Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-14
BEHIND THE AGE.

manifested by certain members Of our late Leg |
stature towards our Order, was in striking con-
trast with the spirit Of philanthropy which has
been regarded as the browning glory of the
present age. 1t has been the boast of the
nineteenth century, that it is an era of reform
and improvement, in the moral, mental, phys
Eical and social relations Of man that the dark
clouds of error. superstition, prejudice and ig-
~norance which has SO long shut out the sun
light of benevoIencc and science, were being
dispelled; and that se who live in the full-tide
light of this day of religious and governmental
liberty, have just cause to congratulate our
selves for escape from that thraldom which
our forefathers ignorantly endured. But how
strong tho contradiction of this boosted progress,
when the iron pen of history records the unre-
%lenting persecution which some Legislators man.
Tested, in the middle of this yaunted age, to-
wards an institution which its worst enemies
admit has done incalcnlable service to the ma
ton, and whose legitimate objects, if carried
to a successful issue, will do more towards re-
moving the foulest stain upon her national es-
cutcheon, than perhaps all other human agen-
cies combined.
In alluding to this subject, it is not our pur-
pose to deal in personalities or to criminate
those who saw proper to imputc to US unworthy
and improper notions. We are willing to be.
: lieve, and for the honor of our State we dc
: hope, that they have been misled by those in
terested in perpetuating the use Of, and traffic
-
If in, alcoholic liquors; and that when they shall
is better understand the nature and objects o
our Order, they will, as true philal thropists
~retract their aspersions and array themselve
on the side of suffering humanity. 1t is GU
design, therefore, in referring to this matter
to assure them ofour loyalty to our countr
and he. laws; that we seek to maintain til
{ latter in their supremacy, and to bring fror
their obsolete obscurity those salutary provi
ions which our statute books provide again.
< the federation of crime and oppression in ii
land. Can he be a worse citizen who seel
to do this Should such an effort place an
man, or set of men, under the ban of pr
scription-to be denounced and derided-ay
to be Observation-Disclosures of their dew
ton to law and order ?
We have been assailed, because, forsoot
we have raised our voice against the %iniquito
ke and abominable system of treating at electio
W. because we have undeavored to array Il
ar popular sentiment of an enlightened and mo
- al community, against the practice Of pollutil
ou' the sacred right of franchise, the cost of bio
" and treasure, and of prostituting it to the V;
. ne ola drink of vile whiskey. g Who is ther
that will advocate the continuance of Il
cursed system? If any speak, for him ha
y zee offended" 1t is true we have endeagor
to discountenance and bring it into disnse |
h0c have we cndeavored to accomplish 1T
Not by asking the enactment of statutory
+, to crecs and penalties for its abrogation-not
les. appealing to Legislative aid fer its ~suppressi
ives but by ar pealing to candidates and electors
ere abandon the custom, and withdrawing
APP countenance and support from those who
ices dulge in it. Is there any thing morally or
'eh- litically culpable in this? Do not poltici
heo speak out boldly concerning the political err
gan of candidates--and are not we, who are f
; o. American citizens, to be allowed the priyil
ouf of speaking our sentiments concerning a mt
'nc- leprosy which, with cancerous malienity, is
Z tering not only or the body polite, but is
and rying disease and death into every dome
'Ieat Preside Is such an Interference to be con
be- cred high treason.
6 to In endeayorinp to correct this evil. We
only the appliances of moral suasion and
treaty. We appeal to men BY their love
the their fellow, by their regard for the perpet
of our ~blood-bought privileges, to frown
'ne disrepute this odious system-and if bar
menus we may succeed, shall we not rather des
the appreciation and praise of our fellow
zens, than their obloquy and abuse? Is t
a man so lost to all sense of honor who W
publicly proclaim, as a merit, that he
copy his scat in the legislative halls of the Statc
lation the degrading influence of the bottle ? If
harles then, let candidates and people unite in
J" 1t signing the custom TO a dishonorable g
under never to be revived.
and