The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-09-02
Mlioolebutp4egistu
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER ., 1874.
The Present stains of the TEN persuce
Refni m.
The ,cmnerance sentiment in Vernon

The friends OF the cause congratulate
themselves upon incir successes IN the
past and the prcscut hopeful condition OF
the reform. Ii has come 10 that state OF
rrogress, even. IN which the trafickers
aud enemies of prohibition themselves,
admit that it is now impossible to carry
on their business with profit or even safe.
,y. This condition Of things has been
reached ouly by tremendous efforts.
Public sentiment had sunk low. Great
difficulties were experienced in the en-.
forccment Of the law. 1t was more than
most men had the courage TO do to enter
complaint against offenders. Some off.
GERS even were too anxious for reelection
to be willing to push matters to a crisis
when formal complaints we're entered.
But public meetings were held. The
subject was agitatcd everywhere-in the
pulpit, on the platform, at political con-
ventions, ut ecclesiastical gatherings, in
social parties upon the street and in the
private circles. At length We begin to
see progress. The courage OF officers in
performing their duties, the readiness of
temperance men to cooperate in cases
that evidently mean business, the appear
ance Of temperance men as candidates for
Office, whether pushed by the temperance
or run parties, and other equally sig
uifcant indications prove the healthful
change in public sentiment upon this SUBJ
ject. But with the fruits of this victory
before us, and while all will admit that
the enemy is far from being conquered,
VIC are resting upon our arms. The local
temperance societies are comparatively
inactive, or If active at all, their efforts
are feeble and Intellectual. Some of our
best men for the active work have been
wounded IN the conflict, or become dis
couraged by the lack of support on the
part Of friends. And where are the
strong men rise up and take their places /?
Whom shall we now find ready to be
sacrificed if need be for this noble cause
Of morality and humanity? Are there
not some young men among us, who, for
the sake Of God and humanity. for the
love of right and religion, will forego
political and other ambitions and rise up
to fill the places of the veterans whose
presence and cooperation was always to
be relied upon, but one by one, for one
cause or another, are now dropping out
Of the ranks Of the fighting host?
These thoughts are suggested as we
lock over the list of active membership
in the Addison County Temperance So
ciety. Last year frequent meetings in
different parts Of the county were found
to be productive Of great good Import.
ant results followed, political as well as
moral. There were some who forgot
their personal convenience, who surmount-
cd all intervening obstacles, surrendered
many a pet project, but were always pres.
ent at the meetings, always active in
promoting their efficiency, aud as ready
at all other times and in all other places,
to work as opportunity presented itself.
Some of those are removed from this field
of labor Others are prevented from
activity for other reasons. More are Of
that age and infrmity which should warn
us Of the need to be prepared to fill their
places soon. And now, instead Of max
ing preparations for future campaigns
against this enemy of social order and
morality, by active recruiting, the Socie-
ty is apparently dormant. And that,
too, after publishing to the world what
will be regarded, and justly SO, as the
merest braggardism and bullying threats,
Of what there was little expectation Of
performing. The time has come when
q longer delay of active recruiting, Of
faithful work in "stirrino nn, the nure
minus VI me temperance men by way OF
remembrance" would be criminal. The
'haying season" is over. The weather is
likely to be propitious. There are no
county fairs or other annual gatherings
in the way. A series of mectiugs for the
agitation Of temperance questions should
be systematically entered upon at once
There is a tendency to view the tenn.
perancc reform in a political aspect, per.
haps more than at any former time.
And so far as this tendency is confined to
the consideration of the qualifications oil
candidates, there can be no possible OBJ.
lection to it AS temperance men VIC
cannot consistently support for positions
of responsibility and trust, those whose
principles or habits are not in accord with
prohibition and abstinence. But at this
stage all good and judicious men mus
deprecate attempts to make the narrow
consideration of temperance alone the
issue between political parties. While
temperance is one Of the most important
Of the desirable qualifications for candi,
dates there are other considerations which
ought not to be ignored. The resolution
adopted by the National Temperance
Convention held at Saratoga, last week,
we apprehend, does not contemplate the
unwise action we referred to, though il
has a strong pointing that way. 1t is a,
follows:
ResOlred. That the time has arrived
fully to introduce the temperance issue il
State and national politics that we re
commend all friends of temperance t.
make it henceiorth the paramount issue
To cooperate with existing party organi
cations when such will endorse the legis
lative policy Of prohibition and nominate
candidates pledged to its support, other
wise 10 organize and maintain a separate
independent party action in every Stat,
and in each Congressional and e%lectora
district in the United States.
If it does mean that we follow AM
clique Of iDjudicious fanatics who hav'
the temperance cause or any other desira
Bile moral principle as the basis of thei
action, without regard to any and al
other obligations equally binding, then
many Of our best temperance men vii
. feel bound to dissent.
The main issue, and all practicable an,
proper methods Of promoting the reform
will receive our most earnest approva
aud cooperation, and ought TO receiv
the hearty support of all good men.