The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-10-20

the foundations of established science,
or rather that they have overthrown
them. Their reasoning is on, a par
with that of an ignorant and opini)na-
ted loatcr at Il country crossroads store,
and resembles ii in many features. III
this monthly has tho support which ii
claims, II merely shows how many nm
informed people the country contains
who can be imposed upon by loud
mmthcd assertions Of unhoundcd aud
unreasonable absurdiiies. If the ed.
| itor did moi show the dcnscsi ignorance
of the real character of the work of the
great men who have established the
accepted theories of graviialion and
sound, if the alleged difficulties which
he urges against these theories were
really difficulties to any intellect not
thoroughly infected by Grass stupidity,
it might be worth while to treat with
some respect the opinions of A. Will
ford Hall and his fellow cranks, but
we think any ordinarily sensible per-
son who wades through that farrago of
crude nonsense and infinite sclf.conceit
will admit that they arc not wort h
respectful treatment. 1t is strange
that any student of science will take
the trouble to attempt by sober argu-
ment 10 controvert the cranky conceits
of man who is plainly incapable of
---.,..~ o,n.inn-- nnd accounting mathe-
B"A copy of the "Amendmont
Ii erald," issued by the w. c. T. U. OF
Vermont, published at st. Adams, is
sent us. We regret to see that the la
dies of the Union are dissatisfied with
the terms of the proposed prohibitory
amendment to the constitution, because
it ex cepts cider and wine made from
be fruits ofthis state from the prohi-
bition. With all due respect TO the la
dies, whose noble and efficient work in
the great cause of prohibition is
view ed with thankfulness by all who
have the good of our state at heart, 1t
is difficult to see why the exception is
not entirely proper. A large proper.
ton of the vinegar used in the state is
made from cider, and TO very many
fruit raisers law which would forbid
them to make and sell cider for such n
purpose would be unsupportable, be-
fo@ ths STATE. &i nse, Is lafgey 'T used
for medicinal purposes, and it would
undoubtedly be far better to Dc able to
buy pure, home made wines for scuh
purposes than be obliged to send out
of the state for the uncert ain stufls sold
for wine to day. These are important
privileges, and TO the ordinary mind il
would seem that they should not be
taken away without the best of rea.
sons. 1t is entirely proper that their
sale should be exempt from the vexa-
tious interference 10 which they would
be subjected ifplaced in the same cat
egory as other alcoholic fluids. The
Legislature will have power to subject
their sale TO all needed restraints, even
to prohibition if necessary to prevent
drunkenness, pauperism and crime,
and such legislative action would GER
'ainly remove every objection to the
terms of this amendment.
Tho '"''"N annnnncn that 'hnir nhinc'
is to defeat the constitutional amend
ment if it cannot be amended, rather
than see it as it is become part of the
constitution, "since," as they say, "the
Constitution must remain ten years,
while a statutory law can be amended
from time to time, as the sentiment
advances" The ladies do not seem to
reflect that the statutory law can be
maintained as stringent as it now is,
while the amendment would be very
important gain in putting beyond the
reach of possible change the enactment
against the forbi dden liquors.
The motives of the ladies are of the |
best, but their zeal renders them i'm.
practicable. Of course the amendment |
now be amended. We believe
as it stands it fully meets all the re-
quirements nf tho noea. aud an avowad
attempt to defeat it because it permits
The sale of Vermont made cider and
wine will harm the cause of prohibi-
oition by disgusting many present
who detest the impnta-
ion of "fanaticism." Better lie! the
natter alone. The cause of prohibition
will not be promoted by defeating this
amendment. 1t may be vastly
harmed