Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-17

so-Nssy VI 'guti0o, oouseS, ana uSOrpaClODSs
We have heard of repeated acts Of oppres-
siOns. andof wrongs inflicted upon a weak
people, BY strong and foreign power. We
have heard Ieciled 4 long Isl Of esievancss.
and of the patience with which they were so
long endured. We have been told of our
attentions to our British brethren-of our
appeals to native justice and magnanimity,'
to the $ ties of our common kindred and
common origin. We have heard, too, that
our petitions were unheeded, our appeals
disregarded, and that then, when there was
no longer any virtue in forbearance, truth
and justice, long crushed to earth arose a.
gain, and proclaimed to candid world
that these united colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and Independent States
But, rights asserted, had to be defended, and
wrongs inflicted had to be redressed. The
solemn pledge of life. fortune, and sacred
honor had to be redeemed, and the high
position of freedom was obliged to be main
tanned. Hence we have heard of the note
of war-the rush to arms, and battle-felds
I-of deadly conflicts, and the out-pourings of
blood. We have heard too, of the success
of our arms, of the triumph of justice, and
the establishment of freedom; and, to day in
the good Providence Of God, we enter upon
the 18th year of our, independence, having
tor II years successfully tried tie great ex-
pertinent of selfgovernment, and proved
the correctness Of our principles, anG the
stability Of our times
But, whilst we have asserted, and gained.
and maintained distinguished republican
nationality-whilst we are free, and sover-
eign and commanding, still within our linn
its, and co-extensive with our borders, there
is found an enemy more cruel than tyranny,
and more terrible than an army with bau-
: ners.'
: Wherever this enemy cometh, he smit-
eth. He spares not. the high nor the hum
ble-He withers the yigor of youth, and
dishonors the gray hairs cf age. He scatters
all earthly possessions, and leaves not a
hope for the future. He rides on the limit
less ocean, and burries whole fleets in its
depth That enemy is Intemperance his
name is Legion, and as he stalks through
this land of the free,' tears, and groans,
and anguish-poverty, and wretchedness,
. and death, follow in his train.
In opposition to the strides Of this gigan-
J, tic Invader, and the, insidious encroachments
: OF this fiery monster, some of us are array-
r. ed, and full panoplied for the conflict. Ap-
II pealing to the highest Authority for
s. the rectitude Of our iutentions,' and,
T. in the name Of humanity and right, we
N have solemnly pledged Our honor as men,
~ that we will neither make, bug sell, nor use,
t as beverage, any spurious or malt Ii
e quorS, Vine or Cider And that from
q, their perEicious influence, we are, and Of
: right ought to be free.' Such being the DO
rg sition we have assumed, decent respect to
ne the opinions of mankind requires, that we
b, should declare the causes which have impel-
lod us to this, our solemn declaration. -
Fy The great principle we have espoused is that
n of Total abstinence from all that intoxicates.
g and this is the doctrine to which we respect.
ID fully invite your patient and candid attention
re Our first reason in support of this posi-
lis ton is,-
X l. That the use of Intoxicating liquors as
beverage, IS unproftable and pernicio,ss.
Some Of you may be ready to imagine that
ardent spirits exist naturally in grain and
- fruit and sugar-cane, just as -four and cider
at and molasses do; and hence YOU infer that
Id the Creator intended spirits for the use O
e. man, as much as -four or fruit or molasses
nd And hence we often hear the quotation, es
peciallv from them who are fond of grain il
ke fermented solution: Every creature of Go
as is good, and nothing is to be refused, if i
ny be received with thanksgiving But tn
ed fact is, that ardent spirits are not mature
productions, and the God of nature is not
ho Irop tod 81.
were not among the things which receive
the seal Of the Divine appreciation. Th
? animal kingdom saith, The intoxicatin
element is not in me- and the vegetabi
kingdom responds, it is not in me- Th
in- truth is, distilled spirits were not known ur
lad til many centuries after Christ: not uni
the discovery of the art Of distiIlation in tn
OF dark ages. AS to the discoverer of this ar
whether man or DEVIL we shall not d,
me eide 1t is certain that man had hand j
ec- it, and as the production was an evil spi
ay, it, there is no doubt that Satan was please
with his new kin, and that he reioced
the nearness of the relationship. Alcoh
is not natural, but artificial. The element
we'd by the combination of which this substan,
= is formed, existed before; but the su6stan
net- atSeJ mad no previous existence. 1t is Il
ped product solely Of yinous fermentation, and
was as really different from what existed befor
in the grain and fruit, as the poisonous m
ave asma is different from the vegetables fro
this the decomposition of which that miasn
ay. springs Hence it no more follows, becau
fruits and grains are nourishing, that ther
J to fore alcohol is nourishng, than it follows.
cause vegetables are nourishing, that ther
give fore poisonous miasma, which the decay
lost these substances produces, is nourishing.
Many suppose that alcohol exists in all t
see vegetable substances whose fermentation
lem, ter Geath will produce it. Blu: this is
J the entire mistake. Not particle of it is to
MED found, except through vinous fermentati
Alcohol is in its nature, as manifested bv
effects, subtle and difusive poison. Nj
n the ttudes of the most distinguished and imp
t the tial physicians have decided that such is
e the nature. And how do they arrive at