The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-05-12
Mlioblsburp 9egister.
TUESDAY, MAY IL, 1874.
Temperance and Politics.


The NrKMoNTER, speaking Of the
\ersennes Temperance meeting and
It's political bearing, after quoting from
the REGISTER, editorially says:
This is no new issue in Vermont, and ii the
uuestion could be confined within its legitimate |
units, there would be an overwhelming temper |
ance victory in every instance. The great diff |
Guilty Away has been that the moment the ques-
ton is taken into the political held, party WIRE
pullers begin their interruptions tactics, ana the
real friends Of temperance waste their strength
In lighting politicians instead oil intenPerahee'
At least such has been the result oil our oDserva-
ton A separate organization was insisted on by
ths honest but hot-headed and inexperienced
temperance leaders, at their recent State election
The result is. the State is wholly in the hands OF
the anti-temperance men, who boast OF their sue
cess, the result of the separate temperance or
ganization. Nearly every point the tempernnc,
people wished to carry, could have been ATTAINED
inside Of the Republican organization
If this reference is designed for the
State of Vermont it must be Inaccurate,
AS in the first place, no separate poiitl-
cal party has been launched upon the
market i'm this state, having the issue
Of temperance as its bnsis; and,second-
w, the state is hardly "wholly In the
hands of anti-temperance men, Iha'
language would better apply to New
Hampshire to which reference is made
n little later. In fact, it must be that
the writer designed so to apply 1t.
otherwise it Is nonsense. Why ref
erence is made to separate political ac-
ton at all, in this connection, it is not
easy TO determine, unless 1t be for the
purpose of preventing a possible unwise
contingency in the future, which would
be regretted by all farsighted temper
ance men and advocates of moral re
form. But the avoidance of a legiti-
mate Issue within the party for lear Of
defeat, Is unwise and cowardly. On
this, as on all other questions OF a NOR
al nature which are the proper subjects
of political action, let the issue come.
Only let it be thoroughly understood
in all its bearings and the right must
prevail. We must have faith in the ul-
innate triumph of right principles
through the ballot, or we must surren-
der faith in republican forms of govern
m INT. IF this issue of the enforcement
or non-cnforcement of the prohibitory
liquor law is understood, the Republi
cans Of Addison County will over
whelmingly sustain the former idea.
And it is only on account of the danger
that the main issue may be concealed
in the side issues raised by the enemies
Of temperance for the purpose OF COM
passing the defeat Of the friends of NOR
al reform, that any danger can be ap
pretended.
There will Of course, be difference o.
opinion among good people as TO the
wisest course TO he pursued. Some may
think open discussion should be avoid
ed, claiming that in dealing with un
derlandcd schemers we should use theil
tactics of concealment and wire pulling
from behind the scenes. But, even i
We could ignore the doubtful morality
Of such course, we must remembe
that the class to whom we look for sup
port, could hardly be successful in tina
kind Of manmvering. They havn't TIT
facility of the "Heathen Chinee," ant
will do better to forego the temptin!
opportunity of Stealing the livery O
hell to serve the Lord in " So If an.
should urge that ii is unwise to make
temperance issue, no other answer i
needed than the statement of the fac
that the issue is already made. II
making the announcement we are max
ing no issue; We are only stating on
already made 1t is the opposition tina
have announced their determination t
defeat Mr.. Lucia for States Attorney a
the next election. Not that they hav
any objection to him as man, but 10
the simple reason that he has como t
represent an obnoxious idea. And
they succeed in defeating him how lon
will it be before a great hue and or
will be raised, through the ARGUS an
other rum organs, claiming it to be
victory of the enemies of the prohibitC
rs law.
1t would certainly be matter OF II
gret if the small number who are
assemble at Ncrgennes to-day for tn
purpose Of talking over these subject
were to take action toward Il nomin;
ton cf any person for the office
states Attorney or any other oilic
But the discussion Of the principles III
DERIVING our laws, and the fundamel
tai theories of right and wrong i'll y
litical acton, and the exercise of legii
mate influence to effect the support
principle in danger can be chargeah
Arifh 10 inlnrnnrintN.