Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-04
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roR rHr srrRrr or rnE AGE.

The writer Of an article on Legislative
assistance" which recently appeared in the
Esprit Of the Age" is induced again to
trespass upon the attention Of the public
The last number Of the |" Communication
contained over the signature of IT" pro
duetion on the same subject, worthy of con-
sideratiOn. Though we agree with many Of
the general reflections contained in it, yet,
when It's author goes on to enumerate to the
number Of ten, his chief objections to our
propositions, we are compelled, because not
yet convinced, to enter a modest dissent at
least to some Of those objections.
The 1st objection is, that we (the Sons
of Tsmperance) do not need assistance from
.'the strong arm of the law"
Cd, That we can, in time, stop the liquor
traAie without legislative assistance.
50. That it Is contrary to our Order to
iutcrfere with legislation.
4th. By taking steps to put down grOg-
shops by Law, we make enemies Of the grog-
sellers, and all hope Of gaining them viii be
lost.
5th. If we begin to move in this matter,
candidates will endeavor to secure our infu-
ence, and we win become political party.
9Th. The people have not yet complained
of the license law; and if others can bear
it, it is not 50 great grievance to US as to
require the risk Of our great enterprise, in
removing it.
9TH. We have no right to inform Others
what laws are burdensOme 10 them, and pc
titiOn for their repeal, for the sake Of others
while the laws do not oppress us a
Sth. II the license law is an evil, publi'
opinion viii soon be enlightened on the sub
ject, and the matter will regulate itself.
9th. As individuals and as body, vi
ought to have confidence IN the wisdom ani
patriotism Of the Legislature, sufficient To- leay
public concerns TO its care.
10th. ANY change in our objects and th
means wc employ, will be disastrous.
In our last We argued, though not pei
haps 80 forcibly as to strike the brothers Al
tentiOn, that " Legislative assistance I" is M
rcessary to perfect the Temperance Reform.--
ThOugh our Order may be able to stan
without that assistance-yet, if given to th
extent we ask, it will accelerate our prOgre'
and make our position more secure.
Oar artele was intended mainly to shov
that petitioning for such assistance would N
interfere With legislation !" at least, n,
in manner @eOatv@y to our 0rder," " ,
to the rights Of others. ssaa ~
The 3rd dbjeeisa Is included in our q
tice Of the LIST. q asaag q
As for the retailers, there are many vi
think themselves driven to the business
make living alledGag that others won
sell Il they did not. Against them we {
terrain no malice. They are willing for q
license law to be repealed. But the rest
those Who gloat over the destruction VIII
they make.-WhO fawn upon the inebri
until his last cent IS gone, and then K
him besotted out Of dOOrs-any profess
of friendship from them is hypocrisy am
lie. We would as soon think of maxim
compromise with hell aal -
We hope the brother Is mistaken in
5th objection. Such result might b
death blow to our cause. II il would b
pen in the ease supposed, we fear It wo
happen in any ease. But We again refe
our last, where we anticipate "fears /
might arise IN the minds Of some. " aa
To the 9Th, we say that previous to Is
Give remember sright) any body could
tail without q license The present res
tion was then enacted; and in some G.
ties, though no petitions have been 90
up, the people, we believe, desire fur
restrictions. Asan evidence Of it, the j
istrasy have several times shown dis
ton, to impose them. AS for our Order
existence Is due to the fact that we ca
endure grievances to which others subm
among which, to remoye the retailing sy
I've win after sh0H) is a chief part d
great enterprise"
5th. We inform others Of what Gus
burden them, whenever we persuade me
join our ranks. g Petition for repeal
have. noticed Our Order is establ
" for The sake Of others 2 as well as d
selves; and the liquor law does Oppres
9Th; In some counties public opinion
regards the icense. law as an evil, an
wish for such . law as will LET tie n
regulate itself, In those eounfies.
9th. y Is cur eon6denee N The, Le
ture that makes rs call On that body
slstanees iR matters connected With the
llc welfare. How does Bro. I. s.ga
cile with bis confdenoe in IawsmakerI
putting down by moral means what has
licensed by them 7 The fact is, il
duty Of all Reformers, as Miss Dix hal
in the case Of the insane, to convey