Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-29
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, NOVEMBER %, 1850.

use of strong drink, we know that the
deliverance of the country from its
present curse is utterly hopeless while
ardent spirits is in the hands of the peo-
pie. 1t must be banished. Public opin-
ion must set it aside. Youngmen must
contribute to form that opinion. 1t can
not be formed without the total abstI
neLce of the temperate. Let us not dare
to stand in its way.
But we can do something more. We
have an influence which, in a variety of
ways, we may use in the community to
diminish the temptations which, where
ever We look, are presented to the e'unwa-
rv TO entice them ointemperance. We
can employ the influence Of example, of.
opinion, and of persuasion, TO drive out
of fashion and into disrepute, the com
mon but ensnaring practice of evincing.
hospitality by the display of strong drink
and Of testifying friendship and good
will over the glass. We can contribute
much powerful cooperation in the efoAt
to make the use of ardent spirits for the
ordinary purposes of drink so unbecom-
ing the character of temperate people,
that he who wishes to have his reputa-
ton for temperance unsuspected, will
either renounce the dangerous cup, or
wait till no eye but that of God can see
him taste it. We can do much in union
with those of more age and more estab-
lished influence, to create public feel
ing against the licensing of those innu-
merable houses of corruption where se-
duction into the miseIies of drunkenness
IS the trade of their keepers, and the
means of destruction are vended SO low,
and offered so attractively, that the poor
est may purchase his death, and the
strongest may be persuaded to do so.-
These horrible abodes of iniquity not on
ly faci lItate the daily inebriation Of the
veteran drunkard. but they encourage,
and kindle, and nourish, and confirm
the incipient appetite of the novice, and
put forth the first influence in that sys.
TEN of persuasion by which the sober
are ultimately subdued and levelled to
the degradation of wretches, from whose
loathsomeness they once turned away in
disgust. Why are these instruments of
cruelty permitteds Not because the
authorities will not refuse to license them.
Public opinion is the conscience Of those
authorities. Let the opinions and feel
ings of that portion of the community
where the strength and patronage of So
ciety reside, be- once enlisted in opposi-
tion to such houses, and the evil will be
remedied; the ais of society will moi
be insulted, nor the happiness OF families
endangered at every step by the agents
and means and attractions of intemper.
ance. Young men have much TO do
and are capable of doing great work in
creating such public opinion.
In order to exert ourselves with iht
best effect in the promotion of the seve'
raj objects in this great cause to which
young men should apply themselves, lie
us associate ourselves into Temperance
Societies. We know the importance o
associated exertions. We have Otter
seen how few instruments,F severally
weak, have become mighty when united
Every work, whether for evil or beney
olent purposes, has felt the life, arr
spur, and power Of cooperation. Tb,
whole progress of the temperance refor
nation, thus far, is owing to the infiu
ence of societies to the coming togeth
er of the temperate, and the union o
: their resolutions. examples and exer
: tions, under the articles Of temperanc
societies. Thus examples have beel
/ brought out, set upon hill and made Sc
e cure. Thus the weak have been strength
; ened, the wavering confirmed, the irres
olute emboldened. Thus public atten
| tion has been awakened. public feelin
E interested, and public sentiment turne
l and brought to bear. Thus works hav
F.; been performed, information distributed
E agencies employed, and a thousand in
f struments set in motion which no indus
e try of individual unassociated actio
? could have reached. let temperanc
societies be multiplied. Every new as
d sociation is a new battery against tn
/, stronghold of the enemy, and gives
: new impulse TO the hearts of those VIII
0 have already joined the conflict. LIZ
: US arise and be diligent, and be united
!, and may the God of mercy bless OIL
o work.
e N n r