Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-07-14
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
NUMBER II.

~ A6@ 49, - G@6ZI
gested the ground | intended to occupy in this
discussion. The manufacture and sale of in
toxicating drink, | look upon az being the
greatest obstacle nov in the way Of the sue
cess and final triumph of the cause of Temper
ance. If these can be removed, there will be
no great difficulty, to bring about a state of
general Temperance IN our land. For, on the
one hand. those who would be glad to abandon
the practice of drinking, and become sober
men, would hail such an event as the happiest
circumstances of their life. Many such there
are, who, but for the temptations offered by
the manufacturer and the vender of these ar
tlcles, would become sober men, and be able TO
maintain such position but, the habit OF drink
ing, and the appetite for strong drink. have
become so fully and pred9ninantLy established,
that they find it an extremely difficult, and In
deed, in most cases, an impossible matter for
them to refrain. Take away these Temptations
and they are safe.
On the other hand, many, even among The
reformed, are frequently o~vertaken, because
of the presence of this destroyer of their peace
Some such there have been, whose reformation
has been of a deep and decided character, who
at times have been overcome on this Score
All who are now moderate drinkers would be
at once secured against future Drunkenness
These are matters SO plain in themselves, that
their truthfalness at once IS seen. Nov u
such a state of things could 81 broae
in society, and if nothing moe We aecoAk
plished, the entire ~abrogation of the
ture and sale of Intoxicating drink
have accomplished an incalcuIable an
good, sufficiently so, to justify LegsIaS
/ ton in this case.
! l consider the manufacture and sale d
toxicating drink, inseparably connected in
r Ill
tirely prohibited and not allowed under any
circumstance whatever, the manufacture of it
i would necessarily cease. The latter is neces-
S hibition, therefore, should be such as to accom-
plsh both these objects, that this most deadly of
Y all physical causes of evil, might be banished
from human society. 1t is very important, |
think, that. this view of the subject should be
kept in mind throughoutthis discussion. Ia
king this ground in this investigation, it is my
y objectto show: That it is the interest, aye, the
duty.of the LegislaturesbY specific enactment,
d tQpFohibit the sale of alIgkinds Of Intoxicating
y liquors within the Commonwealth.
lc Thisis a very grave subject, and one too
that should be very carefully and eautiouslysin
vestigated. To dothis, we must understand
fully, the general principA iRyalveda Ihisdl
u" comprehended in this D. nasgly
That the manufacture and sale of, intoxicatiny
Ce liquorsis the greatest physical cause of evil, ant
ne that to a greater extent, of any other what
lg ever.
ed Let it ever be borne in mind, that the man
utGcture and safe of these articles are to b
viewed as inseparably united in this gram
nc scheme and system of death. The one canno
long exist without the other. Cut off entire
r ly the sale, and the evil will be thrown bac
I1poa thu aoa1tf,cF7.a. anl co,,cf Hno1lv owns
ST, itself. Cut off this course, and the sale mus
os. cease. The combination Of these, constitute
as the greatest physical cause Of evil known; an
this cause has been productive of more evil
and that too, of a more formidable character
than any other cause that exists in our Worlt
Viewing the subject in this light, it mu
strike the mind Of every thinking man, tn;
the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating
quors must be recognized as one of the create
curses that ever has deluged our world. It hi
us acted as the great exciting cause of the mo
!, If deadly evils that mankind ever experienced
un 1t has been the cause, directly and Indirect.
of the loss of more property, both national
HI, and personally, than all other causes besides
bis 70 put a stop to this ,desolating scourge. W
,we require Legislative interposition; indeed, not
no, ing but this can avert this all-devouring d
Ia mon.
ont community VI IdOh SutI IObS C11lul LCA
rio perate when the manufacture and Gale of int
ne, icating liquors is authorized and protected
and law. While therefore, the laws on our statu
sEc books, authorize men to sell Intoxicating drin
nro' and protect them in this traffic by granti1
them a license to sell, it is folly in the extren
ons indeed, the history of the world shows it to
madness to suppose that any thing like
. or state Of general temperance can exist in
community where it is allowed. Nothing sh'
will of its entire prohibition can effect this
The authorizing of men by law to traffic
inn- ardent spirit as a drink says a good writer,
b On inconsistent with the temperance of the comm
nifty. Temperance is the moderate and PROF
.oie use of things beneficial, and it is abstinence fr
alie things hurtful. Ardent spirits being one Of
w hurtful things, temperance with regard to Il
'nce' is abstinence, perpetual, entire, universal alb
IN a nence. But by authorizing men to sell it
hich protesting to do this for the public good, lie
save lators declare that to buy and drink it i ri
upon and useful. This is not only false. bus promo
CHI in intemperance. To use a thing which ID il
npor- nature hurtful, is intemperanco, no less rel
than to use a beneficial thing to excess an
those often more injurious, especially when the rs
nncb it, as in the case of ardent spirit even III "
IT, quantities, tends to a Constant ineisease.
- teach the doctrine by legislation, that il isr
to drink it, in any quantity, IS to prometa Int
hs'e'' perance; to inculcate a doctrine which tend
ne. the foundation of a GREAT Anortion ne All
'ident drunkenness in the world il does inmens.
intel jury in another way, by increasing the di6c
most of convincing men that to drink ardent spiri
since to furnish it to be drunk BY Others. j. sin. A
lip S. see no difference between what IS legal.
would what Is right. With tnems the STANDARD or
ish TO aud wrong is human law. IF a thfngis legal
will they wish to do it, they take 10 for granted q
is right. Show that it dishonors God, and
$3.50 AL&Z#4
ch, ii s'soyE Me4 a. e. ~ - tb enei $ : 80 $500 a. r. -
which oonolr5o +bot = i r;rbt an fbns "a &
lily in the conviction which thew would otbeAuise
seats of its enormous wiekedness and pallf
essive tell YOU that it is allowed BY Law khas
ed the have gotten a license and paid for II tkal
amber is a lard of liberty, and begin to cIainor 4
their rights, to increase the taxes, demoraliz
made character, destroy the health, shorten the
The and ruin the souls of men; or else, VIII