Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-17
Original parttg.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
WHO ARE FRIENDLY TO THE
"CAJSE1"

CAUSEI"
In answering this question, we are
ready to say that AL Ministers, all Ded-
cons, and all consistent members of the
various churches are its friends. This,
would be the answer of any charitable
man, for, 70 such conclusion, he would
be irresistibly led. But is such the true
state Of the cases Are all, who profess
to know Christ in the forgiveness Of
their sins, friendly to the cause of Tenn
perance2 Are they using every means
in their power TO propagate IFS principles
and persuade men to be benefited by its
hallowed inhuences3 Do they say TO the
world by their example, that, the use
Of ardent spirits as beverage, is moral
ly wrong, and inconsistent with the will
Of Heaven9 A dialogue, which took
place between two church members, not
long since, at protracted meeting, will
serve as an answer to these interrogato-
ries. 1t was in the month Of August,
soon after our State election among the
large concourse of people, that were as
sembling at the house of worship, were
two men, one Of whom we shall call
neighbor Jones'" the other 4" friend
Smith" The Dialogue commenced as
follows:
Jones-Goo6 morning, friend Smith,
have you heard from the State elections,
and can you tell US who is TO be our next
GovernoTI
Smith-Nothing definite, but, it is gen.
orally believed, that Reid is elected.
Jones-Glorious news indeed for the
Democracy, just as love 10 hear. N.
Carolina has now, fairly redeemed heI
chsl acter as State, and but for the
Slavery Question, (now being agitated BY
Congress) and the Sons of Temperance
we should have nothing TO fear.
S1path-lndeed, tEiend Jones, we have
reasOus to fear that the Slavery Question
wall end in serious consequences, but as
for the Sons OF Temperance. / can safe
Ky say sir, that they aspire 10 more no
BILE cad, than to arouse any thing like &
spirit OF division in the minds Of men
this 1 afirm upon the ground, that am Z
SOa myself and am well acquainted with
the rules and usages Of the Order; bu
pray 0eighbor Jones, tell us how yor
believe the Sons Of Temperance, cal
prove an injury to us as people.
Jones-Sir, in the first place, it take
away mans privileges, tdbe Son b
is thea prohibited from the use Of arden
spirits entirely, he can neither make
buy, sell, cor use as beverage.
Smitk-True, every word Of it.
Jones-In the second place, | don
like the Order because it had its origin ;
the NORTH; it was in my opinion, gotte
up by those tricky Yankees, clothed in
garb Of benevOLence, and sent South fc
no other purpose than TO expedite I'll
abolition Of Slavery, and in the thil
place you are so despotic in your pril
ciples. II you had the power, you wou
compel every man, whe has an orchal
to cut down his trees, and tear down
DistiLleTies, as has beea shown by Il
town Commissioners, ia refusing to gra
License to retail spirits in the City Of
leigh.
GmitA-hre these your objections
our Order;
Jones-Yes, and pretty good ones tc
iSmitk-I am sorry to see, neighb
Jones, that you have been SO strange
misled, but, though you have form
strong prejudices against the Order, y
If you listen to reason, l think you m
YET become Son.
JoneS-.No sir-ee.
Smith-Well, lei US look to your
iections. If am not mistaken you S
ait takes away mans rights as a C
zen;'' to this agIee, so far as it conce
the use Of liquor, but does it take aw
any other right. We know that n
is prohibited from the use Of liquor, t
is the grand object in view, viz: TO mi
moderate drinkers and drnnkardS SO
men. What would be the use Of a Tt
perance Society or a Society of any ki
If We failed TO carry out the desi
for which it was intended? OF v
avail would be the Constitution of
State, If we conclude our rights
invaded, because. we are prohibited Fl
committing murder2 Indeed, neigh
j., It you advocate that doctrine,
must admit, that, we are all slaves,
cause, our laws prohibit US from doin
we please, though it cost the dow
ol our iellow-men. Your second oh
ton was, "that the Order had its OF
at the NORTH" and was used as
S chine by the Abolitionist to the ema
patton OF slave. This in effect, is sa
N that all Who belong to the Order are