Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-12-13
THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE AND
OUR LEGISLATURE.

TIE SUNS Ok TEMPERANCE AND
OUR LEGISLATURE.
From the annexed debate, which occurred
in our Legislature last week, it will be seen
that the patriotic ardor of some Of the Sotons
Of North Carolina, has been Indignantly arous-
cd towards our Order, because, forsooth, ap-
Paications have been made for acts of incorpora-
ton for some Of the Divisions, to enable them
TO hold and possess, in their associated capaei-
y, the buildings which they have, or may erect,
in which to hold their meetings, &c. We can
not, for a moment suppose, that any member
Of the Legislature is silly enough to believe
that the Order, BY a simple act Of incorpora-
ton, viii be thereby possessed of any new
powers dangerous to the interests or inssitn-
tons Of the countFy-to suppose so would be
an insult TO the intelligence of the vsriest tyre
IN the cOuntry-bntthe occasion Of such an ap-
PIeation being made, afforded so good an op-
pOrtunity for those who feel strong hostility to
the cause to vent their spleen against Il, that
they could not suffer il TO pass unimpreved-
Hence the g~Toandless, unjust and IbeIlous as
saults made upon the objects and designs ofthe
Order.
We had the misfortune not to be present al
the time the discussion took place, or We would
give a literal and extended account Of ii. orr
and con. But from what we have been told, a.
well as the reports we have seen in our City pa,
pers, i must have been a rich aud spicy scene
We do not depreeate the discussion Of o1
principles IN our Legislative halls; on the con.
trary, we rejoice to know that they have beer
proclaimed and indicated against the unjust
aspersions Of bigOtry and prejudice. The able
and eloquent defence of the Order Of the Son,
Of Temperance by men who have hearts tofee
and heads to comprehend the humane and sub
lime objects and designs of our Order, viii cal
the attentionof the ~virtuous and benevolent tt
it heath7giving principles, and cause them t.
unite with US in e~feetng our Christian purpo
ses, Let those pander, who may, to the corrup
and selfish passions of bigotry and supersti
ton, and enjoythe green lanres to be won OF
such a field Of eonquest-let them ride upor
the tetid breeze that sweeps men from III,
brOthel to places Of distinction, If they choos,
-itis a free country, and men have a right /,
mount any hobby they like, to gain favor Will
The multitude-but in their longing aspiration
for Distinction, let them have the magnanimit,
70 withhold Misrepresentation towards their on
ponents.
We would not feel inclined to eliminate tn
motives of the honorable gentlemen who sa,
proper to attack our Order, we're it not 90 an
Parentthat they wished to hold on to their pre-
Judicial views in regard to it. When it wa
hrst charged on the floor ofthe House of Com
mons, that the Sons Of Temperance would pre-
baby be perverted to political purposes an
eventually 10 an interference with the election
Of the country, il was boldly and ~nnoquivocaI
y met by honorable gentlemen ofthe Hous
linen whose word and honor they dared nc
questiOn-that by no possible contingency, vi
lessby q gross departure from the principles
tho Order, could such an event transpire-tl
objection or allegation was not withdrawn, b.
instead, was iterated and reiterated with stul
born pertnacity-thus strongly demonstratin
that they were unwilling to yield the erroneo,
views they entertained concerning it. 1.-THE,
evil tapdencies existed in our Order (Sor
they we're entertained they would be the gre
test evil that could possibly be inflicted upc
it, and no one would more willingly expo
them, or arrest them if they were attempted
be fastened upon us, than would WEI sure
the tens Of thousands belonging to our frate
nifty are as likely to know and feel them, as Il
-uninitiated and as they have as great an j
forest in the prosperity and welfare of Il
Government as others oftheir felIow-citizer
would they not expose them? Is any one S
" enough to believe that a man by pledgir
himself ~ sobriety, virtue and benevolenee,
thereby made less patriotic, or a worse citizen
fany one is jealous of our meetings, for a fe
dollars he can obtain the right to enter evel
one Of them, if he is o! good moral characte
and will agree to our pledge and if we d
or teach, any thing contrary to our publish,
principles, he may reneunce us, and proclai
our turpitude, without violating any obligatic
imposed on him I'VE interfere with the D
lftical, civH, or religious rights and liberties
snycf our fellow citizens, any Son Of Tempe
anee, who can evince it, may lawfully expo
eur misconduct to the community.