The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-01
THE PR0iIlBITORY AMENDMENT.

VIEWS OF MRS. J. ELLEN lost Err.
The following letter from Mrs. j.
Ellen Foster TO the president of the
Vermont w. G. Il. IT,, dated at Toledo,
ONO, Nov. Sth, has been handed us for
publication: 80
Your letter concerning petitions for
constitutional prohibition aud objections
made to The same is before me. Also.
nave read several articles from the
press OF your state setting forth the
same. 1t is no new thing for the adj
Vocates OF reform to be misunderstood
by friends and ccnsured by enemies.
IL is none the less painful, however, TO
be the SUBJECT of criticism. | am sure
the cause OF the w. G.. T. L. OF Yer
mont VIII i'll time be vindcatcd by the
real friends OF the cause, who, being
competent and thoughtful, will give the
situation little study.
Under the present law of your slate
the sale of all intoxicating liquors is
prohibited. This law was the formu-
lation of the sentiment OF the people of
Vermont through their legislature
many years ago, ard not only has this
prohibition been sustained, but from
Time to time strengthened by additional
provisions, clearly showing the growth
OF public sentiment in its favor. 1t is
as sale, as free from danger of repeal as
any merely statutory enactment.
All statutory enactments being ere
ated by legislatures are subject to
change or repeal. The power which
makes can change that which is made
this is also true Of constitutions. I.epis-
latures made through parties arc som =
tlmes subject to partisan influences
which confuse and control issues need
| ing unbiased and careful LEGISLATION.
Thus it is deemed wise from time TO
time TO give the people opportunity TO
| directly instruct their representatives
through constitutional law. The iamil-
lar doctrine that the people arc sovcr-
eign is thus illustrated.
The women of tho w. G. Il. L. desire
10 put underneath and round about the
legislative intent which framed the stat
ute and has since guarded il, the per
manent coercive force of the roe pOpuH
expressed in constitutional laws. In
the words Of their Petition, they pray
for the submission of an amendment
which shall "forever prohibit the
manufacture and sale Of all alcoholic
beverages" That all beverages cuH-
tdtning alcohol, whether made from
grain or fruit q own in Vermont or any
other other state or country are intoX-
icating, and that the manufacture and
sale Of them are the proper subject of
legal prohibition, is the settled convic.
ton of our w, G. Il. T., everywhere,
and also that no distinction shall be
made by the law concerning the manu-
| iacture ana sale Of the various kinds OF
| alcoholic beverages, We have come TO
the conclusion from the teachings OF
science and from our sad observations
of the source of drunkenness. Thus
the prayer of orr petitions is always
against all these liquors.
Again, the immediate result Of your
effort in securing the prayer OF your
petition, is of minor importance TO the
real character of the effort. 1t would
be unworthy of you, should you frame
XS. nfltiGe9S sale i 81 IRE ligRtcr drink
as less harmful than the stronger. You
cannot possibly see results. The con-
lllct OF forces in political society to day
battles the wisest prognoslicator.
Christian women should have no part in
so-called" political politics" that catches
at present eXpedients, and which says
"don't ask too much or you won't get
anything" My advice is ask for whaC
you want, take what you can get: other
wise you will yourself be responsible |
for possible short comings. | deem the |
opposition of the w. G. Il. L. TO the |
pending amendment which makes
distinction as between ''intoxicating |
liquor and cider and wine made from |
fruits grown in this state" to be very
wise,
Such an amendment would lower |
the standard of prohibition in your
state, and not only that, it would set
the lowered standard in the bed rock |
OF the constitution.
After twenty-five years of prohibi-
ton, and in the light of advanced tenn
perance sentiment of the whole country,
It would be piiiful indeed for Vermont
10 thuo st"itify her own grand reoord.
The W. c. Il. L. believe that the re-
straint required TO prevent drunken
ness, pauperism and crime is the abso-
lutte prohibition of the traffic of all alco-