The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-08-12
TEMPERANCE.
A Word of Warning.

Editor Of Waterman: With your
permission l desire little space in
your valuable paper to utter word of
warning in relation to matter of vital
importance to the people of our be-
loved commonwealth, and which also
tells for veal or woe on the world at
large.
While, four years ago, the tariff was
the leading issue, this year that ques-
ton has measurably been set aside, or
at least partially lost sight of, in the
great excitement attending the money
question, That the honor and integrity
of our nation is assailed by an attempt
to lower our money standard, renders
it Of vast Importance that the friends
of righteousness be awake to sense of
their duly, as good and loyal citizens,
and put forth strenuous efforts to pre-
serve the nations credit. But in so
doing we should not suffer other and
vital questions, and those affecting our
homes and home interests quite as
much as the silver scheme, to be neg
lected and evil become more strongly
intrenched through default on our part.
The friends of temperance in our
state have labored hard and long TO
have enacted a suitable prohibitory
law-one that would not be too over
bearing in its requirements so much as
to cause it to be ignored by the lsw-
abiding citizens, but one that would re-
That the law does not accomplish all
that its friends desire is not alone the
fault of its trainers or of its advocates,
but that it has a powerful effect on the
liquor traffic in our state no one can
truthfully deny. If it has no restrain
ing power why is it held in such con-
Tempt by that class whom it is designed
to restrain, and who have long sought
its enthusiastically or in quiet way,
it is true, but nevertheless with a de-
termination to succeed in the near fu.
ture, if 80 be that the temperance ele-
meut becomes so carried away by other
interests as TO lose sight of the under
mining process that is continually &C.
ing on?
At the next session of the legislature
it is quite probable that more siren
uous effort than ever will be made to
substitute license law for our prohibi-
tory law, and, that being the case, ii is
hl6Al bAiI4O, Rhu NV bNcb VI W lodOii, lOl
the friends of The law, of whatever
| political party, TO cast about in their
respective towns and see who among
its freemen would be true to the in
terests of humanity by guarding aud
defending the law, if permitted to have
a seat in the next legislature, and, ii
possible, by every legitimate means
elect such men TO represent their town.
Not that it seems hardly possible with
the nominations already made that such
a radical change as the substitution OF
license for prohibition can take place
this year, but that no advancement
along this line be effected the utmost
caution should be exercised. Failing
in this, it may be found when too late
that other and adverse influences have
been brought to bear and the wrong
men elected TO office. Much as we dc.
plore the injurious effects which free
trade and free coinage would have or
the interests of our Green Mountain
State, it so be that for time we must
have them, let us submit with as much
grace as is possible, under the circum
stances; but, by all the power in HEAVIER
and on earth, let us not have free rum
high license or local option.
W. e. S. CELLEY.
FaiIlee, VT, August 6, 1896.