Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-06

from we'll grounded principles, and happily
for us they do, for it is to them we are in
debted for that ~benignant and conservative
influence which holds together the distracted
elements of our widespread union, and keeps
it from being rent asunder. But the balance,
who are they Wire ecorkers, office seekers,
and a~spirants 10 high stations! and here we
find the men upon whose heads every thing
that is filthy, odious and detestablb in party
ism, should fall without mercy, for they, are
the UiS a tergo that send the impure currents
of the life blood through the putrid veins OF
prrty.
The existence of parties is necessary to
the wholesome operation of all governments,
but there is a limit beyond which party rage
should never extend. At this time, there
are but two parties of any note in this coun-
try, and the issues between these are of a
national character, and have little to do with
State Legislation. Bat Notwithstanding, let
any question Of reform be proposed, however
much for the good of the people or the State,
and unless it can become incorporated either
as q Wing or Democratic measure, it is at
once pronounced fanGtica{, and straight-way
must be inundated upon the block Of party
ism. In this age Of progress must such
questions as Temperance be kicked out Of the
Legislature, simply because it is no part of
the creed of Wings and Democrats Are
these parties immaculate? And does their
different views upon Bank, Tariff, Public
Lands, Internal Improvements, &C., make up
in sum and substance a catholicon for all the
wants of a numerous, prosperous, intelligent
and thriving people? The present aspect
of parties in our State seems to favor the
suppositlOn. Indeed, it is enough to dis
hearten the consideration and enthusiastic
Temperance man, when all these things stare
l him in the face ard when | say conscien-
tt0lGS, l allude to the man, who has taken
hold Of the subject with an eye single to the
innumerable blessings and benefits resulting
) from it, not only for himself, his Division or
his county, hut for the rh0le people Of his
l State. For it is q fact incontrovertible, that
: if Temperance be blessing for q single in
e dividual, it must be for a neighborhood and
{ if for a neighborhood, for a county and if
c for a county, for a State ; and if it be a
: blessing for the State, then it must be equal
y a blessing for the achoie people. And how
any real lover of Temperance can regard the
r subject in any other light, is really Q myste.
. ry to me. But apropos, how stand the TEN
perance men in North CaroIin1? Some are
wire workers, Office seekers, and aspirants tc
S high stations, and the large majority of the
balance are afraid they will injnre the Party.
O! save us from our friends Had not such
s men better be out of the Order than in it, fol
T. the good they do? Can we ever accomplish
D any thing while carrying such deaf lug
gage? Why, sir, 81 speak from the book
| have seen all sorts of milk and water Tenn.
: perance men. l have heard members of the
d Order make solemn declarations as to what
they intended to do in the ensusing Elections
u and in q little while [ had seen the party drum
mer after them; and then upon the dav ofElec
ction, | have seen all their protestations ant
philanthropy buried deep in the dust, undel
the very fool-st9ol Of partyism. Look, fo
example, to a late controversy between tn
Is Editors Of the Warrenton News* and n. G
Patriot. Both Of these Gentlemen, l suppose
are members of the Order, and from VIVA
D. little | have read of the controversy-(for
H%onfe3s 1 have seen but little of it, it appear
that each has set himself up as the champion
y II Drunkenness and is charging down upol
d the other, hot and heavy, the foul, odious an
IA t. blasting crimeof favouring the Temperate
IT. Memorial to the last Legislature:
= ooh! wad some power the giftie 5ie us,
l" To see oursel as others see u.s."
VI The subject of Temperance is one whic
should be of paramount consideration wit
-, the people of the North Carolina Just at tn
time. Other questions of reform dwindl
80 down to utter insignificance beside it; and
is my candid belief that even a small modif
cation Of the Liquor License Law, would e,
hibit, in its practical operations, results s
s~alutary and wholesome to the community
our State, thatthe strongest opposition woul
melt away, as flakes of snow before the geni
H. beams of the bright god Of day.
if But, Mr.. Editor, with q Legislature mac
he up of political Hucksters aping the Parliame
&C. tartan, and glorying in the exalted motto,
elmo ~Uerit0S, we can expect nothing. I'll
n time is already at hand when we should a
of sert our rights at the Ballot Box, and tea(
to Legislative aspirants thatthe mere fact ofol
al being Temperance men should not stulti
ny our voice in the councils of the State. T,
one, | do not wish to mix Temperance wi
ne Politics" for | can conceive of no greater de
ar- %ecration of that noble rirtue than such a M
)se ley alliance. And the Memorial to the Ia
nd Legislature was py1mqtdcie evidence that t
- Temperance men throughout the State soug
he no such utilization.
emit Some few years ago the people were call
&C. upon at the Polls to say Penitentiary or \
on Penitentiary; and did any one charge t
movers Of this measure with ulteriOr pa
ub- designs; or with an intent to break Town
It | parties? Can Temperance be introduced
Der an independent measure of reform, witho
sed being soiled by partyism? And if it cam
then wemaya as wellsay othepeOpleO four St;
to AWAY with yournotions ofreform, fortheys
oeo- motto be foundinthe Text Books of Whigery a
tie Democracy. Oh! exclaims some sage g
col tleman, who expects to so to the next He
Of C~ommons,--"I am in favour of Temp
?" ance, but l fear you are destined to beco
ink an Engine of Political Pomer!" Well, d.
lear me! amt that q clinchcr? Should the S.
ac- of Tcmperance ever throw their weight in
ira scale of political influence, it will be beca
ntil d~emagogues and atyranicaI Legislature, h
re- forcedthe alternative upon them. The Il
t. perance men in North Carolinaha as MI
DRY, interest in the welfare of the State as
sim other class of men, and so far as | can
gerry they are just as patriotic and intelligent
lima Then why so much dread and horror at
Car idea of their possessing Pouer and Lnfuea
: To Look in your own hearts, and you will
hing what it is thatis. ''rotten in denmark" If
- should ever be concerted into an Engine
fer litical, patriotic, or philanthropic-we prom
All this much-that with Ties of Temporal
lntry I iron of Benevolence. and Spikes of Br,
ease erly Love, we will build the magnificent /
lg or Road of !Sobriety, over which our Engine s
be pass, carrying all who may take pass
Bob with Joints whole and bones unbroEnn IN