Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-13
From the Raleigh Register.
TO THE TEMPERANCE MEN IN NORTH
CApOTTNA

CAROLINA
Nothing can be more gratifying to the con-
templative mind, than to take a retrospect of
the glorious cause of Temperance reform, and
view the brilliant successes which have crown
ed the efforts of its friends-the great revolu-
ton which has been wrought in the morals of
communities which have come under its infiu-
ence. But while this is confessedy true, it
cannot be denied on the other hand, that the
present condition of affairs is somewhat morti-
flying and discouraging to the faithful advocate
and follower. 1t seems that the energy of
many has been chilled, if not altogether relax
ed, and that some of those who haze been
loudest in their vociferations against the use
of ardent spirits are nOU as dumb as oysters
as silent as the grave!
Now, such a state of things has two-fod
injurious efect,.viz First, to discourage the
most Jealous and ardent devotee of the cause /;
and secondly, TO encourage and strengthen its
enemies in their opposition. This conceive
to be one OF the greatest evils in our way. 1t
is hard work enough, in all conscience. to
meet the enemy in an open field, with clear
sky and an undivided front But to attack
them when our phalanx is rent by disaffecton,
and distracted and divided in our councils, is
madly to leopard the ultimate success of our
warfare, and to give the most advantageous
position to the united forces of King Alcohol,
whose name is LEGION To the work, then,
Temperance men, and wipe from your escutch-
con the imputation of neglect and lethargv.
And to my mind, ] see no plan so feasible
and so completely at hand, to effect revival
of the Temperance spirit in our State, as that
of the Order of the g Sons of Temperance ;"
Already is this Institution thoroughly organi-
zed in our midst-havng a fountains head, or
Grand Division for North Carolina, with sew
eral fourishing subordinate Divisions, and an
increased and Frightening prospect OF several
others being very soon established. The most
casual observer must have noticed that a most
deplorable falling off has taken place Many
Of our Temperance Societies Wnder the old
Washingtonian plan) are totally neglected, if
not utterly abandoned individual exertion has
been Withdrawn, and almost every where in
temperance seems to be on the increase.
What, then, IS to be done? seems to be the
natural enquiry, to save the cause from utter
humiliation in the Old North State The
Sons of Temperance is an Institution
which has spread with greater rapidly than
anything of the kind ever before known. In
less than five years, they have risen from sic
teen lone men to largely more than one hun
dred thousand. Their system of organization
is perfect-complete. 1t embraces in its Bro
therhood some of the very first men in the
Nation. That it is good cause, and one in
which every Christian, Phlanthropist and Pa
| trlot can safely and Zealously engage, is fact
admitted by all, even its most rabid opponents.
| With cause, then, which has bid a success
| full defiance to the tongue of SANDER and ma
lice, and received the approving sanction OF
Heaven itself, what have we to fear to en-
gage in it Or rather, what awful RESPONSE
bllitles shall we incur if we neglect to engage
most heartily in so noble and praisew orthy q
work
This reflection, alone, should be amply suf-
fcient to arouse the slumbering energies of the
| friends of humanity, and inspire them with a
renewed determination to unfurl their banner
to the breeze, and valiantly to do service in
ingtonian, then, FURNISH up his armor, draw
till the principles of Sobriety and Temperance
are firmly established upon the ruins OF Drum
kenness and Misery.
to the Order of the Sons of Temperance,
paid,) to the Grand Scribe, Raleigh" all
anu III tllthI
! be desired
One word more, and have done. Friends
of Temperance let US arise once more-let
Us give our names, weight and influence, to
this flourishing institution, the Sons of TEN
perance. Let fight on! fight ever be the
watchword and banner-cry, and who can doubt
the result? The squalid misery, the burning
tears of the widow, and the heart-rending Ia
mentations of the orphan, would be changed
to comfort, happiness and plenty! The face
Of nature would assume lively and cheerful
smile, and humanity be elevated to the high
position for which it was destined. They
who neglect to bring about so desirable con-
summation, must inevitably suffer the poignant
reproaches of a guilty conscience. O! con-
science, wilt thou not hold the negligent to a
terrible accountability Remorse wilt thou
not give keener edge to the pangs Of con-
science, and wrap in the winding sheet Of
misery the soul which has disregarded its faith
| full admonitions Let not your consciences
| then, reprove you. LetYour conduct and bear.
ing in this matter be such as to secure peace
to the inner man, and happiness TO bleeding
! humanity. ANXIOUS.
u-Editors in the State friendly to the cause
of Temperance, are most earnestly and re
spectfuIly solicited to give the above an inser
ton in their respective papers.