Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-08
IaNira' Rrqartmrut.
Grstimnup nf ttr Drunknrh's apifr.

UP5lluluug III tDR UlAhhAlh . 1otH'
On bright sunny morning last week, a
poor woman presented herself at our door
with a basket Of nice berries for sale, whnf
she had brought some two or .heee miles,
he might purchase some luxury for
nd. / handed her a seat and
g6er relieve herself of her large sun
yonnet, and cool her heated brow, while |
r.emptied her basket and brought her the
change When l returned she was deep
nv absorbed in listening to an animated
conversation, carried on by a small group
of voluble politicians, seated in the shade
near the door. They were discussing that
topic Of topics, the Maine Temperance Law.
One voice was distinguishable above the
rest for its boistcrous eloquence.
Il tell you, gentlemen, that ours is a ma
ton of liberty. Our free-born citizens
will not long submit to this gag law, which
is forced upon them. 1t will soon be num-
bcrcd among the things that were but are
not
The poor woman lifted up her eyes to
my face, and asked earnestly
Is it true, that this blessed law is to be
repealed?
No. l replied, inspired by a sudden
confidence, there are wicked and design
ing men who love the waters Of death, that
would fain wipe it out forever from the
bright q on which it is inscribed, but
there are those who are stronger than they
Thrice is no armed who has his quarrel ust.
No, my good woman, this righteous Law
will live, and be honored and observed
when youder stormy politician will have
sunk into an unhallowcd and forgotten
grave -
Her eye frightened but instantly
dim with tears as she said
You will not wonder why the sound c
a repeal strikes me with horror, when l te1
YOU, that on the day that this law ven il
to operation, l and my wronged childre
sat silently in wretched hut, watchin
with ever-to-be-spoken anguish, the la.
accting breath Of a dear child-our youn,
est darling, who died for want of nourisI
men and medical aid, while his father Ia
stepped in drunkenness in one corner
the howell CA burst of tcars.) Now '
have a comfortable home, my children a
clothed and fed, my husband is kind al
industrious but could the poor misguid'
man obtain spirituous liquor, we should
again plunged into the deepest wretche
ness; for alas! he has no power to res
temptation. A return of those dreadf
days would be worse than death! To s
my children again clothed in rags, thu
sunny smiles and merry laughter chang
to cries and tears, their tender limbs bru
cd and broken by a tyrant's merciless han
To see my quiet home turned into the
bodo of a demon, before whose terril
frown fly comfort and peace! To me
would be like striking yonder bright S
from the blue sky, and robing the gre
cOrth in the gloom of the grave! NJ
God in his great mercy forbid this unh,
repeal?
Voters Of Maine Hear we the agor
cd cry of this poor wife and mother ?
is the cry of the Women of Maine!
&C vow oLildrnn
proud e~xultant tread of freemen, and
to it, that this glorious law remains as it L
stands; unstained by 'amendment'-aGr
dian Angel upon your Statute Book
powerful to preserve your sons from dish
ored graves, and your daughters from
hopeless misery of unloyed and wretc
homes. EDITH RIVERS