Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-05
LEGISLATURE TEMPERANCE,
~ E~~-NO~~"ONO N~OONONOO~OAO~-0-
SENATE.-Dec. II. 1852

LEGlSLATURE-TE MPERAWCE.
o"~e~-o~-~oo~o~~oc-NoOo~-o o~-oo~-~O~0o.oooA1o
SENATE.-Dec. IT, 1852.
Nr. Steel presented memorial from citi.
zens Of North Carolina, praying for the pas
sage of an act 10 abolish the LIQUOR traffic.
Mr.. Steele, in presenting the memorial, said
in substance,
present this memorial simply because it is
respectful in its character and is signed by 4
number of the good citizens in all portions of
the State. | felt it to be my duty, therefore
to lay their petition before the Senate take
this occasion to state, however, to the Senate
that would nat vote to carry ont the PRAYER of
the memorialists; ! think it would do NOR.
harm than good and hope, that if a bill is
presented embodytng the views set forth, that
1t will not become law
A1r. Caldwell moved that the memoria! be
not received
lie said, in substance, that he was opposed
TO any legislation whatever, on this subject
lie did not believe that any had a right ieAhtt to
TmemoriaIIze this Legislature, praying for law
to be enacted prohibiting our citizens from
putting their grain in any shape they might
choose, before bringing it into market. He
said, that on the subject Of Temperance, these
memoraIsts were fanatics and they had just
rs much right to memorialize this Legislature
against Slavery, as q nuisance He was sur
prsed that the gentleman should present pa
per to this House, which he himself will not
support, and against which he calls upon Sen
ators to vote.
| Mr.. G. also said, we are informed, that the
Sons of Temperance would become a greater
nuisance than grog-shops, if these insolent me.
MORALS were regarded by the Legislature, OIL
something to that amountl
Mr. Steele said he did not understand the
Senator inhis application, perhaps, of the wore
/ fanatic he would take occasion to say, that
MI Catuwerr saru III TeJry ;rrr1t nefnU
rial to take away or restrict the rights OF thu
people, if carried out, were fanatical in thei
tendencies; and showed, to his mind, that thu
object was to control popular elections. HI
said he had no doubt but that the signers wer
honorable men, but on this subject ne insisted
they were fanatics. He said he was as good
Temperance man as any of the advocates Q
the memorabilia was friendly TO the Temper
ance cause, but was opposed to the presen
movement, for reasons assigned.
MIR. Brogden spoke against the memorial an
concurred in the proposition of the Senate
) from MeckIenburg, not to receive it.
: Mr. Kelly spoke in favor Of the reception {
+ the memoIial-it was a right the citizens ha
! to memorialize the Legislature for the suppre
: sion Of any nuisance.
Mr.. GiImer said, that as he did not beor
to any temperance society, and had but lit
: fondness for the use of spirituous liquors,
Few lsfRsp RR2p po b F1RSg Tor nm to
g excited so much feeling. He was the mo
II inclined to do so, as the petitions in tbs cas-
u by gentlemen, have been likened to the col
muncation from the yearly meeting OF t
II friends or Quakers, some days ago laid up
the desks Of members.
10 Mr. c. said, he conceived there was a We
le decided difference The letter from the Qua
y ers, most unoffeRding and estimable body
christian people, only presented .heir religlo
d views in calm respectful language to the cC
r. sideration of Senators as individuals-they as
or ed no legslaton-the petitioners were equa
- respectful in their language, but asked legis
= ton.
" Mr.. G. said, that as he was advised, this Il
nc mortal originated with the Sons but, Il
ne they have the signatures of Il large number
at citizens, who do not belong to their order.
cit the other hand, numbers of the Sons have
ne fused to sign the petitions, and are opposed
"a the proceeding. These societies set out "
the publicly avowed and repeated intention
. operating by moral snason alone, and not /
- hitting their temperance views to bias Il
~ opinions Of public men and matters. | ad
Viil that this application gives some reason to
ery prehend, that it is the beginning of Temp
in; ance party, which is to Signalize Itself in
re- popular elections, for harm to the quiet of
country, and TO these very respectable socie
=. themselves. Intemperance, which has arou
!. the petitioners, is a monstrousi great evil,
''' = the pet TONERS deserve very great credit
sell their zeal aud efforts tGcounteract it. But
ing all respect and Difference for the opinions
uld designs of the petitioners, he did think
our matter of regret, that any one subject Of
form should take entire possession ofthe N
full of so large and respectable portion of our
low citizens. These petitioners, however,
merous, and az all must admit highly resp'
BILE, are moving, he feared, beyond the sp
7ek; of their great usefulness, but they ough
nee be treated with the respect they deserve.
ken demanded for the petitioners respectful
not sideration He hoped that neither a motto
: !. reject nor the motion to lay on TIE table W
prevail He desired the whole matt,
be referred to a select committee, and
ills, by a report from said committee, the
ould morialists may be assured that Sen
be concur with them, as TO the undoubted S
you evil, against which they respectfully ask
led ther legislative barriers, but that there is
t vet such an embodiment of clear and und
- ed public sentiment and opinion, as to
anu salutarv the desired legislation on su
mug calculated, in the present state Of popular
con- inc to give use to much silly excitement,
rite, more especially when meved thereto main
the application Of the Sons of Temper