Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-06-09
Vice President Wilson on Temperance.


On his return from the West the Vice Pres
ident was in Chicago, and attended con.
vention Of the National Temperance Associa-
ton. He delivered the opening address,
which presents his views tcrsely and forcibly,
as follows;
Forty years Of experience and observation have
taught me that the greatest evil Of our country,
next, at any rate, to the one that has gone down
In fire and blood 10 rise no more is the evil Of in
temperance. Applause. Every days expert
ence, every hour Of reflection teaches me that 1t
is the duty Of patriotism the duty Of humanity,
the duty NJ Christianity to live Christian lives and
70 exert temperance influence among the people
There was time when was younger than am
now when hoped to live long enough to see tho
cause which my heart loves and my judgment ap-
proves, stronger than It is to-day. | may be mis-.
taken, gentlemen, but it seems to Inc that the
present is rather dark and troubled night Tor
that cause, and It is because II seems so to me
that believe II to be the duty Of every conscion-
tious sclf-sacrfcing man Of our country to sleal,
and work Tor the cause in every legitimate and
proper way; and my reliance for the advancement
Of the cause Of Temperance is the same reliance
which have for the spread Of the gospel Of our
divine Lord and Master The heart, the con-
science aud the reason must be appealed to con-
tnually, and Christian men and women must
remember that the heart Of Christianity is tenn
penuce. II It costs a sacrifice, give H. What is
sacrifice to doing good and lifting toward heaven
our fellow-men We have got 10 rely on appeals
and addresses made to the heart Of this nation. to
the conscience OF the people aud the reason Of
the country. We have got TO train up our chill
drcn in the cause from infancy. We must teach
It in the schools by word, aud above all by exam
| pie. It seems to me that Christian ministers. In
this dark hour Of our country, when they sec so
much intempeunce, and what looks like a reac-
ton, should make the voice Of the pulpits OF this
land heard Members of Christian churches
should remember that they have something to do
in this cause II anything stands in the way Of
Christianity, it is drunkenness in our land A
word for temperance at this time is the strongest
blow against the kingdom Of Satan, and for the
cause Of our Lord and Master suppose you
have been disappointed that many Of your view.
have failed but we know we are right Zap
plause. We personally see and feel it, The
evidence is around and about that we cannot be
mistaken in living total abstinence lives and re.
] commenting such course 10 our neishbors
When 1t costs something to stand by the temper
ance cause, then is the hour To stand by H. II
could be heard by the people Of the land by tn,
patriotic young men Of the country, full Of life
yigor and hope woud say that it is among the
frst the highest and the grandest duties which
the country, God, and the love Of humanity i'm.
poses to work for the cause Of total abstinence.
In the West Mr. Wilson visited Eansas
Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebras
ka His account of Colorado is especially
interesting. The narrow gauge railroads
there he speaks Of az successful. Denver he
describes as a very pleasant town. Befor,
it was settled the region was destitute Of
trees but now the people pay great attention
to their culture, and the cottonwood with it,
beautiful foliage, has become quite abun