Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-07-30
THE PROHIBITION MOVEMENT

Edtor Register There seems to Ice n
new party organizing and putting a tick
t into the field. and to elect which our
oteS are asked. This new party alleges
j. IA reason for forming that one of the
avs on Il statute books is not en-
creed: that the dominant party in the
ftate j. not in sympathy with and will
bot execute that law. and that members
If their own party are the only one that
IAN safely ~ entrusted with the "Nccu-
ion of the law.
Now. then. it becomes all of Us who
re O only in favor of the prOhibitory
aW. but also in favor of its execution the
anne a. we are in favor of the execution
f the other laws upon u statute books,
@ favor this new party if We can find
nYthing to commend the nominees and
mover, in this new departure and to give
: reason to believe they will be more
aithful. if We place them in power, than
hose hat have been called by the votes
t the people to execute the laws of the
ftatc of Vermont. If we are to have
Snlv one law eXecutcd-and this new
Sarty in their platforms and resolutions
live Us no promise that they will execute
ny other-we should be sure that We
lect on this one issue those that can be
depended upon TO c~ourageously, faithful
n and conscientiOuSly fulfil their prom
kes on this one question. What concerns
: at his present time Is. What evidence
al they show Us that they are in earnest
nd not, aS they allege of the candidates
f the other parties. only seeking place
nd the emolumentS II hOnors of office
Courage. honest purpose and willing
ess TO sacrifice ones W personal pop
larity are necessary 70 execute the pro-
ibitory law. If these new candidates
no ask for place by votes do not
ully understand this, they would do
ell to decline to run for official place
here the only thing they promise to do
to execute this one law. Now. while
e have their promise that they will exc
ute this law, indeed. that they only can
e relied upon to execute it, il is the
pinion of some that we should he furn-
he'd some proof that they mean to do
hat they say and that they will do it.
hey may say, We have never been i'm
over and therefore cannot fairly be re-
uired to furnish proof of what we will
q until you give Us the chance To show
ou what our works will bring forth.
Just here it occurs to one who has
lought much on this subject. and per-
apS tried in "A small way to do his duty
IA citizen, that it does not depend 81
luch upon the officials we elect to exc
|Ite the law as it Toe upon the citizens
see that the law il executed: in fact.
cry few of the State, county or town Of
cials we elect, have, or can have. any
hing to do with the execution of this
W., except in their capacity as citizens.
ence it would seem a. if these new can
dates for place and power should be
Die to furnish some evidence that they
ave been doing their duty As citizens and
ave beer using the laws we have 10 sup
ress the illegal traffic in Intoxicating
luor. If this traffic Is to be suppressed,
e must have earnest and courageous
ork, and the citizens themselves are the
les that must do this work and be the
bwer behind the throne of the official.
e elect, that is now, a. it always has
zen, greater han any throne of office,
his work can never be done by any Off
ais unless the power behind the throne
eXerted and felt. We may get together
Did large or small temperance meetings.
AXE flaming temperance speeches, and
upon other citizens to execute the
VS. that our excessive earneStness ha,
iuenced our Legislators to give us, and
1T fall far short of Our duty as citizens in
1t ourselves taking hold, and by using