Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-08-07
For the Bellows Falls Times.
The prohibitory Liquor Law.

1t is urged by certain class of pco-
pie that the law regulating traffic in al
coholic drinks, as applied in several
states, rather increases than diminishes
intempcrance That the position thus as
sumed, however imperfect those laws may
be, or however unfaithfully they are exc
cuted, is untenable, must be patent to
every unbiased and candid observer, yet
it is not my purpose to argue that point
in this article. | wish now to show that
some effective Prohibitory Liquor Law
is not only desirable, but that it is abso-
lutely necessary to the well-being, con-
sidered in its broadest sense, of the peo-
pie of every commonwealth.
While there is rum there will be drunk
ards, and while there are drunkards
there will be criminals; but prohibit the
free sale Of all alcoholic beverages and
the frequency of murders, assaults, and
h1micides will be immeasurably dimin-
ished. For what are criminals punished
but to deter others from violating the
law2 But does the inebriate ever reflect
upon the consequence Of hio prosont acts.
Does the exasperated sot, his reason, his
humanity, his intellect deadened, his de-
structiveness and combativenessinf infamed,
by strong drink, ever pause to consider
the possible result of the blow he deals
his adversary? Does the visions Of scaf-
fold and pendant moose ever rise before
his minds eye? MOI he thinks of moth
ing but revenge. He is blinded to every
thing but this one object by fierce rum
infamed passions.
Then it is useless, it is folly, it is mad
ness to punish men for crime and do
nothing to interdict the free traffic i'll
rum The skillful physician first seeks
to remove the cause of the disease which
he is called to treat. Unless he does this
he cannot effect permanent cure. Nei-
ther can crime be reduced until the cause
of it is destroyed, and that cause is often
rum. Annihilate all alcoholic drinks
and you strike deadly blow at crime.
The law should protect human life
indeed, this is its first great cardinal mis-
!, sion. But how can that mission be fully
, accomplished without prohibiting traffic
in Intoxicating liquors? Alcohol not only
causes men to kill other men, but, by the
, poisonous, destructive, and corrupting
qualities inherent in it, itself kills thosc
who freely use it.
Then withhold not the iron hand o
: the law let it fall upon this blasting
t evil with all its crushing force! let i
strike its very vitals and utterly destro.
+ it! Let every ylaw-loving and lawabidinl
e citizen, let every individual who regard
c the public peace and harmony, and tn
It welfare of his fellow men, labor Jealous
e ly and persistently to hew down tn
s. mighty tree Of intemperance, which cast
/ its bighting, withering shade over all tn
L land, and shuts out the light of educa
V ton and Christian virtue from, whic
IS stunts, weakens, and ultimately destroys
e every one who comes beneath it. Let il
every root and fibre be torn up and cas-
is upon the flames of absolute and eternf
e destruction. Let the beautiful car {
e Reformation, laden with peace, VIRTUE
IS and universal happiness, be pushed RAJ
d idly from village to village, and froi
,t state to state, until our entire nation sha
g blaze with the respondent and quicker
1t ing light of Temperance; until ever,
" where shall be heard, reverberating frol
a ocean to ocean, and from hilltop to hill
ct top, the cry: "Down with the demo
is alcohol" until crime shall be chase
m from the landi DUNNELLE.