Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-09
Temperance in Politics,

perarce and the duty of temperance men,
l wish to say a few words through your
excellent paper. We have seen people
who have so carefully guarded their re-
ligion, as to keep it from affecting their
practice; holding it as a theory, not q
life, good to talk and preach about, but
not to live by.
Business is business trade is trade; /;
politics is politics, and religion is religion,
and they should never be mixed.
Such men, however, are not the most
noted for their virtue, honesty and plain
dealing, and do not lead the world. So
there are some who profess to be temper
ance men, yet their temperance is theory
rather than a life, profession rather than
principle. How one can be temperance
man and not show it at home and abroad,
in his business, social relations, politics,
and at the ballot box, is more than / can
see, any moro than one can be religious
and not show it in the practical actions
of life. To say the least. their religion
and temperance is useless.
Is it consistent to say to principles so
vital as these, "Stand thou one side while
now serve myself and my country, you
are good enough to preach and pray
about; but you are transcending your
power when You dictate to me how /
shall trade or vote" How can a man act
temperance in one thing and not in an
other Of what use are bis temperance
principles, if they cannot, or do not, affect
his actions when exercising the divjnest
right of q freemans
! Where can he preach 80 potentially for
temperance as at the polls? Electing
men and measures TO control the destiny
of the nation, and decide the character of
our government, where can be better ap-
ply his temperance? We want temper
ance men that will stand to their princi-
ples in action, and show their love for
them, by trying 10 realize them in prac-
tice. We cease to be temperance men,
when we refuse to act Temperance; as we
cease to be Christians when We no longer
act like item. We might as we'll talk of
laying aside our religion, when it will
better serve private interests, or party
measures, and sill preserve our moral in
| tegrity; as TO throw aside our temper
ance principles, when we enter upon bus
iness, Or stand at the polls, and still he
called consistent temperance man. But
the issue is forced upon us,
The opposition to having temperance
mixed with politics, comes from those
who know full we'll the power of the bal
lot and fear the overthrow Of the rum
power, They do not hesitate to carry in-
temperance into politics and then COM
plain ; like the South, who having taken
the sword, wished to be met with moral
suasion, that is "let alone" They that
take the Swotd Shall perish with the
| sword.
! TeIpperanca men have not before been
active and consistent enough, and now
that We are moving aud showing some
signs of life, they ridicule u.s. and affect
to despise the movement, the strength OF
which only show the extent Of their fears.
No man that is au ayowed and true tenn
perapCU man can command the votes of
the rum power, and III this they evince
their consistency. Ought run man be
sustained By the votes of temperance men
Ii we yote for such men, do we not sub
Ject ourselves t. GidiCule, and lose the
confidence and respect Of the very men
who thus ask us to eacrifce our priuCi-
pies, and see as shorn Of our strength and
moral power, Nor should we allow any
question Of expediency to arise. 1t should
not weigh moment. Stopping to count
the cost we are already fallen. Pausing
to contemplate the consequence, denotes
the weakness of our principles, and faith
III them. God will care for consequences,
it is for US to do right. If in doing right
we overthrow customs, disturb the quiet
of old relations, destroy seots, and break
up parties, yet should we not hesitate to
act Sects and parties are only instru-
ments to give expression to principles,
they are the body of which truth is the
spirit. Of what use are they after the
spirit has left them? If parties or sects
forsake principles, can we preserve our
consistency and self-respect, and still go
with them
So long as the existing parties put up
men for office that temperance and moral
men can support, it is our duty to stand
by them, or perhaps it is best to do SO
but when they insult truth and humanity
by bringing forward men unworthy our
support, which shall we take, party or
principles, obey God or man l hope the
Republican party will yet do the temper
ance work of the State. We have hereto
fore worked with it, but having lost our
interest with temperance and morality, if
it shall turn its back upon humanity, we
must bid it farewell.
No man, unless demagogue, can love
party more than principles. If preach
ing, talking, living and voting temper
ance is being untrue to the existing par
ties, then in the name of God and human
ity it is time we had a new one.
If they can be overthrown by means
such as these, the sooner they go the bet
ter for humanity. But hope the Re-
publican party can yet be saved from the
ruin that threatens it, but the only way
is for US to be men of principles, and put
their practical spirit into one party, not
BY evading these moral questions. He
who has God cannot fail of an election,
though he be in minority.
Temperance men, the time for action
has come. Shall we be found wanting,
and God raise up other men and parties,
TO do the work we now have glorious
opportunity for doing. Ii we do not do
bur duty, but pass by on the other side.