Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-12
G0itur'g Currrgp0nnrllrG.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TIE AGE.
New HANOVER Co. Jan. 1853

NEW HANOVER w., JAN. 1000
The action Of our Legislature on the Tenn
perance Memorial, is a lasting r~eproach and
shame to that body. 1t is so regarded by all
discreet, impartial, right thinking men. 1t
has aroused the Indignation Of the friends Of
justice and humanity in this section, and we
doubt not throughout the State. Such floun-
ces, such Sinking from responsibility, such
lodging the question, was never before man
ifcsted in q North Carolina Legislature. It
shows that demagogism yet stalks f~earfully
abroad in our State, and that the General As
sembly is under its inglorious and degraded
ban. The Hall Of the House Of Commons,
that has been let to any and almost every
purpose, that is scarcely ever refused to any
one, is denied to a State Temperance Con-
~yentioA, to hold its meetings! Shame, an
eternal shame on them, sri1o acted se-f5e4fsi1-
u and unWorthily on that memorable occa-
sion. They will have u fearful account to
make to the people. The Sons Of Temper
anco, who are doing more good in our
State than ell the political parties c. m
bin2l, anl waosa principles and actions
are those ofreason, justice, humanity, patriot
ism, and the prosperity of the Commonwealth,
are denounced as a set Of fanatics - and
the whole vocabulary Of denunciation is ex-
hausted upon them !! When before was such
a spectacle exhibited? When was the peo-
pies wishes ever before SO sighted and so
eontomptuously treated? When was a more
mild request ever made Of the Legislature,
when was q more respectful petition laid be-
fore q Legislative body, where is the measure
more republican ? And yet was there ever
o body Of citizens so reproached and insulted
as these memorialists have been by the Leg
~islature Of North Carolina? Nothing could
be nan"o~or
l. 4roL IL, I - So. Ao,,I1 no oCl-H1 ~ rofnn
an important matter to the people for decis-
ion-to let that great province of our %institu-
tons, that palladium of our liberties, the
Ballot Box, say what should be done in this
matter Of liquor and yet our requests are
Kissed at, our principles trampled under foot,
! our efforts m0ked at, and ourselves denounced
as Z" fanatics" by our law makers and rep
D resontatiyes! Never before did our Legisla-
ture refuse so reasonable a request, backed
, by such q strong and influential array OF
names. Never before was the peoples voice
so disregarded never was so just and useful
a measure, one that promises such q vast
, amount Of good to the people of the State, sc
;. Knocked at and spurned, and treated with
such contempt by our Legislature.
But there's Il better time coming" The
voice Of retributive justice is already hearC
0 throughout our State, and is borne from DO
some to bosom, from neighborhood to neigh
: -h8FfRbtfAfAb ff55a BBe9- County to County; 5 and it vii
tinual, until it kindles a flame that will vim
dictate our order from the aspersi0ns and con
tempt of legislative action, and secure for i
u that respect it merits in the community an
in the Legislature. Let US hang our : ban
4 ner on the outer wall - let US unfurl cur fla,
n to the breeze, and under it rally, openly
q faithfully, fearlessly rally, until justice i
~ done, until law is arrayed on the side @
right and justice and order, until victory shal
be ours. Let our w~atchword, our %rallyin
"a cry, be, illegal Prohibition as we'll as mora
n ~suasion, and with this motto inscribed upo,
: our banner let US march forth to battle an
II to victory. Let this watchword animate tn
heart of every true friend Of the cause let
be seized upon and borne along our easter
shores, carried along our piney plains, up t
. our western hills, and let It's echoes be hear
and its reverberations resound until the a
1t, ~mosphere of the whole State, from Currituc
to Cherokee, shall be made musical with i
inspiring notes. Let US remember them VIII
voted with, as well as those who voted again,
US, in the Legislature. Let us listen to Il
such pitiful excuses as 'latenesS of the Sc
sion" "other important business" and sin
:. liar subterfuses as will be put forth In palIir
ton of the inexcusable cOnduct OF those wi
did not sustain the Memorial. There will |
ST. another election in 1854 for members of tt
nj Legislature, and let US then remember thes
things-let US then at the Ballot Boz, do ia
" tice to ourselves, to our motives, our prime
leI pies, our aims, our State and our Country
not we mean by forming a distinct Tempe
he ance party per Sc, but by wings voting Fl
eet none others than wings who favor our Ter
ist perance measures, and by Democrats votir
for none others than those Democrats who f
3yor likewise our Temperance measures. N
Y Their party can object to this. no party lin
ey will be erased, and at the same time we C:
lfy be true to ourselves, true to our cause. L
politicians must be made to feel our streng
nd and treat US with more respect.
III "Who would be free
to Themselves must strike the blow"
~ Many who have joined our Order from t
- unworthy motive of gain or selfish advan'
As ment of some friend, do not like the me
ION elevated stand our Order has taken in t
State as regards legal restriction. They ha
not the stamina to stand the heat and smd
of the battle-are afraid to risk their POI
larity-form some paltry excuse. and drop
,r from the Order, wearied and tired of dol
their duty. Let them go they have not
nerve to do right, have not the independel
to do their duty in the face of opposition,
ent, the sooner such hangers on are shaken
by in the progressive character of our Orc