Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-10-15

TsxPERANCE.-The Lecture on Total Abb
stpence by Gen. John L. Swift, last Friday
evening, was more " agreeable entertain
ment' than we had anticipated, although
we had been promised much by those who
had previously heard him.
To the absorbing interest of his subject.
Gen. Swift adds the attractions of fine ora
tory, and often of thrilling eloquence To
he able to speak for over an hour on a theme
:, much talked of as is any phase of the
TEMPERANCE question, at this hour, without
drifting at all into commonplace and famil-
lar modes Of expression, proves him eminent
" well commissioned in this army as he
must have been in that other, which
through heroic struggle, came to the great
victory Of peace. As he hopes, so may he
see resulting from this struggle with Intern
neranee, emancipation for millions from a
bondage worse than neutrality-suspicious.
cbisement from a slavery not sectional, but
hroad-spread over all our land Said the
lecturer, g No cradle rocks tonight, o er
which hangs not this demon, watching for
his prey" How much then for praying
women " and voting men " to do ! For the
latter. the loyal citizen, Gen. Swift pro-
n)unced the execution Of such prohbitory
law as we have, the primary duty. 1t has
been our last resort.) If in its workings it
was found defective, it could be amended af-
terward, but use it, and that faithfully, was
his advice.
The crowded audience gave fixed attention
throughout the address and audibly expressed
their regret at its close that they could listen
no longer.
The lecture was made free to all, but for
such . labor of love-" may we not return
our grateful thanks?
SUNDAY EVENING TEMPERANCE NESTING -
After SO many excellent words as We have
heard on this question of late, it was hardly
to be expected the meeting this week, for
which no speakers had been previously en-
gagged. would preserve its usual interest.
But both interest and tone gained at former
meetings, were fully sustained in this.
Mr.. L. W. Jones presided, conducting ii
to an easy familiarity. Prayer was offered
by Mr.. J. A. Page. Messrs. Joseph Po-
land, II. c. Lull, j. A. Page, Fred E. Smith,
Judge Chase, Or. Brigham and Col. A. c.
Brown each spoke briefly, and each advising G
that the work in hand be still carried
straightforward.
Notice was given that the Rev. L. D. Bar
rows, D. D., of Lawrence, Mass, would give
an address on Temperance, in the same
place, Village Hall, next Tuesday evening.
Assurances were also given that another
very high order of entertainment may be
expected.
AN EXCURSION TO 4" The IT,"-not th
b0ttOniLesS pit,-but the one in Plainhel,
from which Contractor Munson is taking tn
bottom with which to ballast the track Q
the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad
was made on Wednesday of last week.
special train left Montpelier at 9: 80, takin
up some two hundred excursionists, includ
ing many ladies, who desired to see tn
steam shovel make the dirt fly. The'' Pit
is about two miles beyond Plainfeld village
and the run up to it was made on good tim
and proved most enjoyable ride to all o
the train. Some of the boys espying tina
veteran violinist, Dwight Marsh, with hi
" music box - aboard, hastily cleared tn
baggage room, lmprovised music stand i
one corner, and posing Marsh and his fdd
thereon, went in for tripping it on the ligt
fantastic toe, with the train in full motor
Their success, if Dot their dancing exploit
was simply astounding. Such boys as tt
Colonel the - Doctor" the 50 Deacon,
the cloth err, the butcher, tie banker, Il
baker AMI the canGlestick- maker, we
through the intricacies of a cotillon ar
g Money Musk > with a vim and beau'
peculiarly their own. Such agile filings ar
graceful poses are seldom witnessed on Il
floor of first class TerEschorean entertain
ment, and the fun and frolic ran fast al
furious till exh lusted nature whistle
Gown brakes" Arriving at the " Pit
we found the honest Hibernian's rival WI
full steam up and train of dirt cars reat
for loading standing on the side track. AT
given signaI the behemoth showed his no
into the gravel bank, came up full loade
swung about over the CIR, and dumped Il
contents therein. Two sh1velsfull made
load. AMI the train moved on bringing Il
next Car up for filling. A traia of sixt
cars was loaded in trihe over twenty mi
utes With no delay, one minute suflces
fill each car. A track is laid ahead of &
steam shovel while it is exhausting the gray
within its reach, and then the steam is a
Piled in another direction, and the whole {
Enlistment moves up to lew fields and ri
cOnquests. It's workIn IS and its results We
systematic and powerful, and demonstra
what possibilities and victories INVENT
genius can achieve with steam power. AT
carefully looking over all the operations c.
nected with the work at the 50 PITT"
company went aboard the train, and
started Montpelierward. The scenery ale
the line is charming, aud the beautiful
0ring Of the ausumnal forests through VIII
We pissed, lent additional pleasure TO
mild warm atmosphere of that fine Octo
monday.
The Vermont Mutual and the Farmt
Insurance Companies hold their ann
meeting here this afternoon.