The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-10-22
"Temperance LegislniiOn.r

1t were to De expected, that men who
have not thoroughly studied the history
OF things, should, under the strain OF
difficulties, be found ready for, or even
sounding retreat Such seems to be
the case in this state on the subject OF
temperance. Especially is this to be ex.
pected, when, as with US, no one set Of
measures have been thoroughly tested =.
This is SO, with reference to the law pro.
hibiting the sale Of iptoxicants 1t has
never been enforced Hence, there are
those who are ready to dcride it, when,
perhaps, the fact of non.enlorcement, is
one for which they are, to great extent,
culpably responsible.
For, certainly, those who have the con-
troll and WELD the mighty influence of the
press are to be held to a large measure
OF responsibility for the failure of such
public opinion as shall set so efficient
machinery as that of the law of
prohibition. \ fearful crime and a
ollghtng curse, like that of intemperance
and like that Of the sale of Intoxicating
drinks, spreading its fatal solicitations be.
fore the community, in the very walks
and paths of the young and unsuspectinr.
Is one that no conductor of any newspaper
or periodical, should not most persistent.
ly pursue, expose, and decry. If they
10 not, if they allow an evil so native to
human depravity, so sure to flourish in
Its ubiquitous evil soil, and to gather
strength and force in its circumambient.
and peStilent atmosphere, how can they
Out expect that every instrulneutality,
every means, no matter how efIicieut il
themselves, will be completely paralized
and rendered useless.
How unfair and illogical, We had a.
most SAID pusllanimous and mean, after
having themselves wholly failed in one
duty, to turn round and deride the failure
OF others In another, when their own fail.
ure contributed largely, if not wholly, to
the Ill success they censure How in
the name OF common sense, or of any
sense, can the Messenger expect there
can be any efficient public sentiment 10
Vermont, for the prosecution of the tenn
perance movement for the enforcement
OF the prohibtory law, while so many
public, influential advocates, like them.
selves are so fatally dcrelicr with refer
ence to Its agitation, The case is as bad
and nelarlous, as if parent should fail
to supply child with needful food, and
then, when and because il had become
greatly reduced in flesh and strength, SO
as to be incapable of labor or service,
should wish it dead
how perfectly absurd for any and all
such people, to advocate any legislation.
OF any sort, on the subject Of temperance.
when, claiming as they do, the necessity
OF public sentiment to enforce any law.
claiming 1t to be 1.-THE main hope of the
temperance cause" they DO next TO
nothing to create it We do not doubt
but our worthy friend, the editor of the
81. Adams Messenger, is, in principle.
temperance man; but we have yet to
learn either from his pen or from his
efforts as private citizen, or by his pub.
lie advocacy in any other way, that he,
or any that now are moving for license
law have done what they might and
ought, and what SO vital cause demands
OF them to do for the enforcement and
success OF the present law of prohibition.
Ii there were no successful history, no
supporting testimony, for the law of pro.
hloitlon and if there we're abundance OF
Of 1t Tor license, the case we're different.
But 1t is quite otherwise. If Vermont.
to our shame, does not furnish it, other
states do; Maine, especially, does. Gov.
ernor Perham declares, that the traffic
IN that state has been reduced nine tenths
by the power of prohibition, while, in the
country towns it has been practically
annlhilated. And why should the state
OF Maine furnish such complete, ample
and triumphant testimony, and the state
OF Vermont none at all ? Why shouldn't
the law OF prohibition be vind;cated here,
us well as there? Did the law in Maine
enforce itself without any effort from the
men whose position SO greatly influences
public sentiment?
The real thing wa need to aim at IN
our legislation is, right principle. But
what is or should be the model of all law ?
Will any one deny that the Divine law
should be the pattern law Of all good gov.
srnmsntf Is not prevention the salient