Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-06-15
Grand jury P-resentment.

1t will he seen, from the following Pre-
sentmen Of the Grand Jurors Of the Coun-
ty of Rowan, that the substantial, tax-pay-
ing portion of our citizens are taking hold of
the subject and presenting the evils of In
temperance to the consideration of the Courts
of Justice. We hope their noble example
will he followed by every Grand Jury that
may be empannelled from this time to the
next session of the General Assembly, in or
der that our wise law makers may under
stand how widespread and deep laid is the
. fmaticism " of our people on this subject.
Lot every one read this truthful article and
p)ader and act in procuring relief from the
grievances complained of:
To II HONORABLE, II SUPERIOR COURT
of Law and Equity, opened ana held lr
the County of Rowan, Spring Term 1898.
Incoucluling our laborso Of this week, rs the
| Grand Jurors Of Rowan County. we beg leave
tostato to the Court, that our labors have been
unusually arduous on account Of the many
cases coming before us. The number and
turnitude of these cases, we are grieved to
state. proclaim the fearful tendency, and wide
snreai prevalence Of reigning immorallties
of our commonwealth. As guardians OF the
public morals, we much lament to witness
the rapid deterioration Of public virtue, and
the triumph of unbridled vice, which pre-
walls among a large portion OF our telloW
citizens. From the cases OF Indictment that
have been before us this week, and what we
have seen heretofore, we are constrained 70
believe that the decline of public virtue, and
the prosperity Of vice and immortality, are
attributable to the prevalence of intemper-
ance amongst our people. We are unani
: nous in the opinion, that the multitarlou;
: vices that disturb the public peace, sap the
foundation of Society, and waste the ener
. ries Of our people, are clearly traceable t,
g That monster MtemperaRce. We are further
more persuaded that the alarming prevalence
= Of intemperance is chargeable, in a grea
measure. to the effectiveness of the presen
system or License Law of spirituous liquors
Ii is beyond DISPUTE that this license law, a
il stands on our Salute Book is productive g
: great public evils. As it is, it only emboI
dens evil men to spread Corruption and VIC
over the land, under the protection of legs
A. sanction, and deters the law loving, and la
is abiding citizens from any interference.
Of The revenue arising from this legaHze
ut form of vice, is a mere nominal pittance,
j. mere mock -Drice of Blood Treasure, viii
s. the loss of time, talent, and money expende
A. in adjusting the cases brought about by 1t al
enormous. Leaving other considerations
on weigbty Importance out Of view, the wIsdo
ed of political economy would dictate some mea
ure to be taken by our fellow citizens to r
ourselves Of the burdens placed upon as
05 this legalized form of vice.
We would also call attention to the gre
G3 evils growing out of the Treating system
- rs practised by candidates for Office. We h
6S lieve this to be a great source of vice, su
versive of the public peace, and corruptii
: q the elective franchise. We hope and tru
l. therefore that our fellow citizens will {
%nounce in unqualified terms this practice
NY pregnant with evil and corruption, a practi
ed, in open violation Of all Law, and every pr
C. ciple of patriotism.
MS Impressed with these views, we would
the riously call the attention of our fellow CT
rip, zens TO these growing evils, IN the earn
70 a hope that some remedy may be appheo
raft the better safety, and peace Of our commu