Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-25
A WITNESS.
WI1KEsBoRo' July 10th, 1851.

Bro. GoRMAElOn the morning of the 4th,
our quiet little village was early aroused by fir
ing of guns, ringing of bells, &c, " initiating"
the annual return of our independence morn"
In accordance with previous notice, our Diyis-
ion met at their room at half past II o'clock,
formed a procession on main street, where we
were joined by quite an imposing delegation of
the Ladies' of our Village and surrounding coun-
try. We marched to the C. H., when the ex-
e~rcises were opened by singing our Ode
PRAYER bv our Chaplain, Rev. James Purvey,
after which, DR.. R. F. Hackett read the "De-
c~laration Of Independence" Bro. C. C. Hack
EFT, from the Jonesville Division, was then in
troduced to the Division, and though unexpect-
edly called upon-he improved the time very
aptly and clearly, pointing out the propriety of
employing our national anniversary in concert
ing planSfor removing those national evils and
vices which so much prevent the blessings and
privileges achieved by our fore-fathers and still
perpetuated to us by a kind Providence e.
After Bro. H conclu led, the following Paro-
DIV on the Declaration of Independence was
| offered by a member of our Division, and pass
ed by reclamation, after which the meeting adj
iourned.
When in the course of human events it be-
comes necessary for one people to dissolve the
social bands which have connected them with
another, and assume, &c. Gas in the original
with slight variations.)
The history of King Alcohol is a history of
repeated injuries-usurpations-and crimes
ali having in direct object, the establishment Of
an absolute tyranny over the moral, civil and
religious rights of the people of these United
States. To prove this, let facts be submitted
to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws the most
wholesome and necessary, enacted for the pub
lie good.
He has forbidden our legislature to passlaw.
of immediate and pressing Importance. liz
has refused to have other laws passed for tbs
accommodation of large districts of people
unless those people would relinquish the RICH
of 9 sociql or0onizati0n'- right inestimabtett
: them, but terribly formidable to his emissaries
He has called together bacchanalian Assem-
J blies at places, unusual, uncomfortable an,
\ distant from the restraint OF public opinion, TO
2 the sole purpose of sedueing them into a CON
7 pliance with his measures.
He has perplexed representative bodies re
peatedly, for opposing, with manly tirmnes
: his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused to agree to any plan whereof
7 the legislative powers may put a check upo
q his usurpations-coercing them rather int
n measures calculated to extend his influence.
T, He has endeavored to destroy the popul
ton of these United States-for that purpos
introducing Laws calculated to encourage lars
< importations of foreign poisons-refusing
.e pass others calculated to discourage their il
Is p%ortation hither, and encouraging in every W:
IL their home manufacture.
~ He has obstructed the administrator of ju
" tice, BY refusing his assent to laws punishil
u the traffic in ardent spirits.
u Hehas concoctedi in foreign lands multitu
d of new beverages, and sent hither swarms
their consumers to harrass our people and c
out their substance.
He has kept among us, in spite of RENE
STRANGE, standing legions of grog-shops, cont
ry to the public good.
..y' He affected to render civil law-independe
of-aDd superior to-moral law.
EST He has combined with others TO subject
Fly to a taxation foreign to our Constitution a
WI un~acknowledged by our laws, giving his asst
:. to their pretended acts of legislation.
~ For quartering large numbers of well sup
w ed doggerieS among US. For protecting tn
J by mock trial, from punishment for any m
III ders or other offences they are the means
i~nficting upon the people.
For cOrrupting our trade with all parts
the world and imposing upon US heavy ia
without our consent.
'rtn For lettering our Liberties, opposing
ars' most salutary laws, and endeavoring to O
on turn the fundamental powers of our gov,
'me ment,
; at He has abdicated protection from our {
ceP- eminent by disregarding our welfare and v
Vllh ing warfare against every system of moral
use, provement, calculated to elevate and red
lole our citizens.
pro- He has plundercd our seas, ravaged
A'eu coasts, burnt our towns anddestroyed the
n of our people.
He is at this time transporting large ar
of foreign mercenaries to complete the W
u. of death and desolation, already begun
task circumstances of cruelty and per6dy, seal