Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-07-20

z Willingness to defeat 1t, 1T it depended upon our
Vote. Now, what will that brother think when l
tell him that among the so or go members OF our
Division, there are not more than three or four who
are opposed to the liquorlaw, as it is called and |
know of but one who is decidedly against it. And
he would publish it abroad throughout the en-
tire circulation of the cage" that Pasquotank Di-
vision is opposed to the law, and is less willing Ito
remove from among US the greatest evil that afhicts
cur land,' than thousands are who are not con-
nected with Temperance" This Isl SANDER upon
our Division, that1s unauthorized by any action Of
ours. Whilst this Division are almost unanimously
in favor of legislation, and would like to see a law
entirely prohibitory, yet alarge majority deny both
the right and expediency of passing resolutions
its members to favor the one or the 9TH
and more especially interfering with their polit-
zeal votes. And in taking this position, they are
NOS aetuated b. a "~cringing policy that shrinks
from an obvious duty" The duty to trample under
foot the fundamental principles of the Order and
to violate the political rights of its members, in or
der to advance a favorite Temperance measure, Is
not so ObUious to our dull minds, although it seems
to be SO clearly risiBte to others.
Had that good brother been fully impressed with
a sentiment he frequently hears eXpressed-"that it
IS expected that different matters win strike differ
emit minds in q variety of forms" he would have
been willing to accord honesty of purpose to those
who are pursuing different plans to accomplish the
same object that his Division has in view. Hoping
that this communication will place our Division it its
proper light, l take leave of the subject.
PASQU0TANK.
las the arguments of our Correspondent are in
conflict with our published views on the matter in
CONTROVERSY, we will make a few remarks on one
or two of his positions He contends that the pas
sage Of such Resolutions as those adopted by Gates
vile Division, arc at variance with the fundamen-
tai principles of our Order, and yet he contends
that the violation of such Resolutions BY a dissent
;o~ r,ao,bo~ ,Ao,fJ ;r-,oIro 80. ~, -
expulsion from the Order. Our good brother must
know that if a Grand or Subordinate Division pass
any acts in contravention to the Constitutions or
principles of the Order, they are void
and of no effect! How, then, could a member
DC arraigned for disregarding an illegal act, as he
contends this is?
Asain-Legislative bodies frequently pass Reso-
buttons as to the constitutionality or unconstitution-
atty of certain measures. There are generally two
parties, both in discussing and voting upon them.
One succeeds in carrying or defeating them. Must
the minority, because they are out-voted by the ma
jority, surrender their opinions and go out and do
battle on the side of the majority, upon the ground
that "Majorities rule 2" Strange doctrine this ;
and yet such is the argument of Pasquotank.
Ed. AGE.
Mr.. EDITOR AS one of your Subscribers
and a member of the Sons of Temperance, [
trust you will pardon me for making a sug-
SScNAOA OhN i1IS lax DhO1lSIIlOAO " 1GGSO-
lutionS on the death of mem ers of the Or
der, and le- gthy Obituary Notices. | know
that it is customary for Divisions to pass
Resolutions of sympathy and coincidence and
expressive of the worth of the deceased broth
or this is all right and proper, and ought
not to be neglected but | thin furnishing
the surviving friends with a copy of them is
amply sufficient, without publishing them in
detail In the papers-for the following rea-
sons-lst, they are all couched in pretty much
the same language, and arc therefore dull
and monotonous ID, they occupy a consid-
cradle space, that might be much more prof
tably employed ; and Sd, a simple synopsis
of the Resolutions, (such as you give some
times when pressed for room) answers every
purpose, and should be satisfactory to all
concerned and | think if you will adopt
this course, it will be much more acceptable
to your readers, generally.
MANY SUBSCRIBERS.
The remarks of our Correspondent above
are in consomance with the views of many
who have spoken to us on the subject. We
have long entertained similar views, but fear
ing we might give offence, we have publish
cd such matters at length, when the state OF
our columns would permit. Acting upon
the suggestion made in the foregoing, we
shall in future, however, giveth gjst, or sub
stance, of such Resolutions, instead of pub
fishing them in detail, as they are passed
by Divisions making them sufficiently ex.
explicit to cover the ground embraced in
tho proceedings of the Division. We hope
this arrangement will please all, as it is
our desire to do.-ED. AGE.