Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-31
PRINCIPLES BEFORE FASHION.

Ntmhg ~ - iNC W lAEtnIFs
PRINCIPLES BEFORE FASHION.
That the Female suffers the most from the
eEil efforts Of intcmpcrancc, there can be no
doubt As their necessary occupations con-
fine them SO closely to their homes, they are
not only the witnesses Of. but the sufferers
ffcm, many a h~eart-rerding scene, which ey-
en- the imagination can but feebly portray.
And though many Of them, awake to a sense
Of their duty, as well as their su~ferings, are
the firm friends and practisers of total absti-
hence, yet sohy are not all! Some, to their
shame be it spoken-are as apt to indulge
in quafing the deeeitful poison. as the other
sex. I would appeal to them then, as they
value a happy marriage and indulge the
hope ofrearing up a family to respect and
to be an honor. instead of a disgrace to them,
10 take a firm stand on the side of right and
duty, and let no persuasion or sneers tempt
them to abandon their principles.
A young lady of my Acquaintance, who
has bad her eyes opened to the suffering of
her sex among SOME Of her companions,
found herself on one occasion on a picnic !;
and among other Refreshments provided for
the festivity, was a quantity of champagne.
A glass was filed and passed to her, which
she politely declined TO accept. As she was
The only one, | Inn sorry to say among an
assembly Of some thirty or forty who declin-
ed the beverage, various inducements were
presented to get her to comply, or at least
TO Pretendto comply with what was termed
the fashion Of geentecl society. She was
asked if she was a member ofthat old Soeie-
ty2 Yes, she promptly replied, and a
member in good standing too.'-'0nly hold
the glass in your hand then Novel;
let me put it on your plate.' If you do,
I'll break it in pieces At last one Of the
gentlemen present made this striking remark
which | hope every female who sees thii
viii treasure up in her memory.-'that if al
the ladies would set such an example, drink
ing would soon be among the things tina
were She made the following appeal II
ono Of them, with whom she was intimately
acquainted-'Sir, after having said that
have professed what l have, and acted thu
far as ! have, should |, simply to oblige you
comply with your request and even comprC
mise my principles in the slightest degree
what would you think Of fine, and would yo
not really dcspise meF' No answer was made
yet the silence that followed, was more eli
quent than any language could haye beer
and q greater tribute to the excellence an
influence Of moral worth.
The same evening, being at a party at th
house of u distinguished Senator, as a con
pliment TO her, as she considered it, sal
Senator sent for a bottle of his Oldest an
most costly wine, and was completely amaze
when the glass was sent back untdsfed ar
uRhandled Yet being accustomed to su,
treatment. he at FIRST supposed she was
fronted at him, and FASTENED to apologiz
but still greater was his amazement VII,
told by her that she would not even smell
IL thereby she would be considered as co
plying with such a foolish and hurtful IA.
ion. On another occasion, at dinner, at
fashionable watering place, an otherwise
ccIlent and worthy gentlemen. recognize
her from another part of the table, sent |
his bottle of wine with the compliments
himself and lady, when she again declin
It, though subject to the scrutiny and
marks Of all around, remarking with an
cent, that she never drank. He, to av
the blush that mantlcd his face, remark
TO turn it off. That is one of the good b
It's you were taught at the school where ,
were educated. Yes and one l hop
never shall abandon
Such is the example that one can set
Is it worthy your imitation, young lady
Teacher-would you be ashamed Of sucl
sehOlarf Brother, would you have sue
sister 7 Father,-would you have sucI
daughter Z Mother-such children D.? F
band-such a wife I? Then do all you
to add to the number, by example, and
the encouragement they deserve.