Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-21
The Great Battle.

W give d SCHSfuA oJ uOpSAo AK
emperance reform and the progress of the
Law. With pleasure, therefore, we
spread before our readers the present position
If the States, so far as we can gather infor-
chiefly taken from the N. O. Organ:
MAINE.-This was the first State to raise
the banner of prohibition. The law was
by the legislature, and approved by
the Governor, June 2, 1852.
The operation of the law was so beneficial,
that, at the next election, when this was the
issue and the only issue before the people, a
legislature was returned who passed an ad-
ditional act, in which all friction was removed
and all the screws frightened so as fully to
accomplish the great work, and this was done
by a two-thirds vote. Again: the law was
subjected to all the wrath and opposition that
could be brought against it, and in the late
election the State was again carried by a
tremendous majority, and in the legislature
the opposition cannot muster twenty, all told.
King Alcohoi's empire is crushed in that
State, his sceptre gone, and the people say
amen to it. So much for Maine, in the face
of all that has been said to the contrary.
MASSACHUSETTS comes next. They wit
messed the workings of the lev and Their
passed a similar one the people gave their
verdict in its favor and there it stands as
solid as their Bunker Hill Monument and
the wrathful waves of opposition may break
at it's base only to be repulsed and shattered.
VERMONT, the Green Mountain State, next
entered the list, and her legislature passed a
more stringent one than even the Maine Law.
This law was sanctioned by the people at the
ballot box. The Supreme Court of the State
passed their decision upon some of the most
stringent clauses of their law and fully sls-
tanned it. Volumes of evidence are accumu-
lating, all going to show It's blessed results.
The leading men Of the State acknowledge
that it is working wonders in the destruction
Of pauperism and crime. The liquor traffic
is branded with the deepest infamy in that
State. Can't be repealed.
RHODE IsLAND.-This noble little State
passed the law in her legislature, and it was
pronounced unconstitutional in some of its
lsAAih
uetd1ts by th6 Supreme Court, %whereupon the
opposition greatly rejoiced. Nothing waver-
ing, they passed another a second time in
the legislature, making it still more stringent;
this was submitted to the people, and it was
~triumphantly carried. 1t is now in full OPP
Grafton, producing grand results.
MIcHIGAN,-The people of this State, with
uncommon energy, agitated the question, and
the legislature passed the law by a large
majority, and the people endorsed it by a
majority of twenty thousand. The law is
about to take effect, and Carson Leagues have
been formed all over the State to see the law
fully executed. King alcohol and his subjects
will be shown no quarter.
Observation-Disclosures has risen up in
the majesty Of hcr might, and passed a strin.
gent prohibitory law.
WASHINGTON CITY.-The question of pro-
hibition was submitted to the people at the
capital Of the nation, and by a majority Of
more than two to one, they decided in favor
of prohibition. Measures have been taker
6 to induce Congress to sanction the act by the
passage ola stringent law. Car they refuse
WIsCoNsiN.-This State has wheeled into
6 line and passed the Maine law by an over
whelming majority The air is burdenec
, with the cry of victory.
New YoRK.-This great empire State ha
just elected a large majority of Maine Law
Y members to the legislature, and the Herald
Tribune, and other leading political papers
are calling upon the legislature to pass tn
law at once, and give it a fair and homes
r trial. 1t will be done.
n OHIo.-After having fought a hard battle
d has been defeated by the profeSsed friends G
n the law, who preferred party, mere party, 70
the time being, rather than this glorious law
The friends have gone to work with as muc
if not more zeal than ever.
MARYLAND has just come out of the contes
triumphant, and the law will certainly /
le passed by her legislature. A majority
members nave been elected upon the Main
> law question.
- INDIANA.-The ineficiency of their law h;
been proven, and they arc now coming OF
for the Maine law. The leading men Of til
state are moving. Senator Hannegan
: rousing up the people and calling for a stril
gent prohihitOry law.
The question is before the legislature
several other states. Tennessee is pressir
= her suit.
MISSISSIPPI is calling upon the lcgislatu
bo for the passage of the Holmes County la'
i which grants no license unless the vender g
a majority of the qualified voters and fema
heads Of families within q circle of FIVE mil
where he intends to sell.
US ALABAMA is sending in her petitions to Il
legislature asking for the passage of an an
~ liquor law, which places the matter in t
hands of the people at the ballot-box.
,es Other States arc coming up to the wo
It's with soul and spirit.
III TEXAS has struck for prohibition.
North CAROLINA is moving, and right 0
AT ward moves the great work of reform.
ev-
p| Lead as not in temptation, we say
the Lords Prayer. In the spirit of our
quor license laws we say, LET US all
tempted" Temptation turks in every pa
nd of life; and alas! how many fall in the sns
ne to struggle there and die without deliveran