Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-03

HUMBUG AND CANT. 1t would be much easier
task, fear, 10 point out things which humbugs
than by any research, even the most digent, to dis
cover anything which is not. Barnum is moi the only
humbugger, nor are those whose sums, ranging from
$40 TO 1913 CENTS have gone fill his Golfers the only
humbHggees. There is hardy-nay, there is never
time when some claPtrap movement does not occu-
pY the public attention, when some man or body Of
do not endeavor to pass themselves off for more
than they are worth mentally and morally. Nineteen
twentieths OF the so-called reform " movements of
the day are just so many egregious and unmitgated
shams. The newest and prominent of these shams
is known the Maine Liquor Law. There can be
little doubt but the total avoidance of sprituous q-
uors as beverage is consummation devoutly to be
wshed,-so is general piety and church going but
who, in these days, unless ambitious of the reputa
ton OF bigot fool, would pass laws for the pur-
pose of making men pious by Statute. Temperance
is purely matter of moral obligation and is no more
within the legitimate province of legal compulsion
than piety, yet this Maine law would convert the
State into gigantic Division of the Sons of Temp
erance, not enforcing Temperance by moral suasion
and voluntary pledges, but compelling it under the
pains and penalties of the law This humbug is hav-
ing every thing its own way in the Eastern States,
and making strong efforts in of the Middle and
Western. Some would even wish see it in force
here. Now we have noticed the names of those who
flourish so big in connection with this movement
North. They are hunbugs, all of them. They at
tack wiser and better men than themselves because
not willing to go so far and pronounce any who
refuses not only to sign the pledge on his own
W OtnSIS W DIS tOIdIIy UNIV
thy of public respect or private confidence.
This humbug is gotten up by designing men, who
either have some sinister purpose 10 effect, de-
sirous of little petty notorety: By the way, all
intoxicating drinks are themselves humbugs-nost
arrant humbugs. and cheats. They misrepresent
ihings-they give false coloring to events-they
cause man while under it's influence, otherwise
than his sober good sense would dictate nd fair
and proper effort should be spared that might have
tendency to restrain, if abolish their use; but
let US have political hobbies-no compulsory piety.
The cant OF the christian who bellies the name
of the reforner who only seeks notoriety-ofthe poll
tician who praises honesty while he blows his own
rumpet-of the abolitioDs who feels for every negro,
but the one starving at his own door-of the purity
which visits upon Questionable sinners all the holy
horrors which had been suspended over the head of
more favored iniquity, leads exclaim " vanity
Of vanites; all is vanity. Every paper We pick up
is full of proceedngs-some cantiug -sone
rapidly exploding humbug. We are dreadfully tired
of Enthusiastically and in fear that readers
should already have come to the conclusion that this
article is humbug, we cut it short off, merely re-
marking in conclusion, tina the greatest of humbugs
of all the woman's rights conventions, since
no body denies their right to do just they please,
and all masculine mankind is their most obedient,
humble servant. Wilmington Journal.