Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-05

ton to tender the use of the Commons Hall
| to the Temperance Contention that night at
Mr. Williams, of Warren, said he wa, no,
opposed TO the order OF the Sons of Temper
ance-he believed they were engaged in
good cause and were doing much good but
he was opposed to giving them the use IF tLa
Hall that night. The House had determined
to adjourn one week hence, much business "a.
malned TO be done, and he did not tbink tba
use OF the Hall should be given up to any one,
but that the members should occupy # and
proceed with the business before them He
moved that the resolution be laid upon tho
table P' 'i'o
Mr. Spruill, of Bertie, said he hoped the
gentlemen from Warren would withdraw bis
motion and that the resolution would be adon-
ted without opposition Those applyinp for
the use OF the Hall were our fellow-citizens and
constituents men of influence and respecta-
bility, and engaged in a good work. They
were met together here to further that work.
and to confer upon the best mode of freeing
the people OF the State from great evil.
Mr. Williams withdrew his motion and Mr.:
Mills, of Rutherford, renewed it.
Mr. Miller, Of Caldwell, opposed the resolu-
tlon; Dut the confusion in the Hall was SO
great that the reporter could not hear him.
Mr.. McNeill, of Robson, said that the use
of the Hall had frequently been rendered to
societies and individuals and he could not see
why it should be refused to the present appli-
cants. He understood that memorials, pray-
ing some change in the license law, had come
up here signed by fifteen thousand persons;
and it was the delegates of these persons who
had been sent here and who now applied for.
permission TO meet that night in the Commons
Hail. He had never yet passed the grave
of a man in North Carolina who had died for
the want fsomething to eat, but he regretted
to say that he had passed the graves of many
who died from the excessive use of strong
drinks.
Mr.. Mills said he desired to offer few re-
marks. This House had now been in session
/ ten long weeks, and it was time for it to ad.
Journ lie was opposed to every thing which
Until the business was dIspatchedi and not yield
the Hall to any one for any purpose.
Mr.. Caldwell, of Gui!ford, and Mr.. Dargan
of Anson, each made few remarks in favor Of
the resolution and against laying it upon the
! table,
Mr. Wynne, of Hyde, said he was a temper
ance man and a friend to temperance; but he
could not see why the petitioners came for
: ward and asked the use of the Hall. He re-
garded the petition as intended to commit the
members TO favor their cause.
Mr.. Sprull interrupted by saying that he
had offered the resolution in good faith. He
: knew nothiug Of any intention to commit the
members to any views; but believed the cause
i of temperance great and glorious one.
: Mr.. Wynne resumed: 1t was now nearly
the close Of the session; why had the petition
: ers come forward Just at the close! If there
: was no other place in which the convention
y could meet it would be different matter.
d Mr. Mcneil said that no other suitable place
: could be obtained and MIR. Wynne resumed
: his seat.
= Mr.. Toson, Of Arson, said he wished to say
: a few words The Sons were trying to pro
y y hibit US from enjoying our privileges-privie
ges which we had enjoyed for long years, and
:, which our fathers fought for. He had nothing
! against the Sons-some Of them had voted fol
: g him, though they were scattering. He hoped
: the resolution would not pass. The constitu
= ton allowed men to join whatever societies
!, !, they pleased; but he objected to the people
" of North Carolina coming up here and asking
= them to pass a law to take from him one o
his privileges. He honestly believed the,
wanted the Maine liquor law passed; hoped
= the Sons would not think hard Of him-he hat
az az nothing in the world against them 9Th,
y speaker was frequently interrupted by cries O
~ question! "question! question:" Much con
y y fusion in the HaIL)
~ ~ The question was then taken upon laving tn
" resolution upon the table and decided in tn
negative-yeaS ~, nays 55.
=; Mr.. Miller, much excited, sprang TO th
~ floor and declared he wonld occupy it till /
-. ' o'clock so as TO defeat the object in view.-
r These, said he, are temperance men, and NJ
' ,r,r the good people Of. the State Much conf
-, -, sion
';os Mr.. Mcneil interrupted by saying that ii
,nd mers and substantial citizens.
e., Mr. Miller continued: He would ask Il
IN gentlemen (Mr McNeilI) if he (Mr. Men
Ia was in favor of the Maine liquor law.
! had rights and his constituents had rights
70. Much noise. He moved that the Hou
nds take recess till O'Clock.
81 Some member moved to amend the mot'
M BY saying an adjournment until 10 O'Clock
cta morrow morning.
Mr.. Miller Withdrew his motion and claim
~ his right to the floor
H. Mr. Am;s, of Granville, said he wished
.or ask the gentleman Mr.. Nd why he was G
\ to posed to an adjournment if he intendedto spe
- ill midnight merely to stave off the question
20 Mr. Miller said he was plain man a
thu used pain words: it was his misfortune, a
n,a not his fauIt-it was natural Increased nois
tnrs He took drink of spirits whenever he please
1cisI but he would ask that gentleman (pointing
fur. Mr.. McNeil) if he Mr.. McN.) ever saw
not Nh NJ DRINK kAa hAai-lA--h -h;.-.e'.esi
nit ents had instructed him TO vote against ev
make thing of the kind. (Nuch noise in the lob
,iect. and cries of 'question question!") Mr. Spe
feel er, exclaimed he. l am not TO be put do
and here by these cries for the question. h
" on rights, Mr. Speaker, upon this floor, and
nee constituents have rights. Iwish twenty woul'