Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-07
G Q M mun1tat1On II.
The Discussion.

to discuss the subject of legislative enact
ment. Several able and distinguished speak
ers were written for to entertain us on this
occasion, but none of them were present
On invitation, our ardent and jealous p. g.
w. P, John B. Odom, consented to address
the people. After making a few preliminary
remarks, he spoke of the magnitude of the
evil of i~ntemperance in pathetic and eloquent
terms, hitherto unequalled by anY of his
earnest and able efforts. He next discussed
the manufacture of liquor, as a beverage, con-
tending that it was wrong and should be a
polished. In this part of his learned dis
course, his thought was deep and his reason
ing cogent and truly convincing. Every un-
prejudicedmind was forced to admit thetruth
Of his conclusions. He is so earnest and
patriotic in his purpose, clear and reasonable
in his deductions and argumentatiye in advo-
cacy of his position, that all, even the enc
mics of our glorious cause, are led to admire
him as an American and be proud of him
rs Il true-hearted North Carollnian, who is
willing 20 sacrifice himself for the good of
his native and beloved State.
lie took up the liquor traffic, in the next
place, and proved it to be ~anti-republican and
unjust; and also accused it of a great many
ignoblc deeds, of which it is no doubt the
author. lie closed this eloquent and pathet-
&c address by adverting to II prohibitory law
as the only remedy, and making an earnest
and noble appeal to the gentlemen and ladies
too, in behalf Of this law and his country
This was undoubtedly the most eloquent and
argumentative address that it was ever my
fortune to listen to from our noble and wor-
thy champion. May he long live to battle
for his country in this glorious cause, and
gain new laurels to deck his noble and phil
anthropic brow
At the conclusion of this address dinner
was announced, and the ladies and gentlemen
respectfully invited to partake of the refresh
ments. After dinner was over, the assembly
again convened before the stand and was adj
dressed by our worthy champion DIR. W. S.
Copeland. He commenced his address by
explaining to the people the mannerin which
we advocated a prohibitory law When we
assembled in jackson and passed those reso-
%lutlons in favor of q prohibitOry law, we
did it as the people, and not as Sons of Tenn
perance. He said that he was for a law to
protect the public welfare, and would vote
for just such a law as he thought the public
good demanded. It was his opinion that the
public good did not demand an entire pro.
hibitory law, but if the public good did de-
mand such a law he was ready and willing
to give it his support. He next spoke very
beautifully and pathetically of what the Or
der had accomplished, and closed his worthy
address by relating an anecdote and appeal
ing to the ladies for their cooperation In car
rying on our glorious crusade of moral re
demption. DR.. Copeland is q true-hearted
devoted Son OF Temperance and one of whom
the Order may we'll be proud.
This address closed the exercises of thu
day, which will long be remembered for thu
good of our State. Old alcohol and his in
fernal traffic received tremendous blows or
this occasion, which had a strong tendenc,
to sever the ties that now exist between hin
and his devotees. That the liquor traffic ha
done much to injure the country and moth
ing benefit it, all men of truth will admit
That it ought to be put down, all men of rea
son and intelligence who have given it pro
per reflection, must agree. The question
may ariSe-How shall this be done? To thi
question there will be various answers, bu
to harmonic them all we should all meet, i
the great State Temperance Convention, an,
) decide which is the best way to accomplish
our object; and after this decision is made
we should, liketrue republicans, all work i
the way the majority decide best. There
one great impeachment in our way, and unles
something is done to remove it, we may q
) we'll be darling straws against the wind a
E attempting to accomplish our object.
With your permission, Mr.. Editor, [ DE-
1 sire to make one recommendation to til
friends Of Temperance throughout Mort
Carolina, in relation to the removal of tn
: hindering cause. The impediment of whic
Y | speak, is immaculate PARTY with il
e spotless robe of crimson. In every count
in the State, where the Wings are in the m
f nOrity, should the most prominent men
e the party advocate It proffibitory law, the
4 O0OtIUoC will ho iO,pIinnoA bu tho OTprinh
l. pied de~magOgues who are the vile vassals
d party. Likewise, in every county where tt
Democrats are in the minority, their motive
will be impugned by a like horde of dem
l. gogues, should their best men advocate tn
J. law. We see, therefore, that the object
70 our enemies is to stretch out the potent ar
r. of PARTY, and draw within it's ample folC
St every one OF us, and, at the same time, brea
down our dearest object, the enactment of
l. prOhibitOry law. just so long as we subm
l. to the edicts of party, just so long will OF
If cause be crushed and our State degraded
It How shall we get clear of this impediment
10 There are only two ways, ore of which alol
1t is practicable. | will speak of the way tn
.e is practicable: The two parties are abo
equally divided in this State, as the Legisl
20 ture proved. If then, the friends of Tempe
p ance will decide to support the candidat
d who advocate this law, regardless of part
all over the State, one party will gain
w much as the other, and at the same time v
j. will get that measure, which is of more il
Y. portance to the State than all parties.
That this is the only way in which we C;
d accomplish our object, is my sincere convi
e ton. That it is plain to all others [ have n
l. IL doubt. Ii we love our country better TIL
le we do our party, we are bound to suppo
this measure. 1t is to the interest of pc
t%icians that the liquor traffic remain as it
for which reason they will not abolish it u
q less the people demand it. Suppose now tn
" we do not taketh his position, what will be t
y consequence? Why neither party will no
:. mate men approving it, and the candidat
~ will not come out in favor of it, and cons
~ quently we cannot obtain it. We might Z
- pition the Legislature until dooms-day, a
" we would meet with about as much succt
=, as if we were to petition Belzebubf for the
f. lease of the victims of despair. [ had mu
rather both parties would nominate men
n. vorable to this measure, but if they shou
not, In relation to State policy, it is of ms
~ Importance than Free Suffrage, and star
precisely uDln the Samn basis TtheIonrS