Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-17
Voice of the Press.

So far as the Press OF the State has given
expression to their sentiments concerning the
" Memorial" against the present Liquor Lii
law of the State, it is tarorab1e to the
proposition ofsubmitting the question to the
People. The Tarboro' ~Southerner says:
As for our own part we are in favor of
abolishinG the present License system, or
adopting one more stringent, as for instance,
that no person shall have license, unless a
majority of the heads of families within FIVE
miles assent thereto. We have neither time
nor space to discuss the matter now, bat we
shall do SO in a week or two"
The Warrenton News gives in its adhesion
to the fairness and justice of the proposition
of submitting the matter to the people; but
we have mislaid the paper, and canno there
fore quoted its exact language.
And even the organ of the antitemperance
party endorses the correctness of thus dis
posing of the matter, in the following Ian
guage:
We notice in the esprit of the Age" under
date of w ednesday 3rd inst, a proposition of
the Order of Sons to instruct our present Leg
~islature to enact a Law,-the Maine Liquor
Law, or something similar that plans are
laid to procure signatures to be presented
the memorials in a body on the 10Th ofDecem-
Der next. We would humbly propose to oul
LEGISLATURE, as there is not time for a countel
instruction; to take no action on said Memoir
ials. But if meddling with politics is prede
termined with the Order of Sons of Temper
ance ESQ called( and the Legislature must takt
some action on or in behalf of the Order Q
Sons; that they, the Legislature, act fairl.
with their constituents, and pass a resolution
referring the subject proposed by the Order
ofSonsto the people, the lawful voters through
out the State, instead of women and children
to reject or endorse the object or principle
couched in said instructions or memorial
that may be presented the Legislature. Thi
would, In our judgement. be more cOngenia
with our republican institutions. Let the I'D
jOrity Rule, give the people a chance to spea
out their sentiments through the ballot boz
and we submit to their decision, let it be fo
or against the memorial; otherwise rattle
than to submit to a reckless minority we wOul
prefer to sacrifice our property, our lives. on
all in defense of our rights and our libertie
so dearly obtained by our fathers, and qua
f anteed to US as the richest and most gloriou
Of all earthly treasures.
There are some Misrepresentation in I'll
dOONG; NIIC1 VIC WOutA de OASO.
is not designed that the present Legislator
should enacs a law"-but simply frame a bi
g to be Submitted to the people; neither is tt
Maine Law asked for, either now or h~ereafte
We do not pretend to INSTRUCT the Legisl
e ture, but humbly pray for the right to let Il
e people protect themselves from the evils
is the traffic nor do we intend "medling Wi
politics." The balance of the article we e
n dorse, soul and body. LET the MAORI
rule" say we; I" give the people a chance
speak out their sentiments through the ball
box, and we submit to their decision, let it
ct for or against the memorial" That is G,
doctrine precisely, and We award our opp
P nent all honor for the frank and manly vie,
he submits upon the subject.