The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-09-02

but boiling not only defeats their ends,
but Injuries other political interests.
We must move honestly and consistently.
The great mass of temperance men are
unwilling to be governed by the peculiar
views Of honesty aud purity few radi.
Gals assume. Let us look over their
movements for the past two years. Aftor
Mr.. Chapman was elected, it was TO be
expected that all who wero jealous 10
enforcing the law would continue to as.
sist the states attorney in bringing the
offenders to justice, but instead they
settled back and Cried "Mr. Chapman
was elected by the rum party and of
course, must be one of them, which they
knew to be false. In fact. they we're
bound to mako their predictions prove
true, without oven giving him chance,
or treating him with common cvility.
Thoy tried to employ other lawyers to
prosecute their complaints not succeed.
ing thcy fell bnck and cried, rum Is
free" md said everything to niurc this
worthy young lawyer At the county
convention, this same lew SHE'D around
like wolves il the dark aud endeavored
to deieat Mr. Cbapmaps nomination, on
tho plen thar petitions for prosecutions
had been sent to him, which, they claim,
were unuoticcd But whom the question
was asked them, Did thoy present those
petitions No. Then who did? Oh.
somebody disc without giving any names
or witnesses. whereby We could Judge of
the merits Of the complaint. A good
lawyer will depend upon his witnesses,
md especially n statos attorney should be
cautious about involving the state in
needless expense. This was q great
fault with Mr. Chapman's predecessor.
Again, IL was said that more rum was
sold in Ncrgenncs under Mr.. Chapman's
administration. IF this had been no,
who Is to blame1 IF they could not
work with Mr. Chapman. why did they
not call upon the grand jurors, who are
the proper persons to sign these com.
plants and bring them before the courts.
But the fact is, they did not want to stop
the traffic. They would have been will.
ing to let river Of rum, as large as
Otter Greek run through each street, if
they could only sustain their motto, Rule
or Ruin. But observation shows less
drunkenness in oil parts of the county,
Tor the past two years. Two years ago,
this same few complained that they could
not be heard in mass convention, as
they we're packed, and succeeded in get.
ting resolution carried to change to
delegate convention. Now they come in
this year, and complain they cannot be
heard in delegate convention because
their preliminary meetings at home were
packed; so they must have a mass con.
vention OF their own, called at Spring
Grove. Now, how was that for packing ?
The mos. packed concern this county
ever had to endure. Only these few
could say a word. The president, when
appointed, expressed some surprise at
being chosen, but Immediately took from
his pocket paper containing list Of
names for committee. These. taken
equally BY surprise, retired VITA instruc.
tions to report resolutions, etc., and re.
turned after lapse of just fifteen min.
utes by the clock. During their absence
the question was asked what were the
objections to Mr.. Chapman ? The presi.
dent replied the committee would present
all grievances in their report. Now, in
fifteen minutes they returned with
closely written document Of several pag
es, which must have taken some one at
least two days to compose. Lord God
of Sabaoth, reveal some way to satisfy
these few grumbers Now, Messrs. Ed.
itors, Mr.. Chapman well knew his cleo.
ton was due to the assistance of strong
temperance element; aud when properly
assisted, shows himself to be one of the
best states attorneys we have had for
many years. And if elected again let us
treat him civilly, instead of blocking the
wheels with the cry Of free rum, and we
shall have no cause foi complaint.
l am strong temperance man and
shall vote for the right man in the right
place. And even more, l sign myself
TOTAL Abstinence.
Middlebury, VI, Aug %, 1876.