Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-04

Importance to the public and themselves Z
leaving the propriety, Of passing necessary !
laws afterwards. where the people have repo-
sed that power.
10th. We do not propose to change the i
objects nor the means of our institution. Ii
We have thus glanced at the arguments of
our respected brother. We may still be mista-
taken. Our remarks are submitted with diff
fdence, because we know the brother, and we
know the soundness of his Judgment But as
our first article, by its signature, was intended
to draw upon the right person any odium it
might incur, we cannot be expected to retire
from any positions we have assumed, unless
compelled to do 50 by the force Of argument.
The following extracts occur in different pro-
ceedings Of the National Division. /
"WHERKAs, The National Division Of the
United States is clearly Of opinion that the
liquor traffic, licensed and unlicensed, Is the
great hindrance in the way of the Temper
ance reform, therefore, with a view to bring the
entire influence Of the Order to bear against
this tremendous evil,
Resolred, That every Subordinate Division |
under this jurisdiction be and is hereby recon-
mended to appoint committees to collect facts
and statistics showing the tendency of such
traffic upon the pecuniary, social, moral and
religious interests of those engaged in it, as
well as upon society at large, and also to hold
public meeting on the third Division of each
facts before the people," Nat. Division 9Th
Session, 1849.
aThe liquor fraternity, if not in the majori-
ty, are united, and have thus succeeded IN in
voking all the power of the law for their pro-
/ 80. and
corrupt desires are generally most potent over
sin ruined man. We must be united In our
determination to expel the enemy from his le-
gal fastenesses, tear off his political and judi
cial vestments, and show him forth in all his
vile and naked deformity. The better dispo-
sition beginning to be manifested by many Of
our legislatures, induces us to hope the day is
not far in the future when the liquor seller will
cease 10 be regarded as cirii tinctioHary ere
ated for the public good The agitation Of this
subject by the Order is slowly, but ! think
surely producing an effect IN. w. P. Cary's
Report, 9TH session, 1855.
IL have ever thought and still think that
every thing incorporated into our system of op-
Grafton should je subordinate to the one great
: object and that IN all that we do as an Order
we should have our eye fixed upon the stHpen-
4 dous, god-Iike enterprise Of Kidding this earth
d of distilleries, dramshops, and drunkards. The
: great question should be with us all, will this
or that measure contribute to the cherished and
. central design Of our organization? We rnus'
!, never seek for popularity or success at the ex
! pense of principle. With strong hands aid
firm, unwavering purposes, we -uust unitedly
attack the fortresses Of the enemy, and battel
ell down his walls, regardless as to who of Us shal
perish in the conflict" Valedictory Of the same
!. "Intemperance has entered the halls of leg
|. isIation and so perverted the judgment of ru
ilers that they have armed it with the sane
ton Of the law-thus augmenting its frightfu
: power and making the State partner in tn
d guilt" Public Dedication Ceremony submit
e ted 7th sess. 1850.
ISL One would suppose, from the above extract
(on which we viii not comment) that our Oh
' der was engaged, with the retailing system i
u a war Of determination. As we reason wit
y the moderate and immoderate drinker, to witt
=. draw their support from this system, becaus
or their own and the interests Of society requi1
It, so we should argue with the various organ
o. cations Of society whose interests are at stal
in the same matter. It would still be but Il
hol employment Of moral means. If there wei
To no laws against stealing and murder, the churs
nj might very properly convince the legislatu
!, Of the necessity Of prohibiting such offences
y A very discreet writer recently called on Il
ne church to invoke legislative assistance
= the matter before US. Who could hesitate
lch persuade father not to let his son retail q
ate dent spirits? And why shall we, Or any 9th
ick body interested to do 50, fear to ask Of the
ion gislature, for those counties which might desi
i a it, power to put down the whole retailing s.
tenn It appears TO us that the same princiI
Z !" applies to all these cases
In Attorney Generals ps. The Justices of Gt
his ford, (Iredell's Law vol. W Chief Justice r
e a fin remarks: There are good persons, "
lap- think it would be conducive to the, happin
MD of men to refrain from the use Of spiritu,
rto drinks; and no one can dispute the shock
- evils often produced by the excessive use
'i-S them. Therefore, it is very fit that beneyol
~. persons, who entertain that opinion, should
'zo' persuasion, example, forming associations
re- other moral means, endeavor to induce meT
tric- renounce it, and in that all may wish Il
pun success, however much many may despair Of
ten Now, if the Supreme Court, IN decidir
tber question Of Law, could stop to comment '
~ appreciation, on the good done to the public
Temperance Associations, and express tn
pos pinion that their success is to be desired by
:, ns surely the Legislature might well cast u
mot them a favorable eye, and enquire whet
it, institutions which prevent so much evil,
stem effect so much good, are not worthy of its
our tering care-are not worthy of some consi
: T alton, among the hundreds of enactments n
A.. to render other institutions more bene6ci'
vynS the public.
!, N 70 Hit could be established, that by the rem
shed we could remedy forever every evil .surin
our from intemperance; that Legislature "
IS us. would refuse to remove such obstacles, v
gn0wl deserve to De handed down to Postf
d we branded WIN WIN PeIResaal miany. ana 5l
's'e'o ing those evils, 50 far would disgrace for
ton attach to that Legislature Ineither