Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-05-14
Sunday Evening Temperance Meeting


Sunday evening being rainy, We had a small.
or audience than usual, but as might be ex-
pected, most Of the more earnest and persistent
workers were there, and the meeting 80 lively
and interesting that the absentces have great
reason for regrets, which we hope will be ex.
pressed by constant attendance hereafter. Is
pecially gu rainy evenings.
The Principal OF our graded school, Mr..
Westgate, presided, and after opening the
meeting BY singing and prayer, addressed us
briefly. He said we had met here week after
week for almost year to consider the cause.
consequence and cure Of intemperance. The
causes OF intempenncc, and It's terrible con-
sequences, are Fixed facts, but, what remedy
shall we apply, lisa standing question. Shall
we try to remove the cause by fall and Just
enforcement Of law, which would efiectually
annihilate the rumscller as rumseller? or
shall we 60 on bringing all our efforts to bear
upon the consequences? Moral suasion has been
recommended by all, and been used TO the bcs,
Of our ability. These meetings have been held
regularly and an interest aroused ia the sub.
ject, and higher moral tone is the result
Pledges have been signed, and moral suasion
proved a power in dealing with the conse.
qucnces. How has it been when applied direct.
y to the cause Appeals and pledges both
have been tried on the rumsellerS. (Anappeal
signed by over four hundred ladies' was ad.
dressed 10 our rumsellers.) What was the re-
suit They did not succeed in closing one
shop. decided negative from Aft. which con.
WINGED all temperance men and women. who
were not aware of il before. that strongrr meas.
ures were called for; that the law-breaker cali.
ed for law. and we have decided 10 try To sun
ply the demand ION may the ,upply eoual
the demand !-Reportor. We have commenced
administering the law. and let nothing prevent
its full and impartial administration Va
have to deal with an enemy as treacberous as
the Modocs, and who hide in ambush far their
prey, and in clelts and holes. ready 10 aim their
poisonous arrows at the unwary.
The Rev. Mr.. Glazier said il vonld seam
that all had been said on the subject that eould
be said, but we are admonisbed IN give prcc.nt
upon precept, line upon line her. A little and
there little. Fact. upon fact. and all .,,.
ti.tics have long ago obliged every one 10 ae
knowledge that no vice brings such A train of
evil consequences as intemperance. They have
been summed up and outweigh the growth of
all other vices. After so many repeated lessons
on the enormity Of the sin. 50 many repetitions
of the reasons, mental physical, and financial
FOR doing away with the same, we certainly
ought not to be in doubt as to the stains Of
this vice, and our own responsibility in this
matter, and should be supplied with Grand
motive power that would impel us 10 this work
with an enthusiasm that would be ana..prapcs
Of success.
Af,er exhaustinc the subject in hand we bav,
fallen into the habit of passinv encopiums ma,
the ladies. Mr.. Clazier believed tho bighes,
enconiums that gentlemen conld civ. and tbo.,
most gratifying to the ladies' to receive would
be for every man who ba. raised his voice in
these meetings to give himself 10 this work
and carry it forward to the desired r.snlts
The ladies have used ALI the means in their
power. and now is the time for man 10 use ali
in his power, which includes the enforcement
Of law. To do this we need 10 marshal all onr
forces. There has been skirmisbing along Tho
lines, skirmishing that presages hattie Now
on the eve Of battle there il alv,vs anne a.
sorting. towards who tslk well when no dan.
ger is near, fly at the first rumor Of ns an.
proach. IL is bettsr so. far those who rama,
are to be relied upon-men who can stand
charge, without stampede. and can rive one
for the Right with such spirit as no onnosition
can withstand Who ever heard of a hattie
and no one hit? We enter this one. with n
determination to level our guns Mt the cause
and if the rumsellers are hit. will the, learn
not to set themselve. as a target and invite
Law to do its perfect work on them?
Mr.. Charles II. Heaton. of Boston. said
he was grat6ed to find on his return to Mont.
pelier, that these meetings were still continped
lie believed them ins,rume,,ai or ,-o.. -,
Spoke of the great temperance work going On
in p,s,or and or .Lo ,,o,o..;., r. - -