Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-09

OF promise. How many hearts have
been gladdened, how many cheeks have {
been refreshened with joy, how many
eyes Of sorrow grown bright, al the COM
ing of the new luminary, over whose
rising the guardian angels Of mans hap
piness shout jubilee.
When we look back to what has been
accomplished in our own country through
the efficient organization OF that great
brotherhood, the Sons OF TEMPERANCE,
the heart Of the philanthropist and pa
triot is made to swell with grateful emo
tons; and hope like a beacon light ris.
ing over the shattered wrecks that be-
strew the bosom of a storm-ridden ocean, |
and raises the prospect OF speedy de-
livery from the maddened waves that
have long threatened 10 engulph the
harmony and peace Of society in one
common vortex Of hopeless ruin. With !
in the brief period of ten years the great
Temperance Reformation has accom-
plished towards moral reformation
more for the amelioration Of down-trod-
den hnmanity-in our own country, than
in all preceding time from. the organiza-
tion Of our great and glorious Repub-
lie. 1t has succeeded in discountenan-
cling false and pernicious etiquette, by
removing from the side-board of the fash
ionable circle, the sparkling and decep-
tive temptation to dissipation. 1t has
succeeded in removing inebriety from
; high places. 1t has succeeded in arres-
| ting the downward tendency of thou
sands Of unfortunate victims to hopeless
ruin; and of turning their Footsteps
from drunkenness and vice, 10 morality
and religion. II has succeeded in re-
} kindling the pure fires Of love ahd af-
2 fection upon the desecrated affairs of the
: domestic circle, and Of making home
4 happy TO families long estranged by
e blighting discord. The burning tear o.
# despair has been turned into gratefu
# tribute of affection-the pallid cheek re-
!, colored with the bloom of youthful fresh
d ness, and the blighted hopes and antici
: pations of loves young dream, that hac
5, been driven from the hearts sacred fame
5 like the melancholy dove from its mate
,f less nest, have been wooed hack from
= this long and dreary banishment, Il
n rest in quiet through the lapse Of comm,
Ie years. The influence of this great Tenn
Is perance brotherhood-th swelling ar
le my of practical ptilanthropsts-is fel
N and seen not only along the privat
I'd walks Of life. but is telling upon the des
b tiny Of a mighty nation. Ii is purgin
I'd the political arena of its vile corrup
IS, tions-it is unclogging the wheels {
et science and Of learning-it is buildin
ne up schools, academies and colleges, fror
We the city TO the waste places-it is d.
of populating our prisons, and banishin
l. from the land, the hangman and III
lg galIows. AS Heaven is higher tina
IT. earth-as time is out-measured by etc
If nity-so do all other schemes OF huma
all origin dwihdle into insignifcance whe
of contrasted with the moral sublimity
lat this great cause.
d Let US onward, then, in our glonol
n. career of freedom-lreedom not on
u from the shackles of political oppressio
IN. but social, moral freedom-until man
las redeemed from the degradation Of ign
IN rance and folly and crime, and attai
es, that lofty eminence in the scale of beil
he FOR which he was designed by his &c
&c Being a common cause.-The cause
on humanity-who should not feel an int
am rest in its complete and final trump
II 1t is a contest between virtue and viz
gh happiness and misery. in which there
no neutral ground. Activity is the SC
ne, Of duty. Then, on, brother on the gui
las dian angel that attends the virtuous a
ln- the good, with her snow-white bann
air. of g Love Purity and Fidelity unfurlt
by beckons you to the charge If you q
ion victorious in the struggle, no warrio
hat chaplet may adorn your brow-Lo 10
hosannahs fall upon your ear,-but Il
ese heartfelt JOY and fulness OF satisfactl
lno will be yours, that all of earth's veal
the pageantry and power can never purcha
lor- And when you fall, though your gra
yer may be unmarked with storied urn
ov- monumental marble, and noughl bat
ivil rude winds sound your requiem dirge,
eak they moan through the tall grass t
has waves above you. the cheering light
, OF your meritorious labors. will she'd a r
law halo over your last moments and wi
ried the laurels Of the conquerer shall h;
or faded, and the deeds of the renowl
G Of are forgotten, your work of love +;
usy kindness will be green in the mem
ime of the just, and treasured in the heart
zon, the good.
such -.
'wn- From the Olive Branch.
,u" A TRUE STORY.