Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-02

dering stream into the land of fair maiden
dom,' while he is most romanticly reminded,
at the same time, of certain ancient lover
who it is said crossed the Hellespont to see
his sweetheart.
But to come to the main question-legis-
lation on the liquor traffic. [ have stated
my position to De in favor of a restrictive
and not prohibitory system oflegislation.
And though the distinction may not seem
| clear at once, think shall be understood
after giving my reasons. 1t must be ad-
mitted that every citizen has a natural
liberty to trade in liquor as well as in any
thing else; and I hold that the exercise Of
this liberty should be enjoyed without in.
terruption by lao, unless the public is in
jured or offended thereby; and that the
restraints of law should be imposed only
when, and to the extent which, the public
can show that it is thus injured or offended.
Now when, and to what extent, can the
public show this in the matter of the liquor
traffic? Can it show that such is the case
at all times, under all circumstances, and in
every instance? l think not. The evils
of the traffic, in my opinion, are limited, SO
far as the public are concerned; and hence,
| 60 for limited legislation, which call
restrictive, in contradistinction to prohib-
itory system. But I am asked what kind
of restrictive law am IN favor of? I
answer, that | am in favor of restrictive
license law. l believe that such amend.
ments could be made to our present license
law, and the law regulating the entire
traffic, as to serve the purposes of the pub.
ic-meet with common sanction, and ac-
complish the end desired by the friends of
temperance as far as this can we'll be done
by law. Now what more would prohibi.
tory law accomplish? In my opinion
nothing. But on the contrary, it would
be likely to meet with strong and bitter
Opposition, and excite such a spirit of re-
bellion and disobedience, as to render it in
sufficient and unsuccessful. A great man
has said that the world is governed too
much;' and from this weighty saying, we
may learn that, it is, to say the least, impol-
itic to pass laws which will be likely to be
constantly opposed and disregarded. Does
any man doubt that such would be the case
with prohibitory law in North Carolina ?
Could one be passed now, in the present
state of public sentiment?
The position of my friend 'Invincible'
is, that the liquor traffic is an all-perva-
ding evil; !; and hence he argues the neces-
sity of an entire prohibitory law. Now, if
the traffic is an allpervading public evil,
then it must do public injury in every in
stance where it is had-such injury be.
tween citizens as to require public interfe-
renee. In my view of the subject, such is
not the case; and as my friend has de-
manded of me to show instances where it
ing on hhyrin 1do, this / think, without draw
tphantom-like suppositions.' 1t is matter
of common observation, that a great many
good and orderly citizens have been, and
arc in the constant habit of trading in, and
of using liquor, and without ever having
done violence to public interests or public
character; or in any way having disturbed
the peace and common intercourse between
citizens Now while the course pursued in
such cases. is not such as strict temperance
men approve morally, yet it does seem tC
me that if We would correct the evil IN sucl
cases, it should be done by US as ueoraList
and not as citizens-- by the force of mora
suasion,' and not by the strong arm of the
law. But | am told that if such cases b
allowed, the traffic will be perpctuated, b,
which other cases will occur aud do public
injury. IF this course of argument be ad
mitted then, we should have no end t.
law.making and the confusion that woult
follow In society. There arc thvu-ur.
evils in the land perpetrated by example
Tobacco and Opium are used to tue seriou
detriment of many-the sleeping, eating
and wearing habits of many are sore evil
in society-constantly perpetuated by e1
ample. And can all these evils be correC
ted by law prohibiting the traffic in tn
things by which they are perpetuated?
r would be idle to think so.
t To conclude this article with all due d.
/ ference to the opinions of my friend an
r his many worthy and respectable associate
e in prohibitory scheme, [ would respec
: fully submit, whether it is wise, under a
= the circumstances to urge this scheme; ar
|; especially to urge to the extent which son
f advise. To take the good cause of Tempe
d ance out of its legitimate sphere carry
: into the political field, and there risk it
IS rise or fall, amidst the strife and contentit
J. of a heated party warfare. For one / ha
e not so studied or embraced this cause. Al
Ie whilst feel warm attachment to temps
d ance principles, and ardently desire to $
N their final and complete success, l cam
to sanction course which my judgment d
lie approves, in striving to gain this desirat
of end. w. 5. COPELAND.
st Jackson, n c., Oct II, 1883.
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ty A WoRD TO THE LADIES We conf