St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-10-31
The Temperance Movement.

pleased with the tone of the CdledOnidH,
especially with the firm and decided
stand which it has taken i'll regard 10
intemperance, with its various causes
and evils. Surely if there is anything
demanding our attention in the way of
laboring for reform it is the evil of in
temperance. OF all evils which are
pressing upon the people, loading them
with burdens, increasing taxation, and
threatening the peace, safety and hap
piness of communities. the evil of in
temperance ranks among the first, if it is
not the first. and therefore it calls for
the earnest persistent labor, i'll behalf of
Temperance, of every friend of peace
and order.
If us people we do not stir ourselves
more etfectually in behalf of temper
ance, | think we shall have serious
cause to regret it. 1t is not because the
evils are not wide spread that there is
so much inaction among the friends of
temperance. but in many instances he
cause those evils are so common that
they have come to be looked upon as
necessary Accomplishments of the growth
of communities. Were it not taking too
much space i'll the CdledOniDn, | would
like to enlarge upon the point and show
the tallacy of some of the arguments
h.,t to. L.,
and ut the same time encourage the in
action and Indifference of those who at
heart are i'll favor of ii better state of
things, but accept the situation" as
Interchangeable, and thus throw power
upon the side of evil. But | simply
note the fact that there are many who
by their indifference to the evil are
throwing power upon that side. where
they would not stand Il moment if they
Saw what they were doing or had risen
firmly to their feet to give their earnest
attention to the matter
Others are Indifferent because the
tone of public sentiment is not to the
marx. This is the vital point. when
public sentiment is ready To take firm
and decided stand in favor of temper
ance, and ready to adopt every honor
able measure To the removing of intern
perancc, its final removal with all its
attendant evil consequences will soon
come. With public sentiment ready
for the work the rest is only IL matter of
time. But how shall we ever have pub
lie sentiment ready unless the press
takes hold of the work and shows that
il will neither he bought nor hlihcd to
dcNiatc from principle on the subject
If it will take this stand. then with
what Labor is being accomplished hN
the efforts of those whose hearts are
gradual growth of the sentiment in our
communities that the evil i gigantic.
and must hc put AWAY. Then will the
people get their eyes open and begin to
see that something i to he done: that
their interests are at stake: that the
peace and safety of communities, from
fine and rintouS disturbances. depend
iii a large measure upon their efforts to
>uhduc lntcmpcrancc. The suffering
and misery that come from this alone.
words cannot express.
Though We have II" paper published
in our village Ia speak for us. the citi-
lcn> of the place are cndcavoring +"
speak for themselves in works. \ pc /
fiti"n has been sent i'll 10y some of the I.
most respectable and influential people
If the village. land think all who love
order in Il community are with them III .
ut least asking for the ah"l- .
>hmcmt of the town liquor agency To-
'atrd here. lis existence i unncCc>~a-
y for any good or practical purpose.
Il simply serves as Il town bar over
which the town through its agent pass
- distilled spirits t" the drinking pnr-
ION of community. 1t is not needed.
'cranSr "" have Il Druggist who i au-
hnrlIcd tSo | understand To sell what
'Ncr liquors are needed for medicinal.
chemical. or manufacturing purposes:
mi this is enough for ANY community.
| huS town agent separate from this is
Incallcd for. 1t is encouraging evil in
| way which think our Selcctmen are
r"t fully aware of. and We trust soon t"
&c the agency abolished. 1t has been
aid as Il plea for its continuance. 1.-THE
own makes money ont of it. II mon
y i made in this way it is the price
II blood and suffering. 1t * made" ut
he expense and suffering of those fam
lies VIII" feel i'll their home the paag>
If deep SORROW because the stuff which
he town deals ont has been dealt to
heir home. rohbing reason and intel
cct of their throne and giving in its
tcad Il demon of passion aud crime.
Concord is not alone in this pander
ne way of helping along the stream of
"rrow and suffering. Others are Strug-
ding along i'll the same way, partly i'll
he dark. waiting for light to break in
lpon them and reveal the wrong that is
icing done: that eyes may he enabled
q see, hearts he stirred, and hands set
o work i'll behalf of temperance.
To the press largely belongs the work
If bringing this light, and to the press
We look for aid. while we labor on pa
iemtly yet tearlesSly. But to all, the
Question comes home direct. Is there
NY worthy interest of life that does
lot suffer by this evil and demand Your
Il. i. i