Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-06

some views not altogether in aceordaaee With
those of Bros. Potter and 4ofnan.1gnr
Order IS charged, they alledged, with eh-Ti
deavoring to enforce its views by legal en-
actments. 1t will be well then, to have it
at once, rightly understood, to what extent
if to any, the Sons Of Temperance will ever
exert their influence through the Legislature
If it is destined to be improperly exerted,
no matter what be the present opinions Of
our members, the f~aarought to be known.
In sportsman phrase, let u see what our
hand is, and then show it. We believe the
~virtuous citizens of North Carolina will have
no cause to be against us.
Before discussing the subject, We wish to
free it from difficulty, presented by Bro Pot
ter. He says that any organised action in
connection with it, by Sons Of Temperance,
will involve publicity. Now secrecy with US
is confined to Passwords, ceremonies, and
other private matters. of the Order. That
there are matters which are not private, may
be inferred from the fact, that proceedings
q Of National and Grand Divisions, and those
carried up from Subordinates, are always
published, and resolutions of Subordinates,
!, on matters not necessarily secret, are often
presented to the eyes of every body, through
e temperance Journals. Surely, if any mat
tiers Of our Order can be public, those ought
4 to be which concern the interests of all.
Let US now enquire whether the course
4 objected to, would be within our legiti-
,e mate sphere of action. Our fundamen,
u tai laws % moi settle The question hey
ar are only internal regulations, Intended
only for our government among our
grfFvs, but where The the world al
bryce is concerned, unless We are actual
restricted by some law, We have only
inquire, whether a proposed action i
mpatible with the interest and the grea
jects of our Order, and with the right.
others.
Irog Shops keep up a large body 0
n who are schocsed. by their name
living, into hostility against us. b
g shops, multitudes are directly an,
Irectly, prevented from joining US
nbers, are led into temptation, an.
diminishing our numbers, and Civ
arguments to our enemies. Wors
III, the very evils, the injuries /
classes of society which we ar
anised to remedy. and the pro:
I of alternating which, gives us a
BODY our high responsibility, al
I alive and active as ever. Now
ue that by persuasion, converts wi
made from those who are under gro
p influence. But it is equally true, thi
long as there are bad men in our Stat
n who are willing TO be restraine,
Their by public opinion, nor by patrio
and philanthropy, Law only will p
riain, until ii is put down, the Temp
nee reform will not be triumphant
Nv, if cur Society is organised for Il
Fpose Of perfecting that reform if f
at purpose, by moral s~uasion, she brin
to requisition the levers of moral POI
if those great engines of reform, t
|atory and the press are employed
Ihuence public sentiment if society
lied upon TO assist us with her frowl
i'd if The Church is invoked, not or
withdraw opposition, but to lend c
use a helping hand, surely, in a di
llty which can be removed only by Ii
lative power, which that power, I
ablic, and ourselves are deeply int
Pted in removing, the objects of
lstitution are not inconsistent with al
g ~interposition from the supreme pc
r of the State.
Let US now see how far we would
erfere with the rights OF others.
No body Of men, in a republic, ha
ght to make laws for the governanct
be people, but those to whom the PEG
pmmit that power. But all bodies hr
Bright to petition for, and obtain by
Ma argument, any laws which their inter'
age it require, and which the legislative pc
and can with justice enact. Nothing in
. 1t Bill Of Rights and the Constitution
let a. North Carolina, can be construed to
great hibit 1t. And the Legisture of our S
it ex- has ever listened with favor, 10 petit
their and memorials on matters Of privat
Aappy well as of public Importance. As
lnued body ought never to attempt to peri
: they the functions which the Organization
" and Society has assigned exclusively to
ess.- other, so undue influences, which
Sons motely but virtually transfer those Fl
5oxica- tons, las forcing the Legislature by in
idation, are equallytobe regarded as
'esstul of usurpation. But simply present.
lemies statemento of facts accompanied by a
to say of reasoning on their Influences over
with public welfare, to those who have its
riction p~eryision, ought not TO be considere
unwarrantable assumption of powe
o join, Those who have no other objection t
thou institution, can not find fault with
ght to such grounds. If men are ieaguet
d, yet gether 10 do wrong, they must be OF
oil for thar nriDcinles R.rF g fta;