Spirit of the age., 1853-07-13
Our Opinion.


1T Gatesyille, declaring they would vote for
no candidate who treated with Intoxicating
drinks, or was opposed to the passage of
prohibitory law. Our Elizabeth City Cor
in his rejoinder to our Editorial
has forgotten, himself that liberality and
charity which he processes to be anxious 70
inculcate, and assumes positions for us that
were as foreign from our heart, as light il
from darkness, and we defy any one to iusti-
fy his assumptions from reading Of our ar
tIcle. But we shall not handy words to dis
prove that which is utterly fallacious. or re-
tort in the same disengenuous strain in which
"a Member" &C., has done. We have not
felt, nor do we now feel, the least ungenerous
feeling towards him or any one who differs
with us in our views, and we are certain no
such inference can be fairly and legitimately
drawn from our Editorial, much less /" harsh
cpithets," unkind imputations, or disrespect-
full insinuations. OF this charge, by innuen-
do, we Go complain of our Pastquotank Broth
er, but we forgive the injustice, hoping it
was not wilfully made. With these prelimi-
have to make:
We shall not attempt to reply to "a Mem
Der Of Pasquotank Division" in the order
and detail Of his Communication-we leave
every reader to do that for himself-but, in
as few words, and as plainly as possible,
state what we think of the question at issue
between us. We contend that, if, as an in
diUidua!, we feel it our duty to declare VIC
will vote for no candidate who treats to IL
quor or is opposed to legislation for the sup
preston Of the traffic, in the conscientious
discharge Of that moral principle, it is also
cur duty to try and get those with whom we
are associated in Diuisional capacity, to
unite with us in this determination, that our
purpose may be known and understood among
our fellow-citizens. Nor do we conceive such
action would either literally or inferentially
be at variance with the Constitution, laws,
usages or Pledge Of the Order in any respect
whatever, the dictatorial assertions of our
! Correspondent to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. The illustration he has given Us him
self shall serve to demonstrate this Can
is nothing in the Order q that can interfere
: with their civil or religious liberties, and
again, that the obligations they are about to
take, will not interfere with their religious
: or political opinions, be they what they may"
S Very well it is so, and we gladly adhere to
It it and would not have it altered. 4, tho
; whig or democratic candidate for the Legis-
8 lature, favors the passage of such law as
II alluded to above while B, the democratic
;, or whig candidate, is opposed to it. g., who
= belongs to the Division, and is determined
o to vote for no man who is opposed to this
L Legislative aid, is anxious to ascertain how
q many of HE brothren of his waS-of think
= ing, and therefore introduces Resolutions
ie similar to those passed by Gatesyille Diyis-
n ion-they are brought forward, debated and
o' adopted-23 to %. What then? Simply
= nothing more nor less than this, the intro
ducer has found out the views of his breth.
rem on this point, and if he is prudent and
sensible, he will try to convince and win
over others to his side and not deride and
= insult them-but if the %, or even any OF
- those who voted for his Resolutions, should
- on election day vote for him who is opposed
= to legislation, can any ono believe there is
any ground for trial for default of duty in
- such an act? Surely not! Each membor is
- as free to act in the premises as though nc
Resolutions had been passed. If his view:
~ remain unchanged, he votes at the civil bal
lot-box as he did in the Division-if hisopin
- ions are afterwards changed, his vote at the
: former may differ at the latter, and where,
- the harm? The action Of the Division does
not pretend to carry along with it any bind
ing coercion; it is simply declaration o
tar opinion and principle, which it we're idle Il
las declaim against
ng This is all we conceive it necessary to say
ow about the matter We believe the Gates
nd vile brethren right, and we rejoice to know
on that most Of the Divisions in the State enter
!, a tain similar views, and have expressed O.
md will express these views to the public; bu
ith because the members of Pasquotank Divis
his ion, in their judgment, cannot agree will
them and US, are we to impugn their motives
per or speak disparagingly Of their devotion t
ald the Temperance cause? Never: nor ha
'he such an idea ever entered our mind, although
ncs our Correspondent has endeavored to lug il
md such an insinuation as deduciblo from ou
SER article-an insinuation which we repel wit
se1i scorn. We are donc-we have nothing t
mt. say in selflaudation, or in the disparagemer
ble Of others.
Yer- .
THE FAILEN.-That man has been unfol
ms. tunate, and why do you still persist in speal
ost- ing Of his follles or errors lie sees then
0, how wildly and feels their bitterness TOT
It is cruel disposition that leads men
- speak i'll of the fallen and condemn their
,a rors, especially when they confess their fault
H. and are struggling to gain the summit of II
- hill which they unfortunately and unwisel
descended. While he was in pros perity, e