Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25

some insisting upon the construction above.
alluded to, while others, not presuming to.
discuss the point at issue, propose an alter
alton Of the Pledge so far as to strike cut,
what is commonly called the cider clause.
After having given this subject due at
tention and weighed every argument, for
and against it, it Is my deliberate conYiction.
that no alteration should be made,-even if
it could be.
The n. d. at its fourth Annual Session,
in IS47, adopted the following resolution
" Resolred, That the N. D. win never
make any alterations in the pledge, as con-
tained in the Constitution, Art. ID"
In view therefore of this actionsthe powered
Legislation by the highest Judicatory of our
Order is settled. Its true that we may ex-
press as . Gtfand Division our opinion on this
or any other point Of the pledge, but further /.
than this we cannot, we dare not go. You
will here permit me to express the earnest
hope that III the expression Of your opinion,
as body, On this subject, you viii have tho
courage todo your duty and to guard against
any latitude to the moral obligation of the
Pledge, that would compromit our character
and the principles of the Order. am a
ware that it Is frequently urged that we should
be cautious and guard against running into
fanatieism and while this caution is good in.
its place, we should be equally guarded in
not giving by any action Of ours, to any ex-
tent, slack reign to our appetites and pas
sions. What is there in sweet cider, SO temp
ting to US, so as to persuade the forsaking Of
our principles, which are foundedon total OBJ
4 4 =
some have DONE
f.! For the prosperity of every cause. there
exists necessity for self sacrifice Our hc-
| ly religion inculcates this principle Of deEo-
ton, and makes it obligatory upon her vo-
taries. Then we as an Order, initiating this
blessed example of our holy Christianity,
will have the protecting care Of q gracious
Providence, and though for while the dark
cloud of uncertainty and gloom, occasioned
/ by the disaHection of some, may gather Ter
four horizon, If God thus be for us, his viii
4 exercised shall cause that cloud to disappear
4 before the star of our Order, and then It
shall be our pleasure and delight to enjoy
the fruit Of our sacrifice, and the answer
.lof an approving conscience. Better that
for while our cause should even anguish,
i than for US to yicld our integrity and whole
some principles to the .effnsion Of misguided
feeling. Again permit me to express the
hope, that in your action You viii not be de-
tered by consideration Of the loss of num-
bers, or ihhueneed by the position of those
{ who advocate this change.
II Imight add that in the action Of all bod
] les, they tread upon uncertain ground when
, their proceedings are characterized by con-
$ structiye action. If we could aud were to
give way in this particular to the wishes of
! those desiring the change, there is no tell
) ing what the establishment OF such sprece-
c Ident might lead to. Alterations and chan
ges would multiply, and we would have at
+ our sessions an endless task to perform.
+ Aly own impression is, that while we can
d not legislate upon the subject, it is. our I'M
; peratiYe duty to give a decided expression
L Of opinion in regard TO this matter, 50 that
h hereafter, there shall be no difficulty ON this
; subject
d Perhaps it would not be amiss for me to
If ican attention to subject which has agitated
y aud enlisted to a considerable extent the
it public mind. / allude to the Licenee Law
a of our State. Some Of our brethren, emf
m nenty distinguished for their Invaluable ser
d vices in our cause, have expressed through
le the press, and in other ways. their views
lg urging the propriety Of memorialzing thl
a. Legislature for its abolishment While
Of agree with them in regard to the evil opera
r. ton and tendency Of the Law, am com
ID PEELED to differ with them in the means I,
III be employed for its abolishment. 1 am 0
the opinion that it would be inconsistent 70
IS us as an Order to pursue any course on thi
~ subject, assuming Legislative form, or re
be sembling it in the slightest degree.
rs Ours is a moral association, and its stronI
a. weapons are to be found in the beautifGI
u motto inscribed upon our banner In all O
= our actions we are to be governed by them
t, and thus actuated, we are to rely on Diyin,
re assistance and that moral suasion which tina
e motto inculcates. By these means we thinl
Sc VIC can reach public sentiment, and wher
lit that is changed, our principles shall hay
no been preserved, no rule Of moral action Vi
a 4 olated, and the desired object accomplished
ny i do not doubt, that any official action @
Sc this body favoring the views Of those alIu
of ded to, would be highly prejudicaI to tn
sss harmony of our Order, and tend to make
We obnoxious to many who are now its warmes
ur advocates. Again. we ought to be YER
ed cautious. and our proceedings should b
ut, characterised by the utmost prudence, so a
in to guard against the extremes of error an
ultraism. L would therefore suggest th
no propriety of your taking such steps on thi
his subject as will define our position and sati
elf fly the public mind.
i've In regard to the Agent and his labors,
refer you to his report, as l have not ha
lu- access to the means necessary for know
A edge of thor extent and success