Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-12-19
FRIDA,, DECEMBER 10. 1902.
Not Out Of the Woods Yet.

Not Out Of the Woods Yet.
When fierce and dangerous storms are
raging men experiencing their inhu-
ence are apt to overrate the promise
which CLEAN of sunshine or a favor
able indication in the storm seemed to
promise. When the agitation of the Ii
cense law commenced it struck an ele-
ment in the nature of our population
which was exceedingly sensitive and en-
thusiastic. and an arraignment of the
abuses and frauds practiced under the
prohibitory law, and the presentation of
a plausible substitute for it awakened
such an unexpected interest, zeal and
hope for change that men almost went
wild over it. There was a combination
of many sound reasons and an incon-
trollable impulse which really moved,
probably, majority of the people of
the state to desire change, and if the
question had been put to the voters OF
the state at the height of the excitement
they would have undoubtedly pro-
nounced in favor of high license. That
would have been thing almost incredi-
BILE that staid old Vermont should have
been rooted up and its characteristic
reverence for one of its legislative in
stitutions with all the prejudices, politi-
cal and social surroundings, and all that
devotion in which the law was imbed-
ded should be swept away by a sudden
and unexpected revolution in sentiment,
argument and impulse. But so it was.
and it was taken for granted that a ma
jority had abandoned the old institu-
ton. Before then mems loyalty to the
state and their religious and moral
characters were largely determined by
their adherence or opposition to the old
law. Then men were constantly seeking
to add some more stringent or radical
provision to it, and out of that act OBJ
tanning public favor and promotion. But
when this excitement came it seemed to
absolve them from all such considera-
tions. This was due of course in a
large measure to the fact that one of the
prominent parties was committed to
high license, and that leading men in
the other party, as well as some of the
clergy and other eminent men who were
acting above political considerations,
joined in denouncing the abuses and
corruptions that grew out of the old or
der of things. 1t reached such point
as to indicate great probability that
there would be enough sentiment of that
kind to endauger the success of the domi
nant party. In any event it condescend
ed to treat with parties made up of re
publicans, democrats and independents
and pledged itself to request the legis
lature to submit to the public provision:
for high license for their adoption o.
rejection. And it redeemed that pledge
honorably and squarely. And so thu
friends of high license seemed to take i
for granted that we are to have high Ii
cense. But it seems to us they overlook
several conditions. 1t is a matter O.
congratulation that the party making
the pledge has done everything in sucl
good faith, and that legislative &C
has been prepared with so much indus
try, candor and fairness to be submitted
to the people. But when the republican
party pledged itself to procure such a re
suit its members were in no wise pledges
to vote to sustain that act whatever i
might be.
This brings us to say that no faction o
class of men have yet been tested OIL
this subject. They count the friends o
the old law as indicated by the humble
Of votes cast for governor. This is n,
test because many of their number fel
in with the idea of the referendum, an,
their own sentiment was divided, s.
that their efficiency was neutralized
Any man who thinks that that old inst
tuition around which has clustered for 5,
years the hopes of good men and tn
opportunities of politicians will go dow
without showing must mistake TIN
situation. Every crevice and corner will
be searched, every valley will be trav
ersed, to find and bring to light the ad
herents to what has been one of Yer
mont's strongest institutions, and tn
strength of which no man knows ever
now. That the legislature has framed
high license bill in no wise commits it
members to its support. Legislator
who labored night and day to frame tn
bill and to present the best measure Q
the kind they were capable of are FIRE
to 20 home and Immediately 60 to wor
opposing it. The state has substantial
been committed to the submission of
high license act; but the people of the stat
have not been pledged to support tn
measure. So with all these uncertaintie
and unknown or incalculable influence
the people have only to congratulat
themselves that the issue is fairly joine
l.. l..l L.