The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-07-23
The Temperance Cause.

MEETING or THE w. c. t. L. AT MILTON.
Tho first annual meeting of the w.
C. r. u. of Chittenden county was
opened at 10 o'clock, Friday morning,
June IL, in the Congregational church
at Milton, Mrs. Il. A. Kent of Burling-
ton, actiug.vice-president of the county,
in the chair.
Prayer was offered by Mrs. Mary f.
Perkins of Burlington. Mrs. Emily
Herrick of Milton, gave an impressive
and cordial address of welcome to the
convention, to which an appropriate
response was made by Miss Annie G..
Park, president of the w. G. T. L. of
Vermont.
The report of the convention held
in Burlington last year was then read
by the secretary.
Reports of local unions being called
for, Mrs. l.. w. Landon for Milton re-
ported membership of fifty. Little
active work was done, but public senti-
ment had been greatly influenced by
the w. G.. II. e.; had sustained semi
monthly meetings through the year.
Mrs. Persons for Essex junction, re.
ported membership of fifty; had be.
come auxiliary to the state union.
Miss Gertrude IIoburt of Essex juno
ton, then read very interesting and
ingenious essay, comparing the temper.
ance work to harp of thousand
strings. In Juvenile literature we have
the story of the old woman who at.
tempted to sweep the cobwcbs from
the sky. The temperance sky is thick
| ly hung with cobwebs which the wo-
men are endeavoring by various meth
dds to clear away. There are many
obstacles in the way of any reform,
The law might be enforced if used with
determination. Part of the nation was
in bondage by slavery no more than
a part is in bondage TO strong drink
An evil exists which will not cure 1t.
self. We wonder if there is not some
work to do which will be lasting, and
we think of the children. Let an influ.
ence come from temperance homes, and
intemperance shall be swept from the
land.
The president call for reports of Tn.
ions from other counties. Mrs. L. A
Sturtevant, state organizer, reported
for Middlebury, Addison county, in
creased activity in the work. She
stated that she could not present bet.
ter plan of the work than by giving 9
list of committees: Juvenile, Sabbath
school, literature, prosecution, town
agency, missionary, relation of intern
perance to crime, and a committee OIL
Jail work, extensive circulation of III.
| erature. AS an officer of the state un-
ion, it gave her pleasure to report a
new union formed in Grand Isle coun
ty, and requested the prayers of the
convention for the eight earnest, faith.
full women of that union; there is 0
work for everyone TO do, as Christian
women; let us Danish cider, as well as
wines from our side boards. The chill
dren must be educated to take cider in
the pledge.
Rev. Mr.. Vibbert of Boston, was
then introduced and made strong plea
for woman suffrage, logically proved
Have you thought OF it in this light
woman? The Legislature every yea,
sanctions the liquor traffic, and the tenn
perance men of the nation cannot pro
tect our homes; so we ask You to come
and help us by voting.
Mrs. K. A. Sturtevant of Middlebury
state organizer, was then introduced
and delivered an address of rare
strength, giving startling statistics
calculated to rouse thoughtful minds tc
the terrible condition OF our homes
the church, the press and the nation, il
regard to the baleful effects of tn,
liquor traffic.
This was followed by an original 20
EN-, entitled "Autobiography of Intem
perance," delivered by Rev. j. II
Woodward of Milton; production o
sterling worth, not only pleasing, bu
truthful and convincing.
The following resolution was present
ed by Miss Park, and adopted by III,
convention:
Resoired, That the thanks ofthe convention mr..
rendered 10 The musicians whose sweet song
have added to tho harmony of our meetings; AM
to the citizens OF Milton for their cordial wccom
and Christian hospitality.
The exercises throughout the da,
and evening were inlcrspersed witt
the singing ofsiirring temperance song
by the choir. The convention was al
together a success and those interested
feel that they have gained strength an6
courage for the great work befor
them. MRs. ii. &. HAMMOND,
Secretary.