Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-01

the assurance that our efforts, so strange
y falling oftentimes of the effect We had
anticipated in our immediate sphere,
have gone 10 the behoof Of the whole
Instead of raising a part much, they
have raised the whole a little.
In estimating our recourse for the
tuture prosecution Of this work, our
| firmest reliance is one that has attracted |
as yet only share Of the attention which |
/ it deserves. And it is one which espe-
cially shows the need Of broad and COM
prehen$ive forecast and Of patient contin- |
uance in this enterprise. Our hope lies
among the young. Ir them is committed |
ia US the shaping Of the world that is TO
be. The generation that now Is. labors
under the chronic malady Of Intempe
renee. Our inbred notions. flowing into
US from the past, are nature that will
not be wholly put down. We in this
! generation are little better than grog-a
4 mixture of the old custom and the new
d species of half breeds between tip
pling and temperance. We know the
better way, and approve i; but the taint
is in US OF old notions and habits, that.
like law in the members, wars against
: the law of our mind, AMI half spoils uS
!, yet. We have touched, tasted, handled,
: been famiIialiSed with these pernicious
customs and usages, and with their ef-
, iecis, tilt our sensibilities are blunted.-
, We shall never feel clearly and fully
i how fearful thing it is 10 besot the soul
with drink We can only in part deIiv-
] er ourselves from the delusioD> which
e we have inherited. The traffic, fnr
example condemn it as we MAYS
5 still 10 US privileged, almost sacred,
i institution. Seen to be totally evil and
mischiey yous-eloquen denounced a.
5 the fountain Of cline and shame and wo
i we of this generation nevertheless
II give ii free course. We shruk from as
= ailing tive .eoyer before its clamouos
n champions-fieSAs still upon it in our
eyes something of the regal alC-of sover-
eighty. 1t is that which hath and
: is embedded in all the wavs affdstne an:
Of the world. And so1he hand we liz
ID against II strikes feebly. as If in awe.
$. This.let US remember. is the transition
age of great Reform, and presents th,
le features that result from the mingling o
~ that which is passing away with that wh
~ is coming. More than ever it is tn
season Of conflict less noisy than twent,
- years ago, but more earnest and decisive
We plant ourselves on the foundation
ot now. Principles meet now more int
ou mately, and everywhere try thei
strength against each other and n
I'd work is deeper, the results more stable
the victories more enduring and decisiv,
And one of our largest hopes is, tha
as the half-Spoiled generation Of the pre-.
ny ent passes away, the past will almo
y wholly go with it, and far better futur
by will come in the persons OF our children
We look 10 a purer generation. bre
'ut wholly in the sentiment aud habit
Temperance, who shall speak a purr
dialect, and not as We do, 'halt in II
Ier speech OF A.hdod. ace riding TO the la
guage of each people," Ii may be thr
er. bred, and the decision of this who
matter is wrapt up in the training of Il
ou young; and this most promising depaI
ny ment of effort, we trust Is not neglecte
leh The children of all those who, 10 any e
sen tent, about our pliniciple-even the ch
m dren OF multitudes in whom habitand a
vs. petite still master their convictions
NY righi-aIe trained to correct views. A
ana beyond these, we easily reach and m
often secure the children Of the viciol
Many an inebriate will rejoice that
boy sled into better path than his oW
lhe' In this field Of most hopeful labor
oughtto expend patient and abunda
eXertion. We do not despair of the o
nor even Of the fallen. But above /;
and lei us tuin our hearts towards the ct
In a dren. Can We not forecast little, a
the act for thirty years hence And VII
The this seed shall rIpen, tie generai
RI is thus nuriuIed will stand in relatic
the very different from ours, to the VIII
,im. matter OF Inlemperance. They will o
this il no allegiance. The chasm ol a wh
opnt generation having been OPP. ned betwt
sseS them and the ussgrs of the past &
and present, never having felt in themsei
h an the working tf evil practices, they 3,
hole be able TO look with clear eye upon
ri Of the claims and processes of Iniem
The rance, and deal with them as they
The serve.
e in There are evils which admit oi
sudden remedy. Let wrong once
and trench itself, and come into aIia
ough with appetite and interest, and
e ofsway long and universally and the {
: the must be work OF time Its evil r
may run deep and tar, and Will be found
time, ing and germinant where little suspec
ardy. Their Is no swift and easy reco'
Our from systemaiized and long-t heri,
New sin. TIE penalties will be inflic
little society must atone for its errors
ed to pre-eminently is Intemperence vic
ether this s,.rt. For some generations pa
5 the was the cherished vice Of soclety;
pfoIm while thus clasped to the heart, it inf
4 eie- lis vines into every vein of the s.