Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-03
Refreshing Sign.

We find in the Georgia papers, 4 copy of a
letter, written by Ex-Gov. GILMER, of Geor-
gia, on the Temperance question, which we
would respectfully recommend to the attention
of those Editors in North Carolina who took
such pleasure inlaying the views of Gov. Sey-
mour, of Connecticut, before their readers
Here are the sentiments of a Southern Ex-
Executive, who is doubtless as good a patriot
and enlightened Stateman as his Northern
cotemporary-will our North Carolina Edi-
tors give his able and patriotic letter to their
readers, so that they may see both sides Of
this question.
1t is really refreshing, and gives token of
. the better time a-coming," to see one who
has so long occupied the most prominent
political positions in his State, rising superb
or to the cringing, selfish policy which poll
tieians generalpursue and coming out boldly
in favor of law, order and good government,
regardless Of the croakings and hootings of
the birds of prey who infest the hastings of
the country. May VIC have more to initiate
this noble example. We shall publish this
noble letter in full hereafter for the present,
we have only room for the following extract
Gov. Gilmer p~refaces his letter by saying
he does not belong to any Temperance society
and never did. The following is the con-
clusion of his admirable letter
The candidates for the legislature who arc
still strong in the faith, that the devil End
the grog-shops are more popular with the
people than God and the country, and that
electioneering with half-pints will get more
votes than doing what good men desire, are
led into their mistake, by the triumphs OF
the dram candidates in former times, when
whiskey was drank by every body when
the bible was q novelty when schoolmasters
got drunk; when preachers, whilstthey point
ed out the straight and narrow way, some.
times followed in the recling tracks Of their
focks; when the special treat given to a
visiting neighbor was to draw out the bottle
when merchants encouraged the people to
buy decanters of whiskey upon their counters:
and when or muster days, election DAYS,
and court days, every one considered it a
mark of regard to drink with his ~neighbor.
! If the whiskey candidates will but look be.
yond their noses, they will see that the bible
is now in every house that the old life long
"a hS1A "lO al SOIC ,-CudG IIIC DItdCllcL
word comes from lips unpolluted by whiskey
that our teachers are the sober men of oul
country that the neighbor who now offer;
whiskey bushes from the consciousness o.
the wrong done that the decanter has beer
taken away from the counter lest solvent mer
; should be kept away from the store and thc
candidate for the legislature who offers thu
; half-pint to a voter, is eyed as a fit person Il
{ be sent elsewhere.
The time is rapidly passing away, if no
t already gone, when the old may lead tn
. young to dram-shops when fights between
neighbors in cups make delightful amuse
ment for the crowd when the Legislature
:, can sell the inheritance of the people 70
brides, and members cannot read the law
which they help to pass.
Men have the power to discern good from
evil. And yet with all the aids which the
i can call to their assistance, they find it di
h fcult to do right. Will the dram drinker
strive to continue the temptation whic
i when INDUCED in, fuddles the brain beyon
T d~iscernment.
In ancient times when Kings wanted none
they sold licenses to commit crimes. Shal
our Republic, in these enlightened time,
= grant licenses for money to evil doors to Sc
what excites to the commission of the mo-
fragrant offences
Very respectfully,
GEORGE r. GILMER.