The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-08
why Judge Poland was Defeated.

Judge Poland like many another man |
at this time, is probably looking over
his past acts, and the political situation,
TO see if he cannot discover the cause of
his defeat. With the possibility that |
we can assist the Judge little, we are
induced to offer him the following sug-
gestions.
If he thinks it is because of his con-
nection in the past with with any sala
ry grabs, gag laws, or other legislation
Of doubtful import, he must dismiss
any such reasons as these when he sees
how generally the people have been
willing to overlook any such mistakes,
and how unmindful they have been TO
reward those who have placed their
records against such things.
1t cannot be because of any disgust
the people have for the thorough man.
ner ne has worked up his case, through
the usual appliances OF corrupt, wire
working, demoralizing party machin-
cry, for he must see that those who
have gone into that have generally won
this time, while those who have staid
al home, trusting the people TO reward
honesty, ability, sobriety and pure
past record lave generally been taught
that is poor way, and those are'poor
recommendation for Office. But if the
Judge will look over the report he pre-
al Of ha it11i al
committee in Congress Oh the petition
of the temperance men for n commits
sion for gathering statistics of the evils
and crimes resulting from the free use
of Intoxicating liquor. ne will find the
following:
That the evils of intemperance are
enormous, and that the increasing use
of intoxicating drinks is one of the dan.
gers which seriously threaten our ma
tional reputation, are facts which are
very generally conceded. Every good
citizen will give his countenance and
aid to any measure which will limit
and restrain these evils.
For u considerable number of years
the general opinion of those most in
terested to break up and suppress the
that the only sure and eflectual mode
was by prohibiting their manufacture
and sale, aud thus cut Off the means o.
supply of those disposed to drink. In
many ofthe States such laws have beer
passed. and more or less rigidly en-
forced. That they have ever been Of
ever will be enforced so strictly that M
intoxicating liquors will be used, prob
ably no one believes or expects; bu
that their effect has been greatly to les
sen the consumption In all the State
having such laws, the committee be
iieve will be conceded by every candi,
man living in such States. 1t is oftel
asserted that the use of liquors has In
creased in such States, but the allega
ton is uniformly found to come from
persons who are hostile 10 a prohibito
ry law.
Now if Judge Poland vii take a calm
look at the present situation, he vii
probably come to the conclusion tha
however liberal his own private view
and practices are, the people of Nel
mont in their present temper will hare
ly tolerate such praise of set OF me
who are not only practicing tempe
ance, but openly advocating the beat
ties of sobriety to their neighbors. an
the youth that are growing up aronn
them, including their own sons, RI
Judge will probably feel that what i
mistook for the settled principle an
conviction of the people Of Vermont
favor of temperance at the time Of pr
pairing that report, is very poor re
commentator for Office at the presel
advanced state of public feeling in {
vor OF untrammeled freedom in ale
holic traffic.