Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-07
BEGINNINGS AND RESULTS.

men idlu the corner stone Of the Oruef OF the
Sons Of Temperance. Doubt and difficulty
hung around their prss~pects-clouds and dark
ness shut out the future, But, to use the Ian
guage Of one of North Cardinals gifted sons,
when descanting upon the beauties and eff
cheney of our Order, how soon was all this dis
sipated, and what a bright light broke in upon
their hopes and exertions Where once there
stood but a solitary sentinel upon the ramparts,
thousands aocked around, equipped and eager
for the conflict, until now there are near four
hundred thousand under the jurisdiction Of the
National Division-and of this strong and gal
liant army, North Carolina sends from eight to
ten thousand brave and valiant hearts-who are
engaged in the moral crusade of Kidding the
world of the monster evil which aflicts hu-
mainly! Yes, thismighty legion Of American
f-reemrn-men who knosC their rights-men
who feel the improvement in their moral and
social condition, men, who, under all circnm-
stances, in veal and in woe, will dare do their
duty in this cause, despite the sneers and con-
temPtuous revilings of those who affect to be-
lieve that there is mark Of Aristocratic supe-
riority in keeping aloof from the epeHing : the
equGlszing effects of Virtue and Temperament
And what pen can describe, what imagination
can picture the extent of the joy and glad
ness which reign throughout the families of
this vast multitude Of men?
Reader, have you ever traced the course of
some majestic river, as its waters dash onward to
the sea? At first, there comes up to view,
the small, the insignificant fountain, which
sends forth its little rill, that here and there
e%nlivens the diminutive ~shrubbery as it peeps
out from the soil. As it rolls along, it catches,
ever and anon, new re-inforcements. Other
rills pour into it. Its volume and force is in
creased. Greeks and rivul Is como to its aid.
BY and by, expanded currents seek admit
lance to its column, and thus onward in its i'm
pesuous course, enlivening and making glad
} all the land around, it spreads into the broad
bosom Of the Ocean.
So too with our Order. That had its little
fountain. From Il there gushed a pure stream
though but small. Other and holder streams
have been added. Every day new acquisi.
tons have been made; and onscard, the re-
2 s~istless current rushes, to be lost in its life.
giving influence, only in that vast Ocean O
: benevolence and good viii to man, whose wa
: tiers have been touched and purified by til,
finger of 0~mnipotencei
And are we asked for arguments to max
our cause? They are around and about us
They can be seen-they can be felt-the,
can be comprehended by all. They are plain
! direct, palpable, unanswerable arguments :
They are such arguments as ask no aid iron
the empty trappings of sophistry or the gau
dy decorations Of oratory. The very hum
blest of the supporters of this cause can gathe
ample weapon and armour for its defence
from amongst the melancholy trophies whic
cover the camp-feld of its enemies: and tn
: most exalted intellect amongst its v~otarie:
would seek in vain elsewhere for argument
so forcible and overpowering as those whic
are inscribed upon the banners, and iIIustrs
9 ted in the life and character of its tradurers
Ali it is too late now for the enemies of thi
" cause to expect efficient aid from ridicul
and rpproach! They have been met upo
! every field of argument and reason, and bee
signallg repulsed. Every drunkard who writhe
/ under the lash of Intemperance, is but anotl
% er argument, standing out in bold relief,
gainst the opponents of this cause. Ever
err widow and helpless orphan, who SILVER b,
meath the chilling blasts of penury and bes
I'd upon their countenances the marks Of sorro'
c. and distress, are but so many moving, Twin
breathing. irrefutable arguments in defenc
es of this great cause? In the mouths of sue
ne i'm every sigh which they breathe-in ev
~ ry pang which they feel-are tongues who
eloquent appeals none but the fend can su
c~essfulIv resist-from which none but the fiji
ty heart can turn with GOODNESS and indife
ence To the sneerer and capfious caveIle
we scorn a reply. His client, the bottle, h
a warmer heart than he, and is as amply cap
citated to hear with calmness the voice of re
". son, and consider with compassion the appe
of of humanity.
we To those, however, who are willing to be-
r a the warnings of experience-to those who a
nd so unfortunate as from any cause to have co
tracted habits Of intemperance-to those W
OF have seen brother, father, child or friend f
re- a victim to its ravages-to those who ha
IN suffered in body. mind or estate from
ce, blighting effects-to those who have escap
ne its IRON grasp and are reaching forth for
ne newed strength and fresh en- engagement
Or sustain them under their noble resolution
ea- those who have hearts to feel for the suf;
leh ing and degradation of their felIow-men, a
are sincere and earnest in the search
ous means to suceor and relieve them-to the
a