Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-23

Messrs. Editors Possibly 1t may be worth my
while to comply with the request Of several friends
and inform the WATCHMAN that a certain anony-
nous and, trust sef-appointed temperance cor
respondent OF this town seems bent on trying to
make himself amusingly famous Recently an
item has appeared in your columns the aniaus Of
which is evidently personal that it may be well,
once for all, TO caution those readers who can be
supposed TO take an interest In such matters
against putting any confidence whatever in COM
munications that may proceed from such source.
Surely this must be the very boy who swore that
he saw a fox when he had only spieda rat Upon
sallying forth again he will doubtless give the
public the benefit OF his name.
In the last issue OF the WArcHArAN appears
the following: " The citizens temperance society
held its monthly meeting Monday night. Con-
sderng the weather there was very good at
tendance, Speeches were made by several prom
inent men and women in regard to a town agent,
and only one person-the Rev. P. IL. Pitkin-
spoke in favor Of having an agent The present
incumbent does not give very good satisfaction or
liquor either"
Now as only one speech was made that night,
by woman, upon that or any other subject, the
public may Judge of the force OF the words
speeches were made by several prominent men
| and women in regard to town agent" And
inasmuch as Mr.. Ptkin said not word, pro or
con, to the advisability of having an agency in
this town, but merely expressed his approval Of
the general principle involved in having some le-
gal channel through which to acquire alcohol for
legitimate purposes, expressly stating, however,
that the citizens must be the judges, in special
eases abolishing whatever is considered a null
sance-the public may also perceive the animus
of that portion which refers to himself
As for the remainder OF the above report the
writer seems to have signed his pledge and firmly
resolved to have good liquor. 1t certainly is to
be hoped that 1t may be article superior to that
in which he has INDUCED hitherto. Or, II a te-
totaler let him think twice before he mounts the
platform to become an nebriate with tongue or
pen. Temperance is broad word. How many
forget its true significance. BoozineSs in any de-
partment is undesirable. But II we must have it,
give us an old-fashioned spree, now and then in
preference to its exhibition in that form of mis-
representation deception and intolerance which
too often characterize certain reformers who in
these latter days, sometimes claim to have taken
the cause of temperance exclusively under their
wings
IL is SAID tnat sly drinking haDlts abound In this
town; that the public has not been satisfied with
single agent, though all sorts both of stringent
and loose views have been appointed; that abun-
dant accusations are always sure to come in from
| some source. When public morals, when neigh
| bory confidence and honor are at such low ebb
is it not high time to learn lesson, il in other
school, at least in that of experience? For one |
am free to say that dishonesty and hypocrisy seem
| to me far greater evils than intemperance, GER
| tanly greater than the freedom upon this sub
| ject which our fathers permitted. But If we
really wish to cure evil, we must boldly agitate
| the public mind upon the supreme importance OF
striking directly at its source, of purifying the
| motives of life, and then OF patiently educating
the people, the poor well as the rich in habits
Of calm and impartial judgment and of charity
that "thinketh no evil" We thus have prin-
ciple that is worth something; that will accom-
pany our youth beyond "rousing meeting,
beyond parents a guardians eye, and our
citizens beyond the serve and often impotent
sphere of law. Thus alone may we hope to sue
coed gradually in our efforts to put stop to in
temperance OF appetite, tongue and pen.
| Yours, PAUL HENRY PIrKlN.
Marshfield, Vt, April 10, 1879