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


sonville Division, Nc. rs, August 18th
1850, the following resolution was unan-
imously adopted:
"Resolged, That a Committee be APP
pointed to enter the protest of this Di-
vision against the action of the National
Division at its late session, voting to
strike out the words " in this respect "
from the obligation, thereby rendering
that obligation in all its phases binding
to the end of life"
The undersigned, appointed in accor-
dance with the above Resolution, in un-
dertaking the duty imposed upon them,
remark in the beginning, that they are
actuated by a spirit of sincere and ardent
devotion to the interests of our glorious
Order-that there is nothing we more
earnestly desire than to see this firebrand
extinguished, that the car of reform may,
without any impeachment, again roll on
with a richer freight and accelerated
speed.
1t is apparent to the most careless OBJ
server, that this action on the part of the
National Division has created an excite
ment in our ranks which has been pro-
d~active of much ill-feeling and consider
able loss, and which, if not repealed,
threatens its very existence. Amongst
the brethren in the States of Maryland,
Virginia, North and South Carolina, Ten
~nessee and Georgia, there seems to be
but one feeling and n opinion in regard
! to this measure. They believe this res
! olution of the National Division is a vir-
tual dissolution of the compact under
7 (which they came into the Order, and
I they feel the deepest regret that that
body should thus thoughtlessly infict sc
fatal a wound upon our body at a time
when the signs were so full of hope and
promise. Here, it certainly has produced
: confusion, doubt and ~disaffection to tbs
Order. We are far from believing tina
this was the design had in view by thu
members Of the National Division il
passing the resolution spoken of-b9
such has been the effect. From the know
character of the leading members of tina
body we cannot believe they were actu
- ated by any other than motives of Low
e to the Order, and a desire to advance it
n prosperity. And we have all conidenc
to believe that when that body finds. a
!, It will find, that their action in this res
pect instead of producing the good in
tended, has been productive of evil. an
!. only evil, they will promptly and cheer
/, fully restore our obligation to the orig
nal state.
We have always considered the reaC
ing Of the obligation so clear and unau
3. biguous as Il admit Of but one reason'
y Bile Interpretation ; and, notwithstandin
> this new construction by the Nations
H. Division, we think so still. And ii
question Of right is. to our minds, equa
- " clear. We look p 0 this ~resolutic
~ Of the National Division as an attemr
to legislate US out Of the possession
H., rights which we cannot and will not So
- render.
!, Believing that the repeal Of this res
y. luton is imperatiVely demanded by e
cry consideration both Of policy and il
tice-believiug that il carried out, it
~ calculated to iniure, and perhaps destr,
. = the Order; We, therefore, as a SUBJ
e. dinate Division. having deeply at nei
- the success and good name of the {
der, solemny and earnestly protest
a. gainst the enforcement Of any such m
chievous, ill-timed and destructive me
sure.
We think it proper to state that
- have no idea of abandoning the Orr
SO long as we have any reasonable he
! - of obtaining a redress OF the grievar
: of of which we complain. And we hi
~. too much reliance upon the philanthro
'a~s the frmness and the good sense Of
t;on brethren generally, to suppose that Il
- are willing, on account of a single Ell
committed by our highest legislai
body, to throw to the winds all the fir
80 of their labors in this great and /
cause. and again permit the minion
D King Alcohol TO reign in undisputed
umph. Already are the foes ofTeml
ance rejoicing over the imaginary do
n tfall of the Order of the Sons of Tenn
ance-already we hear their chuckli
of delight and their shouts of exultat
? OUT Ever since the first organization Of
lvea Order of the Sons of Temperance, its
versaries have said that it was but
ANTS fruit of a temporary excitement, and
r Or predicted its early downfall. NotW
the standing the predictions of these 1
ton prophets, wear after year the Order
leard gone triumphantly onward, deepenin
mate borders /; and up TO the time of the
char sage of this unfortunate resolution, i
oned ioyed a degree Of prosperity and sire
ore never before equalled. 1t may be
the Order shall 90 down-it may be
edge. the noble bark which for seven year
latest breasted the breakers and overrode
the ry wave of opposition, shall at last
Tenn laden with the hopes of millions, a !
less wreck beneath the waters.