Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-11-20
The TEMPERANCE CAUSE.


The Montpelier Argus, and other organs
of the anti.prohibition party, find much
cause for rejoicing in the recent defeat Of
Thomas Talbot, the prohibitionist, on the
republican ticket in Massachusetts,. They
take it as q sure indication that prohibition
sentiments are becoming unpopular, and it
has even been urged that in the light of
this new revelation of the will Of the people
our state should repeal its present prohib-
itory laws and license liquor selling.
While we are willing to admit that the
prohibitory issue had good deal to do
with the defeat of Mr.. Talbot, we DO not
think it had such prominence as these papers
seem inclined to give. For the past few
years, the manufacturers and dealers in liq-
uors in Massachusetts, have been marshaling
their forces, and were ready at the late cleo
tion to concentrate their power against the pro-
hibitionistwho vas also regular republican
candidate, and regular republican candidates
are, as a rule, very much less successful
this year than they have been in previous
ones. The causes of this last fact have been
sufficiently discussed, but the fact remains.
Perhaps Mr.. Talbot, as the republican can
didate, would have been just as sure of de-
feat if he had not been a prohibitionist
That is a mere matter of conjecture. But
it is fact that wherever the prohibitionists
have made a clear fight, in the previous
elections this year, without bearing any Of
the old political burdens of the two leading
parties, they have shown an increased vote.
The temperance cause is not losing ground,
but is moving proudly, grandly forward /;
it meets with opposition from brewers and
distilers, from importers and dealers in liq-
mon, their God, commands them to oppose
it. But millions Of prayers go up daily to
god who is mightier than Mammon for its
success-prayers from rich and poor, from
great aud small. The Christian parent in the
midst of the luxuries and riches Of this life
sends up deep, earnest supplications for the
success of the cause, that that dear son, the
pride and hope Of the parents heart, may
not be led astray and fill the drunkard's
grave The same prayer goes up from the
abode Of wretchedness aud want, "save him,
save him, ere it be too late God bless the
csr.ba
the groans, Of the millions who suffer, how
much none can tell, the wall Of the drunk
ards children, starving to death, or dying
from the abuse heaped upon them by him
who should be their best friend and protect.
or, the moan of the drunkard's bruised, beat
en- and dying wife, the bitter, hopeless re.
morse and despair of the drunkard himself,
in his sober moments, as he looks upon his
reputation, his hopes, his bright prospects,
all blasted by the curse of free rum all
these are continually crying out, like Abels
blood, to Him who alone can save, and shall
VIC believe that the reform for moment
ceases to move onward? No; Even Mas.
sachusetts is to-day in favor Of prohibition
Talbot was defeated. lie was defeated by
the votes Of those who had become so dis
gusted by the abuses and corruptions of the
party whose candidate he was that they
would sooner vote for an equally honest mau
belonging to the other party. To be sure
the friends of free rum gave their votes to
Mr.. Castor, and in so far the temperance
issue influenced the result.
But the friends of prohibition must work
Here in Vermont we have a very good pro,
hibitory law; let us enforce it. In some
parts of the state this is being done. Rut
land, which has long borne bad reputation
as a stronghold of intemperance, is being
renovated and made new. The dealers are
making long and determined resistance
bat the spirit of perseverance evinced by
the officials leads US so hope that the right
will triumph there before there is even q
temporary cessation Of hostilities.
Let other places follow Rutland's exam
pie. Readers, friends of temperance, are
your skirts entirely clear of blame in thi
matter? Do you not knowingly wink a
violations of the law by somebody who is q
"pretty good fellow" and whose ill-will you
dislike to incur2 Look the matter squarely
in the face and see if you are altogether
iaultless. Perhaps he will not sell to a mar
already intoxicated but will he not sell the
first glass to the widows son next door
We know this widows son is fine, noble.
hearted young man. his mothers pride anC
joy and he would not 60 into that low
corner grocery yonder aud drink with tn,
besotted crew who congregate theroi bu
he will drink glass or two in the store 0