Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-29
Legislation.


We agree with the Georgia Temperance
Banner in the affirmation that there is one,
and only one e~Fectual remedy against the pre-
vale nee of Intemperance. Let the are be
laid 1.-THE root Of this deadly upas. Seal up
the fountains whence these pernicious waters
issue. Patriotism, domestic quietude and
happiness, public virtue, and all the best and
highest interests Of society cry out trumpet
tongued, let the strong arm Of the laW be in
terposed to save Us from the cruel infections
Of this relentless scourge. Let it's imposing
edicts be invoked in behalf of the lives and
morals Of the community, its w~ell-being and
Its peace. Let the Legislature raise its au-
thoritatiye voice, and by a stern, uncomprom-
Using enactment interdict the traffic in spirit
uous liquors. Let the law-making power
brand it as q penal offence on the part Of the
citizens to vend intoxicating drinks as a bev-
erage. 1t is worse than useless longer to dis
guise and cloak this matter. An imperious
necessity calls aloud for legislation on this
subject, We are the advocates Of moral sua-
sion whenever and wherever it can be
employed with the hope of success, but the
history of the past assures us too sadly Of its
utter impotence to work out the needed Re-
form. We would rather persuade than con-
strain, VIC wouldrather importune than coerce,
but this unyielding obstinaey admonishes us,
that if We would triumph over the adverse
ry, we must prepare for vigorous warfare, and
contend with weapons of a sterner metal
Never will this stigma be effaced, never will
this reproach be removed from our character
as a people, until those haunts of vice, which
infest our communities and demoralize the
public manners, the bar-room and the dram.
shop, are closed up by the hand of power.
Go to tho vender of ardent spirits and tell
him of his responsibility in this work of de-
struction-enlarge to him on that enormous
accumulation of evil he is contributing to
swell-picture to him the Indignation and re-
entncn of the upright and v%irtuous he is
daily calling down upon his head-remind
him, if you will, of the startling penalties
which Heaven has denounced against his un-
holy pursuit. Alas it is all of no avail
avarice, the love Of gain; the passion for thrift
have conquered conscience, and e~xtinguished
every pure and generous impulse. Unsoften-
cd by your appeals, and unmoved by your
warnings, you will find him still proffering
the polsdnous chalice to the quivering lips OF
his victim, and cody counting his profits over
the melancholy ruin of Humanity. This ennis
sary o perdition, this ally and confederate Of
death, with a sordid cupidity will still drive
his unhallowed trade, even though it should
~depopulate society, and consigh myriads to the
shades ofetCrnal night.
Go tell the miserable drunkard of the dis
grace and infamy heis hoapingupon his shame;
speak to him of the pain and anguish he is
w~antonly inficting upon those whose happi-
ness has been committed to his protecting
care-sketch to him the prospect of an early
and untimely end, a blackened memory be.
hind him, andan awful eternity before-alas
it is q trite and oft-told story. lie has hearC
1t, until its sound has grown familiar to his
car, and e~nslaved by appetite, reckless of the
forfeiture of all, he turns with eager, insatia
bic desire to the foaming cup.
All experience ~indisputably proves that a
long rs this traffic is tolcratcd-as long as sc
ciety will tamoly submit to its circulation i
their midst, so Tong will I~ntemperance wit
all its dire concomitants, continue to prevail
1t was the wise remark Of the celebrated FISH
or Ames, that q" one fact was worth more tina
two theories" The experiment has bee
amply and abundantly tested. Reason, al
gument, rcmonstrance, all the resources
moral suasion have been exhausted, and "
the evil RACES not only %unsbdued, but almo'
hnabated.
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