Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-03
"What are they doing?"

"What are they doingT
We have become heartily tired Of hearing
this question propounded if it SO happens
that we go into a court yard, or into the pub
lie streets, and have the misfortune to see q
man intoxicated, the next thing that disturbs
us is some selfrighteous, Pharisaical fellow,
swaggering around, exelainnfng why what
are the temperance folks doing, that drunken
men must vet infest our streets ?"
Now, Mr.. Pharisee, let Us answer your
question, in true Yankee style, by asking an
other. what are you doingto advance tie
cause Of temperance, by aiding the professed
advocates of the total abstinence principle
with your counsels and influence? Do you
abstain from all Intoxicating beverages your
self? Do you warn your fellow men from err
ror's path? Do you d-iscountenance all tip
ping shops? We wish you to answer these
questions honestly between yourselfand your
conscience, and if judgement goes against
you, do pray pay up the cost and begin anew
on the right principle. It is your inviolable
duty, as much so as any man on Gods foot
stool, to hold up your arms against any evil
that may befaI our nation it is your duty as
a citizen to labor with zeal and industry to
rid our land of any curse that may visit it
this position annlies-M -forrg 70
the curse following Intemperance for you
and your children are as liable to be the VIC
TINS Of its ruthless power, as your neighbor
aud the children Of your n%eighbor. f is yoUr
duty to be vigilant-to be up and doing your-
self, and not to be whining about the sup
posed inactivity of others, and be ever often
ding the feelings Of your temperance friends
by your p@uerilo complainings against them.
"Oh!" you doubtless say in excuse for your
own negligence, "my interests preclude the
idea Of my taking a public stand against the
2 vice; it would iniure my p%ecuniary pros
pects." Then in plain terms, Sir, you are no
temperance man; you are only a make be
lieye, you are q friend only to yourself, ana
barely that, you are only alarmed So far as
your own household is concerned; your ac-
tons plainly evince that you don't care a iot
or little if your neighbor drinks to drunken.
rescue yourrrIend from the death that await.
MN; SO long as you are safe you are satisfied
Selfish, selfrighteous Pharisee!
AT times this same question comes IN from
the Press. An Editor takes a walk-sees >
drunken man-becomes surprised-coes 70
ms table-puts on bis goggles and writes ONT
his flashing leader, and his first paragraph i
nat are the various temperance societies
about, that q civil man cannot take . wal IL
through our city without being ANNOYED On
the streets by brawling, staggering DRINK
ards? Why such restitution in the var;ors
drunken families in town? Why are orr
iiallS q Justice crowded with So many sr;ts
Tor outbreaks and brawls % And ba nn+a
TINS III his journal, with an air of don,rro
sanctIty within six inches Of famine edror
5isements Of the wine merchant, the grog-sel-
ier' the Restaurant, ia genus omnel .eon.
slsfency thou art a jewell and a faro ono
too "0 ohe
And now Brother Editors. as . Gloss IL.
arc you doing to aid in the suppression 80
'ne wee IN question? You, nv brothers
"ho 50 demurely ask what the temnoranco
people are doing; you who grayeIv o~uest;on
~ "olilty OF the friends Of TEMPERANCE -
meet the present crisis, what are 30, do;na
iof' or against US? Why is the press-tba7
potent lever that rules and svays public SEN
tlment' generally silent upon this al absorh-
ing SUBJECT, except it be to question the mo
IVES =. It's friends, and to growl at others for
Io' 0oihg more, and for not doing.wh thew
nave ~ better manner? Why has Tho ga.
lar press been so long mufled unon tb;s 49,
WY goes It not expose the evils and c,,rso.
2! the liquor traffic with the same zeal and -
Siuuity that it does other matters Of miner =,
poplalce? Does it with manly i-ndenendonoo
refuse to press into public notice those dans
where the young and u~nsuspectino NAV fad
ohoice liquors at a cheap price p, CO.
noro' no; tor an extra dollar they will evon
give 6he locations a fash, crack, notice Fat
rally and recommend the host as an obIirina
CHOW And some are 50 far foreetfnl of
,n1ii responsible station as to actually under
pa an opposition paper, and insert croct -
.,oeS OF liquor shops at half a dollar. yer;Ir
= JUDAS had fourished in these our latto,
Jays ne might had saved himself tho tronb1a
tylng the ropes end he acoazd hare 49,,
tnder6id! ""Se oeen
0 CLASSMATES.
Where are our classmates nov
AVE grown to manhood, and entered tho :