Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-26
ThurIow Weeds Temperance" Views.

The temperance question is assuming |
new aspects and larger proportions. After
more than forty years Of earnest and per-
sistent efforts, prohibitory liquor laws have
signally failed to promote the cause Of tenn
perance. "Maine laws have been so gem
orally either violated or evaded as TO satisfy
calm THINKERS that drunkards are not to
be reformed by prohibitory enactments.
The great champion of prohibition, Neal
Dow, worn out by long years of indomitable
efforts, has announced his determination to
retire. But what the old states have vir-
tually given up as hopeless our younger
brethren have espoused with all the enthu-
siasm which characterizes youthful commu-
mites. Legislation having proved abortive
in Maine, Kansas and Iowa resort to amend
ments of their constitutions prohibiting not
only the sale but the distillation of intoxica-
ting liquors. This strikes at the root of the
evil, and If prohibition were possible is
blow in the right direction. The danger is
that Iowa has entered upon warfare, al
though in the highest degree laudable,
which will aggravate rather than diminish
the horrors of intemperance. With the
keenest sense of all the wretchedness and
degradation occasioned by intemperance,
have been an anxious observer for half
century of all the methods by which it was
hoped these evils might be mitigated. |
have conversed frequently on the subject
with Chancellor Waworth, Rev. DIR. Dele
van, and many other distinguished prohibit
tionists, and, while giving them credit for
philanthropic convictions, | believed, and
still believe, that they were wasting their
time and their talents. All that ever has
been done for temperance in our city or state
was accomplished by domestic, moral and
religious influences. 1t has often and very
properly been urged that those who oppose
reform measures should offer something bet
ter. This now propose to do, and presump-
tuous as my scheme may be regarded, ! am
prepared not only to suggest but to demon
strate that by the concerted action of the
people and the government we can become,
as nation, as distinguished for sobriety as
we now are for intemperance. BY the
acquisition of new territory we can become
as extensively a grape growing country as
France or Switzerland. Let California,
Kansas, and some other states with soils
adapted TO grape culture, turn their indus
tries in that direction, and the practical
remedy for intemperance will soon be
reached. When the grape is produced in
sufficient quantities to furnish cheap wine
as a beverage for all classes, it will be
within the scope and duty of congress to
perfect reform that will emancipate our
people from the horrors, and our nation from
| the reproach, of intemperance. Congressional
laws effectually prohibiting the adulteration
of whiskey and other alcoholic drinks
should be enacted Under such laws ex-
perts should be appointed to test the purity
Of such liquors. Other laws should be
passed imposing duties so onerous upon i'm
ported liquors as either to exclude or tC rem
der them so expensive that the rich only
could purchase them. If the time, labor,
money and talent that have been, since
| 1880, devoted to well-meant but utter fruit
less efforts in favor of prohibition had been
| united in favor of the measure here briefly
outlined, the curse of intemperance would
have been removed from our borders Light
and palatable wines would have been sub
stituted for inebriating and poisonous alco-
holic liquors. This reform is to be accom-
plished by furnishing wine abundant and
cheap, while, by legislation, whiskey, rum,
brandy, etc., are made 80 dear as to be out Of
the reach of the laboring classes. France
and England are divided by narrow chan
mel France produces wine as beverage !;
England grows hops and brews beer. The
French people are industrious, frugal, and
sober; in England the laboring classes are
improvident, Incorporate, and degraded.
Unhappily, our social and domestic habits
and tastes came with our ancestors from
England. Let us now rise above them, and
adopt measures which will secure to the
rising and future generations the blessings
which confer prosperity and happiness upon
the French people,-NeU York Tribune.