Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-04-01
Appeal of the Vermont State Temper
ancp Society.

The cause of temperance is inseparably
connected with the cause of Christ. The
State Temperance Society is laboring in this
department of Christian enterprise as an aux
liary of the church. The Rum Power stands
defantly in our way, boldly confronting us in
our march towards the worlds salvation. 1t
is one of the chief obstacles in the way of
our success. To overcome this gigantic foe,
it is necessary to enlighten the public mind
in regard to the perils and duties Of all.
| Agitation must be continued and increased
We have nothing to fear from it, The argu-
ments are all on our side The public senti-
ment and feeling should be daily reused on the
subject. The common use and sale of intoxi-
eating drinks, which produce so much intem-
perance, misery and crime, should be made
TO appear shameful in every civilized commu-
nifty.
! To carry on this work we need funds, with
which we may fill the State with temperance
tracts lectures, arguments, and appeals, and
to enable US to keep at least one suitable
person constantly employed in carrying out
the purposes of the Society. We cannot
always find men who will devote their time
and energies to this work with less than half
reasonable compensation. Besides, we can
not procure the publications we need for
gratuitous distribution, nor carry on our great
work in any of its departments, without funds.
The Massachusetts temperance Alliance last
year raised $4,000 for their work We
have, during each of the past three years,
asked the friends of our cause in Vermont
for $4,000, and have received AN average of
about $500 per year.
Our opponents-espeeial those interested
in the rum trafhc-can afford 10 lavish their
ill-gotten gains to cheek the temperance re-
form, or to prevent the enactment or execu-
ton of wholesome laws that they may carry
on thor ruinous work, and increase their pro-
fits without restraint. Our motive for liber-
ality are different, but more worthy. The
executive committee have become satisfied
that, as this is work of benevolenee, rather
than sel6shness, we must look TO our churches
more than We have done for aid. We there
fore respectfully ask all our churches in the
State, which are willing to render material
aid in this service, to place this among the
special objects of their benevolent eontribu-
tions, and request that during the present
month, or at the earliest opportunity, all our
ministers preach specifically on the subject,
or to some extent present TO their congrega-
tions the claims of the cause upon the SYM
pathies, the labors and the liberality of tenn
perence men, and solicit generous contribu-
tions, to be placed at the disposal of the
managers Of the State Temperance Society,
for the purposes above named.
We also appeal to all friends of our cause
who have means, to regard this subject as
emnently worthy of part of their beneyo-
lent offerings The enemies of the temper
anee reform are awake, and would rejoice to
have us just now abandon our enterprise and
surrender to them the field Let il not be
done. II would be serious reproach 10 the
temperance men of Vermont, if we should
fail to have at least one standard bearer in
all the State, TO stand forth in defense of our
cause, and with tracts, arguments, appeals,
and the aid Of volunteers or assistant labor
ers, to check the progress of the rum power
which is so restless to destroy. Our churches
alone can prevent this and to them we ap-
peal for speedy action, as well as to every
true friend of human welfare in the State.
All contributions for this object may be for