Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-13

propriety Of legislation for the prevention of
intemperance, there certainly can be but one
as to the propriety Of giving to the
justices of the several counties, (the consti-
tuted authorities in the casey diseriminary
power Of granting or Withholding license to
retail spirits in their respective countless
The reasons for this are so obvious, that al
most all the older States in the Union have
long since made similar regulations in their
laws upon this subject. In view of this
fact, we can not but think, that the propo-
sed change, if properly presented, would
meet with acceptance and success from the
Legislature of our State at its approaching
session.
We also fully concur in the opinion, that
the vendors of spirituous liquors should be
made liable to the owners of slaves, to mas
ters of indented apprentices, and to parents
and guardians, for any loss that they may
sustain, arising from the effect of spirituous
liquors sold to these persons without a writ
ten consent from the master, parent, or guar
dian. And we see no reason why the pas
sage of a law to this effect-a law in every
respect so just, and equitable and salutary-I
should not meet with a favorable eonsidera-
ton by the Legislature of our State. We
are not able to say, however, how the sub
ject is viewed by the people of our State
generally, and what the friends Of Temper
ance Reform may think of the practicability
of It's adoption by our next Legislature
If they think favorably Of it in this respect,
we heartily agree with them in the proprie-
ty of bringing it before our next Legisla-
ture. But be this as it may, whether the
ground of hope be much or little, it is GER
tainly high time that this whole subject Of
| the, at present, licensed evils Of intemper-
ance, be urged upon the consideration of our
people, and Legislators. We are persuaded
. that it needs only to be duly considered by
: the respectable and orderly portion of the
e population, in order to secure such action as
8 its merits, as well as the cause of justice anG
: humanity demands.
e In regard to the success of the first pro
!, position-the comforting a discretionary pow
err upon the licensing authorities of the sew
e eral counties-we can not but feel confident
n for it requires but a moments thought t
perceive, that nothing can be more unjust
i nothing can be more directly contrary to tn
principles and spirit of a free, republica
IS government, like ours, than for the Legisla
l. ture of a State to take from the people {
d its several counties the right to decide fo
& themselves, whether it is best for themselve
E to tolerate the common sale of an article, t
y say the least of it, 50 dangerous as arder
. spirits. Yet, strange to say, this right
le completely taken from US by the existin
'e laws of our State, which require the gran
o ing Of a license In every case where the al
'e plicant can accomplish the very easy task
'e getting adequate recommendation as to h
r. fitness for the business. The many freeme
of our honored "0ld North State" ha,
reason to blush at their having submitted
tamely to the robbery Of this their deare
ey birth-right. Let them redress the wrong |
e- submitting no longer. but wipe off at on
us and forever, this foul disgrace
a As the best mode of presenting these su
ial jects to the consideration of our next Legisl
he ture, we would recommend that our frien
he of the Central Temperance Union draw
o an appropriate Memorial, to be sent to t
various Temperance organizations throue
er, out the State, and very numerously sign
he by the citizens Of the respective localities
his which copes Of the same may be sent, a
OF then forwarded and laid before the Legs
tnre, if possible by some one Pitts memb'
who will favor and advocate its adoption
that body.
all If these views meet the concurrence
ter the Division, we recommend that this ]
me port be Immediately transmitted by the
S. to the Executive Committee of the G
1t a trail Temperance Union, as the expression
ee- the sense of this Division on the subje
lrm presented in their Manifesto.
the All of which is respectfully submitted
Ient L. P. l. f.
all NJ n RPEAREP \