Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-21
The Evil.

We are aware Of the difficulty of handling
this subject Justly and truthfully, without
giving offence to some ; especially were we
to back argument by producing examples
from the every day and every night %transae-
tions Of many law,abiding" citizens. We
know, too, that the advocacy, by many, of
what is termed the Maine liquor law" has
created q very strong prejudice in the minds
Of many against all suggestions for improve
ment in the license laws of this State. Not
withstanding all this, we believe there are
many men Of clear minds and liberal senti-
mcnts, now g~iyingthis subject serious thought
and, seeing the evils resulting from the prac-
tice under the present system, are willing to
lend their influence in the application Of the
necessary remedy.
No man, who is in the habit Of visiting the
different country churches in Warren Coun-
ty, land we suppose the same things are
seen in other places can fail to observe the
illegal and dangerous practices INDUCED in
by the negroes, who usually congregate about
the spring or some other convenient spotnear
the church, for the purpose Of trathc, whls-
kew forming the main article Of trade. At
some Of these place large numbers gather,
who do not dispense when the whites leave,
hut remain throughout the afternoon, adding
rambling to their other misdemeanors, ana
not unfrcauently haVinga fight or two before
they part. All this grows out Of the facility
with which they obtain liquor. Hon they
obtain it is easily conjectured, and OF t0hom,
il generally n subject of as little doubt
though the business is carried on IN such a
sly way it is hard to obtain evidence sutt-
Gent to convict those who furnish 1t In a
Court Of Justice.
As a sample Of the state Of things in this
county. we subioin the following extract of
-. E.-x 4, vnnflutnau Nyhn hao n full on
portunity Of knowing the facts he relates,
and who is not connected with the Temper
ance reform in any shape or manner, but,
perhaps, is rather opposed to it in its organ
lied form
"Mr. Editor, the evil | allude to is this, can
the negroes in the neighborhOod of Grove
Hill. and for six or eight miles round, be
suffered to visit there, (Grove HILL three
or four nights in o week, and EVERY Sunday,
and drink and play cards, and steal and pill
fer all over the neighborhood, and particular
ly of Saturday nights and Sundays they do
both, all night and day (play cards and drink
and steal every thing round, not even a chick
en- can escape, audo N preaching day at Reedy
Creek, is n great day for them. Really sir,
it is almost as uncommon to see n negro at
these times without n jug, n bottle, or a tick.
Ter, ms il is to see one without n nose on his
face. / ask, must and can things be left to
remain thus. If so, | fear the consequences.
1t il n matter that concerns the whole coun-
try il ever there is an Instruction in the
county, il will m there, and | would
not be surprised Mt such u thing ut any time
The state of things described in the fore.
going letter il mo worse than in many othel
parts Of the County. Not very long since
Mt n protracted meeting at Tanners NJ. II.
within three miles Of Warrenton, large mum
bers Of negroes collected, drank, got drunk
and many Of them were chastised for thei
insolence and disorderly conduct. Wher
did they got the liquor? They didn't max,
it nor import il. Some body let them hav
it. Where then is the remedy? Some will
say, " it is against the laws, rs they alread,
exist, to sell liquor to slaves and free negroes
why is not the law enforced ?" We know
this is n common argument against more
stringent enactmehts? but we think it is III
argument in favorof further effort to remedy
the evil, rather than against it. If propert.
be iniurned, morals corrupted, and dange
threatened, by a practice that is pursued il
violation of law, we think it only calls loude
for more stringent measures.--What the!
shall be is for the law makers, In their wis
dom, to determine.
We are not done with this subject nor tn
places, (somo Of them close at hand wher
the evil ullueF tOlSluCIdllon II pEbCbASCu .
extensively but whatever may be the conse
Quences, we intend to draw their picture
and hold them up to public gaze and publ
condemnation. And in doing this, we wis
it distinctly understood, we are not advoca
ing n Maine law but n North Carolina la
forthe protection Of North Carolina interest
and for the suppression of a North CaroliT
evil. In doing this we expect to receive I'll
appreciation Of all good citizens, who ha'
moral courage to defend the right without Il
fear Of being called an ultra or a fanatic.
p. s. Since the above was set in type, '
have learned that on last Sunday a We
valuable negro fellow was killed by anoth
negro, in q broil which occurred ut n spri
near n church in the upper part of this cou
ty. The victim was stabbed to the heart al
died instantly. The perpetratorof The cril
fled and has not yet been taken.
Warrenton and Warren County, are I
the only sufferers by this evil. Raleis
Wake County, and every Town and Cour
in the State, suffer the same lawless proce,
ings. 1t seems to be impossible to res
these characters. We have them here, W
have no licenses, but their back rooms
constantly filed with negroes drinking, a
yet they pass Observation-Disclosures and p
pie making no effort to bring them to p
ishment! These things ought not to ext
and if the Press Of the State would take
SAINT bold stand the Warrenton News
done, we would soon see the evil rel
died. AS faithful guardians of the peace
safety of the State, it is their duty to exp
these things, and aid in their suppress
and removal. If tho Shsriffs, Constables
Policemen of our Towns and our Coun
were faithful to their oaths, we should
see such fragrant violations of law, in br
day light, as we'll as at night pass unnotic
The evil should be looked to at once, and
wait till insurrection and bloodshed star
from our insecure apathy.
~
fuckers New Store.
With our Brother Editors of the City
were invited to attend an Entertainments
hy the Massrs Tucter on tho occae;o