Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-10
emperance.

We have received the Report of the
chairman Of the executive committee of
the State Temperance society which was
read at the recent meeting at Randolph
1t is too long to be published entire in our
paper, and the communication signed A.
in another column has relieved us of the
labor of giving the gist OF it. We are re
Joiced that an awakened interest in the
cause OF temperance is manifest in some
parts of the state, and we hope il will be-
come general. That there is a great deal
of intemperance among US, more probably
than formerly; that there is "a vast amount
Of very bad liquor sold and drunk and
that many are hurried to an untimely grave
by intemperance, are facts generally adj
mitted, and denied by no one. Il is equal
ly clear that the existing liquor law has
been nearly powerless to prevent these
evils. Under these circumstances the in
quiry comes, what shall be done? And
Just here the difficulty arises, for here the
friends of temperance differ in their opin-
ions. Some urge the vigorous execution
of the law. But who is to do it? Who
shall bell the cat? All doubtless would
be we'll If the law were universally and
strictly observed. But there is the IF in
the way. Others again are in favor of
stringent License law, and think that
would be more offectual in diminishing the
evils of intemperance, if not wholly cure
them. But this too has in various places
been tried. and still intemperance was
rife. Now let it be remembered that
law on the Statute book has in itself no
power; no miraculous charm to remove
the evils of society. Law is simply an
instrument, not an agent. The power of
doing good or evil, of promoting temper
ance or the opposite is in the people, in
dividually and collectively. If the peo-
pie are right, laws become almost unnec-
essary; if they are wrong laws however
good are nearly dead letter. Hence to
get rid of any great evil in society the
only effective remedy seems to be refor-
nation, reformation of individuals and
through them of society.
And while we would not be without law
to reach the evil doer, we would depend
chiefly on what is usually termed moral
SuasiOn. We therefore think well of the
suggestion that people i n every town
should get together, talk the matter over,
devise ways and means of interesting old
and young in something better and nobler
than dram drinking. That much may be
done in our schools too, as suggested in
the report referred to, and that more ough.
to be done than is done, we are quite sure.
not so much perhaps directly as Indirect
ly. One great duty of teacher is to de-
velope the moral nature of his pupils to
teach them to discriminate between right
and wrong, good and evil, and to Impress
upon their minds the infinite Importance
of stunning the wrong and of choosing
and pursuing the right. Temptations be-
set US on every hand, and while we live
IN the world we cannot wholly avoid them
therefore the necessity of being fortified
against them. These temptations are
within, our appetites, passions, and con-
tendencies-and without, the
opinions, habits, customs, and evil infu-
ences of the world. Our only security
then against intemperance as we'll as
other evils, is moral purpose, determin
ed will to do right at all hazards: To
this point let all unite their plans, their
labors, and their means. What can be
done to produce moral regeneration of
society,"! to make it pure, strong, noble.
manly! Let us have thorough work, a
radical change, complete regeneration.-I
While therefore we would keep the tenn
perance cause in view, we would advise
united and combined movement of all
good and true men and women in every
town and village in the state to radical,
thorough and universal renewal Of the in
teilectual and moral condition of society.
Let the subject be talked of in the social
circle, discussed at Lyceums, and by pub.
lie lecturers: let The pulpit and the press
speak words of counsel and good cheer, and
let US see if we cannot have better state
of society, purer, and more intellectual.
and more moral community in which all
vices shall die, and all virtues i've
Brattleboro Phenir.