Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-04-28
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
AN APPEAL.

1eAo" rlIlzensI we have ep0aGA3 ~"
OF Iempeance, ana advanced thus Tar, N glory
and triumph over the many impediments which
our opporents have thrown in our way; aided
as we have been by the potent weapon of moral
suasion. But there is an impeachment, a legal
impedimnt, which obstructs the progress of
moral sWsion, and therefore impedes the ad-
vancemelt of our glorious cause. The question
now arise, shall we remain silent and ignobly
yield ourassent to thet legal impeachment, the
license system, by means of which we are un-
justly ta&d for the support of pauperism and
crime, Which ems mates from the grog-shops of
our BELOVED State or like our noble and repub-
lican ancestors, rebel against the avariclous
grasp of an unrelenting tyraat, and declare
ourselves to be free ! We, like them, do choose
the latter, and humbly appeal to all freemen TO
sustain US in this our laudable undertaking.
The King, to whom our State is now subject, is
more tyrannical than King George himself, or
any other King that ever swayed q sceptre; !
but nevertheless he stiG sits on his CORY throne,
clothed as he is, with infamy and with shame (:
before which thousands bow down and worship
in the dust, although they call themselves free
men. There are several questions to be asked
in relation to legislatihg upon the liquor traffic
the most important of which have been answer
ed by the Judges of the highest tribunal in the
land. The questions Ore these: Is it constitu-
tional9 is it just2 is 1t right! Every Judge Of
the Supreme Court of the United States has deci
ded that it is constitutional tolegislate upon this
Internal traffic. Who then can deny that it il
constitutional wha: demagogue SO vain or self
arrogant as to pride himself possessed Of more
legal knowledge than the ablest Jurist5 of the
United States! The sober and Industrious PEG
pie of the State are taxed for the support of tn
pauperism and crime which is caused by our il
censed gfog-shops. Is this just I The peopl
are taxed to build iails and asyiums to sup
port criminals and insane persons, one-half Q
whom come from the grog-shoPs: Is thi
right No! II is anti republican. 1t is the op
preston of the many for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Q
the few. Trust not the perfdious Syren, for thrc
his treAchery Troy fell. Never relax your 81
forts nor withheld your seige, until you are COZ
WINGED that such things are just, right and hu
name. Can it be just, right or humane to i
galize one person to extend to another thu
} temptation which will reduce him to poverty
disease and death which he has not the NOR;
energy to resist o Sons of Temperan ce l.
81 shake off that cloak of dormant lethargy whic
has SO long hung over you, and engi"d you
selves with one more worthy OF the age IN whic
you live. Fellow-laborers in the glorious caus
of Temperance, We earnestly entreat and appe,
; to YOU in the maine of your family, your inter
est, your country and your God; and in tn
name of truth, virtue and humanity, to, stan
t by US in this all.important movement. Fellow
f citizens, your moral right and pecuniary lnteres
a are at stake, and it behooves you as freemen
g come forward and rescue them from this on
!, nipresent curse, which has SO long held its ow
, sway over many a town and hamlet within til
empires of our beautiful and beloved State
Can you, will you, fellow-citizens remain silent
II this glorious movement for the redemption
man from the vile thraldom of ruu1dom7 NJ
With that brave and generous spirit which a
|; mated the bosoms of your ancestors in Il
stormy days of the revolution, you will mar
forward to the contest, and nobly inscribe yo
II names on the side of truth, justice and huma
o ity. Where now gentlemen will you work |!
o If you work at all, your influence will eth
be on the side of humanity, your country al
a your God, or on the side of vice, perditi'
n and the devil. Noble freemen hesitate
longer, break Town the barriers which nc
IS separate US and come forth like men, and d
charge your duty like citizens, and when y
he fall, though your grave may be unmarked vi
,e storied urn or monumental marble, and naug
but the rude winds sound your requiem dlrs
as they moan through the tall grass that way
above you, the cheering light of your meri
n rious labors will shed a rich halo over your i
moments: and when the laurels of the CO
ae queror shall have faded, and the deeds of
ry renowned are forgotten, your work OF love a
,r. kindness viii be green in the memory OF
Dr. Just and treasured in the hearts Of the good.