Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-07
ORR ORDER

OUR ORDER
At no time since the introduction of the Or
der Of the Sons of Temperance IN North Car
DINA, has it occupied a more commanding po-
or been in a more prosperous situation,
than at this day. For the past twelve or eigh-
teen months its history has been a continued
series of triumph and gratifying results. 1t
has extended from the mountains to the sea-
board, until now there is scarcely a town, vii
lage or neighborhood in the whole length and
breadth of the State, where the banner of
{" Love, Purity and Fidelity" is Lot reared,
and the benign principles Of Temperance and
Benevolence difused among the people.
But while we have reason to be grati6ed
at the success of our cause.-the cause of
all mankind-candor compels. us also to ad-
init, that at no time has it had to combat stron-
ger prejudices, or met with more determined
opposition, than with which it is now threat
encd. Upon the manner, therefore, in which
We shall discharge the duties we owe to the
cause and to the country, der ends the perpe-
tuity of our glorious institution. If we meet
the prejudices and opposition which assail us,
in a proper spirit-exhibiting by our rectitude
of purpose and singleness of design, that our
only object is to rid our country of the foul
stain of intemperance-we will inevitably O
vercome them both, and warmly enlist those
who honestly entertain them in our behalf
But If, on the contrary, We assume a Dictator
al air and attempt to prescribe all who do not
agree with us, or to prosecute and abuse those
who question the purity of our purpose, our
prosperity viii be retarded, and many bitter
and Incorporating enemies will be made.
whereas, a more mild and characteristic course
would have resulted in winning them over to
us.
There are many, doubtless, whose opposi.
ton springs from motives of selfinterest-whc
oppose the Order, because it seeks to put down
a business which has been of p~ecuniary adj
vantage to them. There are others who. from
Wiekedness of heart, decry our Order as the,
do all other institutions having the glory O
God and the amelioration of the condition O
our fellow men, in view. From these classe.
we have nothing to fear. Their opposition and
malice will do more to exalt our cause in the
minds of the good and virtuous of the commu
nifty, than even our own best efforts. But i
is evident there are many who honestly lool
upon us with distrust, and who conscientious,
entertain fears that the Order win be pcrver
ted to purposes other than those legitimatel,
contemplated in our organization. To remov,
-
these misapprehensions and quiet these fears
thus honestly entertained, should be the dut'
of every Son Of Temperance-not by railerr
or denunciation, but by a strict adherence t
our principles, and by scrupulously guardin!
, against any and every departure from tn
course Of action designed by the trainers Q
our noble ediice whose proud columns towe
aloft as one of the grandest memorials of A
! merican benevolence and philanthropy,
Let us then EUc down, by exemplary an
consistent action, all these barriers to our CON
plete triumph. Let us endeavor to conyic
D them by reason and argument, as well as b
our uniform appliance of the force of mors
s~uasion, that our ends, our aims, our only d.
> sign is, to persuade cur felIow-men to fire.
. themselves from the shackles of the fell tyran
: Alcohol-and let US proudly point to o.
. heayen-born institution as the refuge in whic
7 they will be free from the all-pervading d,
stroyer.