools. This will not be the case for
many years, unless Temperance men
urge it, and the funds which they raise
open the way. Suppose copy OF Mr.,
Hanks engraving, "the Black Valley
Railroad" could be hung up on the
walls of every school room, and the at
tention Of the pupils be directed, in
judicious manner, once each week, by
the teacher to the truths it sets forth,
1t appears to your committee that the
minds of the young might be fortified
against the evils of drunkenness. A IA
vorable opportunity occurred a few
months ago for the accomplishment of
this, had the committee possessed the
funds, and the authority for taking the
requisite steps.
While our Legislature was in session,
the Chairman was asked to call a meet
ing of the committee, In order that they
might exert their influence officially, for
the passage OF the bill regulating the
pay of the States Attorney This was
deemed unadvisable. And among 9TH
ers for this reason. This Society repre-
sents but small portion Of our State.
If in every county there was Il society
auxiliary to this, and in every town
society embracing the entire temper
anCe population, auxiliary to the coun-
ty societies, so that the State society
was as an army corps, having it's divis-
ions, brigades, regiments and companies
to the lowest and most remote of
which she could communicate her wish
es, receiving the popular vote in return,
then our officers could 90 before the leg
islature and speak with some authority.
They could say we represent hundred
thousand Of the most virtuous and en-
1iCrhfaphH - 90
Vermont, and their wish is that you
shall enact such law; in that case leg
islatures would not dare to neglect our
expressed opinions This S but an H.
lustration of the power which would be
gained in every direction by thorough,
efficient organization. The Temperance
forces Of this State ought to be unit.
They ought to act together with COM
bination just as perfect, and with a
union just as complete as the late Union
armies under Gen. Grant. This subject
is to be discussed during this meeting,
by speaker chosen for that purpose.
Your committee would urge that you
use every legitimate means to secure
this organization. They regret, more
than other friends OF the cause can do,
LldL 81 IlLllS udS ptSu dCCOIu pllShCu IN
this direction during the past year, and
they hope the way will appear more
open to accomplish the work in the fu-
ture.
Still more do we regret that neither
the agencies of this society, nor inhu-
ences from other sources seem sensibly
to diminish the amount of intemperance
through the State. While in few To-
calities check has been given to the
liquor traffic, it is patent to every OBJ
serving man who travels over our State,
that the law is largely imperative.
Temperance men lack the courage and
self-denial to enter heartily into the sup
preston OF sales. Moderate drinking
is becoming both more general and
more respectable. Young men are
sweeping along the destroying current.
Seeds of widespread woe are being
sown. A mighty harvest is. preparing.
A harvest of wretchedness for our chill
dren and for multitudes yet unborn.
Let it be our earnest inquiry, What
can we do to stay this desolating tide?"
God grant that some plan may be here
devised, whose execution in the coming
year, shall roll back the destroying
food