[From the Total Abstinent. ]
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Mr. Edtor-This is the day on which we are
accustomed to wish our friends happy new year;
but mere wishes unaccemPanied by appropriate
means or action, will not usually produce much
happiness. In this month most or all the towns
in the state will hold meetings to decide, by a
major vote of the electors present. whether wines
and spirituous liquor shall be indscriminately sold
the present year. To decide questions wisely, it
IS sometimes best to take a retrospective view OF
the past and enquire whether the same causes are
not likely to produce the same effects: and if we
shall find from facts or otherwise, that the sale of
wines and spirituous liquors at every corner, has
heretofore tended to increase pauperism, crime,
misery and DEATH would it not be well to accom-
pany our wishes to friends this year, for pros
peritv and happiness, by our acts and votes, and
to endeavor to stop the indscrlminate sale OF these
articles in our respective towns? And now, Mr..
Editor, propose to give few reasons why shall
vote aoainst it-reasons founded on facts which
have come under my own observation within the
last thirty years, amongst population OF about
two thousand. might go into particulars, and
state many things which would be appalling and
heart rending, in connection with these facts, but
| forbear.


1st. A majority Of the state and town taxes, aba
ted by the selectmen, were to the lntemperate, or
bv reasons of intemperance.


Cd A large proportion of the taxable polls aba
tod bv the assessors and board of relief on account
If " sickness, inirmity and disability" were from
the ranks of the ntemperate.


3rd. A majority of those persons who have
,ean assisted by the town paupers, were direct
II Or indirectly reduced by strong drink


18th. Persons under the influence OF ardent splr--
is have committed crimes which have carried
them to the state prison.


5th. And many more from the same cause have
committed crimes that have carried them to the
county prison.