Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-29
Watohman Sc journal,
WEDNESDAY, july 30. 1874.
For the Waterman.
Popular Sentiment and Temperance.

carry conviction, nor Will uiscuSloh ohu con-
yiction secure popular confidence.
We have an example OF this IN the recent
attempt to change our nsury law Popular
sentiment is convinced Of the reasonableness OF
the change but six per cent. is landmark OF
early legislation no argument can break the
attaohment--no discussion dispei The misty
Illusion.
\ progressive idea is 10 ndwnce oi popular
sentiment which must be brought abreast ol
the idea. 10 needs TO be educated mmiIiar
knowledge and appreciation OF IT'S practical
utility must displace the shrouding disifust oi
novelty and doubt The popular mind 10 iis
tendencies, affections ana preludices' must uo
wrought into sympathy with the developing
idea, that il may receive that iiea naturally,
and take 10 up-not as the whrl"in lad makes a
Toy OF the mote sports with 1t md drops It.
but take it up as The American mind' after the
moulding struggles OF centuries took up that
v.taiting idea OF the revolutionary epoch, that
call men were created free and equal. The
spirit Of the new idea must gradually grow aud
develop in the popular mind 10 must become
in-cparablo from character, ii it is to become
permanent
We have practical application Of this prin-
aiple in a question Of present interest. Dis
'9umgemcnt is felt among The people that alter
more than twenty years Trial Of the pro-
/ libitory law, prohibition is not absolute and
| temperance not universal. The truth isi popu'
Jar sentiment is not set sufficiently ripencd Tor
SO thorough reform IL has as set progressed
hardly beyond the incipicnt stages Of prepaa.
| ti0n. There indeed prevails an abstract COM
yiction that temperance Is icH, but the popular
mind is not yet convinced that abstinence j.
pnctieable much less las il received The
moral tome requisite for The practice Of abs
stinence, or even temperance Yet this is not
a ground ior discourngement Reformation.
are late haTcsts from early savings Human
character is not made perfect by a stroke oil
Legislative action. The reformation, begun bS
Lnther, continued over a century and quarter
of violent persecutious-the most prominent
reform in all history-and yes it sought only O.
change in popp'ar opw9H while tbe reform
now 10 progress involves profound revolution
10 moral sentiment characterization Of mora
qualities is also q matter Of hereditary growth
and, involving au uaband1nmeutol indulgencies
Il is with more difficulty accomplished
Among the preparatory forces is the powc
1i consistent example, as expressed in Tie up
right citizen, and in the numerous ACTIVE
organizations but oyershadowing all these
cooperating With and encouraging each, So
more effective than all, is the ayowed purp5,
and stable example Of the State, as expressed ii
.he much yilihed prohibitory law. All, Nol
doubt what | say. You point me to the proya
ence Of alcoholic traffic and drink. know tina
your expectations are not fulfilled but tn
answer is, you misunderstood the character O
the law, and miscalculated the time Of reform
You expected au impossibility The law re
iormatory power Is but partially vested y
the physical force applied Those who expoc
thata law enforced will be q panacea for drunk
J onncss, and banish the sole and use Of splritu
& Gus liquors, will die with their ideal uurea
zcd Temperance reform is not in a reform
police iorce-not 10 seizure and spolatiou &
alcohol. Destroy it all, and there is set n
reiorm--only waste, an increase Of consumT
ton, and a corresponding increase OF manu-