Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-31
CHRISTIANITY AND TEMPERANCE

CHRISTIANITY AND TEMPERANCE,
ExEmPLIFIED INTHE LIFE OF GEN. TAYLOR
The citizen who has a right concep-
tion Of his own duties, and Just regard
for the great interest of our mighty re-
public, will see, in the example Of our
lamented Taylor, much TO love and ad-
mire. The vital principles, Christianity
and Temperance, which are as the lie
blood of this Nation. the observance Of
which must sustain US in our onward
path Of greatness, or the disregard sink
US in ruin more appalling than any the
world has yet witnessed,-those princi-
Piles found consistent exponent and a
noble advocate in the man whose loss
we are called on to mourn. Though a
soldier, his life was bu! perpetual per-
formance Of duty to his country Like
our Washington, he was Christian sol
dier, and, like all the Presidents to whom
the Temperance reform has given occa-
sion TO express their opinions. he was
emphatically, a Temperance President.
Like his distinguished opponent, in the
Presidential canvass, Senator Cass, and
| like his present successor, President Fill
more, he was an advocate of that cause,
which is sneered at and discouraged on
ly by the cold, the selfish, or the scottish.
Gen. Taylor is renowned throughout the
civilized world. The crowniag glory Of
his character was love for mana love
especially derived from his reverence
for the Bible, and exhibited in his high
regard for Temperance.
The example of an illustrious hero
whose life upon the tented field, had
been one of hardship AID exposure, is ar
invaluable one. To the temperance cause
that noble example and eloquent testimo
ny has been bequeathed. In his letter
written to our friend Jacob Carter, oi
this city, two years since, Gen. Taylor
SAID: 81 am myself, virtually an obser.
yer of the rules Of total abstinence, and
find my health and ability to endure
hardships, greatly increased thereby"
This issinyaluabIe testimony. 1t is so
not only from the exalted reputation oI
the distinguished hero, by whom it wa;
uttered, but it is especially so from the
peculiar hardship and out of door expo
sure, to which he was SO much and con
tinually subjected.
We have heard it intimated, thatsi
Instead Of the cold milk, or the cold wa.
ter, drank at the commencement of hi:
i sickness, he had substituted brandy, he
would not have been taken sick. But
I why brandy? II the warmth, which run
limparts, was requisite, there are hume.
rous other preparations equally ehica
cious in restoring natural warmth with
out the deleterious qualities OF the rum
poison Excitement incident to the eel
| ebration of the day, and exposure of two
hours al the monument oration, super
added to the harrassing care of Office
/ operating on the nervous and menta
! powers, rendered quiet and repose ofin
: finitely more importance than the excite
) ment which rum engenders. Gen. Tay
: Ior might have drank the liquid poison
with temporary advantage, and that ad
i vantage might with equal propriety hav'
E led to other .draughts. The same prInci
0 pie which would urge the use Of liquo
E at that precise period. would require i
D repetition, If necessary on subsequen
occasions, and that necessity Gen. Tay
n lor had too much prudence. too mucl
K manly principle TO invite. He well knew
i from life long experience, that rum
: under any circumstances, was poiso
: to be avoided that the boasted warmt
a or strength which it slaves seek, natur
Y has elsewhere and abundantly provided
:: Our lamented President has left US a nc
i BILE example. For that we honor hin
il He had seen the commanding intelleC
II brought low beneath the rum inAuenc'
IS the strong man made weak. the rich ma
IS beggared, and every virtue trampled
lie the dust. beneath the rum demons hoe
ne and he had strength of mind to shun