Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-30
AA Temperance ann famih ddetklg glehs p
Is the State Responsible

49, AO Wv
Some of the papers in North Carolina have
attempted to raise the plea Of innocence, in
behalf of the State, against the accusation
contained against her in the Appeal sent
out by the Temperance Convention, that the
money placed in the public treasury by the
license system, is "blood money"-money
raised at the sacrifice Of the lives, character
and happiness of herpeople. But while they
have INDUCED in declaimers simply, they
have not the hardihood to enter into argu-
mcnts or adduce proofs, to set aside the po-
sition taken in the Appeal"
Let US look at this things a little The IL
quor traffic has always been the subject of
legislation-the State has exercised the ex-
elusive right to manage il, and the universal
plea has been, that by this means it has been
made a source of revenue to government =
Cruel and monstrous as is this plea, it is one
of the chief defences raised in behalf of the
license system. This cannot be denied. Nor
will it be denied that this identical govern
mental, State system, has slaughtered more
Of its citizens than all the wars, famines and
pestilences which have ever afflicted our coun-
try. Is it harsh and un~becoming, then, that
t her down-trodden, suffering citizens should
boldly proclaim the source and cause of this
/ destruction of human life, and of the hap
p,iness and prosperity of our State, collective
4 w and individually? "Verily, it IS blood
n money; y and the sin and disgrace will cling
V to her, like the shirt of Nessus, until she
: break the bands Of the unholy alliance and
n set the broad seal of her disapprobation a.
e gainst the nefarious traffic.
Let us look at this thing in a h~omespun,
e EVERYDAY business of life sort of way: Sup
g pose the Legislature of North Carolina were
to pass a law, authorizing persons for a Civ
en- license fee, to retail disease, disgrace and
TT poverty among the people, in so many words
-would notevery freeman rise in his strength
N and resist to the death such a diabolical en-
actment? What, short of this, is the exist
ce ing Ubiquitous law, licensing the retail of in
c. toxicating drinks? How many of her citi-
lg zens are murdered by the legitimate and nat
Id ural effects of this law-how much of dis
n grace and infamy is entailed upon commune
oy ty by the duly appointed and commissioned
r. Agents of the State, to execute its devilish
le. and irresistible consequences? What a hor
ia rid array of squallid poverty, brutality anC
int ncestuousness are entailed upon community
through the uncontrollable influences of tht
I'D liquor license law J! Eternity alone cal
lp- reveal the appalling answers to these ques
in tons. And yet %squeamish heroes and pa
lis triots feign a holy horror that the good nam
l.. of the State should be mixed up with sue
a business and held responsible for it. Blu
the dilemma is one from which she cannot b
en- extricated as long as her Golfers are file
our from such a source. Truth procfaims /
uor tones of thunder-"Verily, it is blood MOI
are1 cy."
md We rejoice to see, however, these signs
shame and modification by the Press, til
guardians Of the public veal and rational Ii
va artv-It qngurs that the light of truth hi
" SO exposed the hldeOusneSs OF the unnatur3
ana and bloody code, that they desire to thro
de- the responsibility of its awful consequence,
p'e' somewhere else than on the escutcheon
OF the State. But, until she casts it off herse
rue upon her skirts will the foul stain rema
a fastened. God speed the day, when the vi
'nds traffic may receive the condemnation of t
hey State, and by her sovereign edict this mu
IS OF derer of her people and e~ntailer Of power
TINS and sham upon their hapless descendant
n at be banished forever from her borders.