Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-15
The Licensed GrOgshop.


"They who keep these fountains of pollution and
crime open, are sharers, to no small extent, in the
guilt which flows from them. They command the
gateway of that mighty flood which is spreading
desolation through the land, and are ehargeable
with the present and everlasting consequences, no
less than the infatuated victim who throws himself
upon the bosom of the burning torrent, and is borne
by it into the gulf of woe.'-SAMUEL SPRING.
While our honorable Legislature is in the
pursuit of those laudable objects conducive
to the welfare of their constituents and the
commonwealth, it is to be earnestly hoped
that sight will not be lost of some means re-
s~trictive of the liquor traffic, that all unpre-
iudiced minds must see is daily robbing our
land of its richest intellectual worth and
mower. Whilethe subjectso of Common Schools
and Internal Improvements must claim the
attention of the next Legislature, and other
matters of a similar nature, apart from the
usual political and party questions, may not
J the temperance community, and the friends
of order and good morals confidently hope
to hear the cheering news that a law has been
l passed abolishing the present License Law,
l or at least causing it to be so changed as to
render itmore effective in restraining the traf-
4 fc in ardent spirits? Could they but be per-
9 suaded that they, by their inactivity upon
" this matter, were keeping these " fountains of
" pollution and crime open, and are sharers, to
no small extent, in the guilt which flows from
them" they surely could not close their ears
and shut their eyes to their duty, nor would
k they pass UNDECIDED the stern voice Of moral
IN Justice demanding the passing of a restrictive
'l law. Could they but see the changeless truth,
'e- that they indeed command the gateway of
ur that mighty food which is spreading desola-
in ton through the land, and are ehargeable
Ike with the present and everlasting consequent
lp- ces, no less than the infatuated victim who
ire throws himself upon the bosom Of the burn
ing torrent, and is borne by it into the gulf
of woe" we think that the Capitol in the
ent Getty of Oaks would ere long ring with the
ght thrilling eloquence of North Carolinians from
we Cherokee to Currituck, pleading forthe rights
of freemen, and the rehearsal of the miseries
of the liquor sellers victims would sound its
pro stirring appeals in mournful pathos along the
,osi- stony corridors Of the Capitol, pleading for
over redress!
the The License Law, as it now exists, is a de-
fective one it is defective in restraining the
ling consumption of ardent spirits, in fact we arc
rose greatly mistaken if it does not directly favor
t the the use of the article especially by the poorer
d a class Of white people and also among slaves
on it is defective as a means Of Revenue-that i
ears is defective in every part none will deny.
nina Perhaps it would be considered an arbitra
de- ry law, were the Legislature to pass an AZ
of q abolishing the traffic IN toto, within the boz
ders of our State. Perhaps it would be $
- .1.1 D.lo-, 4l,o HTo.Do I io,1or ~
ever would prove too unsavory for the majority
). we citizens in the cold North" Perhaps mar
{ our would object to it because Of the land of i
tions. birth, but because a Mercer is grown nor
in the of Mason and Dixon's line is no evidence tn
|, the it is not a good potatoe indeed it is not!
The Now, to our mind there can be no objectio
while urged against a Law upon this point slmll
- -uUufd obtt
to a law saying that no person should sell
france quantities less than fifteen gallons, unless
)roach license was obtained? Who would object
50 a License being Withheld from any person, u
Il par less the claimant could produce a petit
,nfict, from a majority ofthe heads of families in
uarter village praying for such an establishment,
erings II IN the county, from a similar majority (
ans to tanned within a circuit of five miles arou
r war him?
DIS are A law with such provisions, as those h
ion.- ted at, is a republican one, and cannot be {
e oar, jected to if majority of citizens in any
Hea- cality wish one Of these fountains of poll
o%reyer ton and crime" opened in their midst to p
n bo- son them and their children with its fatal
lection, why in the name Of common sen
re an let them have it. But on the other hand,
noun another village or neighborhood does not wa
bat such an establishment IN their midst, in t
lightly name OF all that is reasonable don't force
upon them. =