Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-04
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE.


When we take a view of the present position
of the Temperance cause in the world-theh high
and commanding attitude it has assumed, the po-
tent influence it exerts for good upon communi-
ties, the marked advances it has gained over err
ror, ignorance, appetite and crime,-and then
look back for the brief space Of a quarter of a
century, instead of its friends seeing any thing
to discourage them from putting forth their
energies for still greater achievements, there Is
every thing to stimulate them to renewed dill
gence in this glorious enterprise. A few years
ago. the decanter and the bottle were deemed
as necessary in every household as the mealtub
and the meat-barrel; it was the constant COM
panion of the traveller; the universal panaeea OF
the afflicted the sustainer of the robust and
athletic; the solace of the poor; the comfort
and luxury of the rich-the "one thing need
full to every class and condition of mankind.
Then, few had the boldness to declaim against
its moderate use. The pulpit was silent upon
the subject, except now and then, in general
terms to denounce the sin of drunkenness nos0r
a large majority of the Churches regard its com
mon use ss an evil, and deprecate its indulgence
as a fearful and growing habit leading almost in
evitably to excess. Then, it was the unvarying
mark of hospitality and kindness and its intro
duction the universal salutation with which visi
tors were welcomed noto, very few sideboardi
contain it, and fewer still disgorge it on the ap
pearance Of a friend. Then, it was deemed in
dispensable at all political, neighborhood or so
cial gatherings; nor, while at the former it i
too commonly found, yet at the two latter, it
s~paringly INDUCED in or discountenanced alto
gether. To sum up all in a few words, we ma,
say that a great, an astonishing change in pub
lie opinion upon the subject has taken place
and Alcohol at this day possesses not half tn
control over the affections and sympathies of tn
people it did a few years ago.
The inquiry then arises, through whose ager
ey has this reformation been accomplished n
other answer can be truly given, thar that it ha
heen through the influence of Temperance oil
CARNATIONS. The public mind has been arouse
from its lethargic stupor by the light which ha
been cast upon this subject through the mediur
of Temperance publicationsan md associated actio
upon the hearts and judgments of the people,
! Public sentiment has been brought to see an
| feel its enormities, and once aroused, the spir
E of opposition to its having the mastery has cor
tinued to spread, and grow, and increase, unit
in some portions it is in the ascendant. In Vie
of these gratifying results, then, have the friend
1 of Temperance any real cause to be dishearteI
ed; but on the contrary, is there not every thin
r to encourage them TO perseyere in their labor
love, until the world shall stand before then
u redeemed, regenerated and disenthralled !" fro
e the shackles of Intemperance, which has so loE
enslaved and debased the nations of the eartl
Yea, verilyl Courage, then, brothersl II
work we have undertaken is an herculean one
it cannot be effected in a day or year-but tn
l. it viii eventually triumph, is as sure and ce
tain as that Truth ii" immutable and might
n and must prevail"