Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-20
(CoNCLUsIoN NEXT WEEK.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF II AGE.
The Prevention of Crime a higher Duty than


An ounce of preventive is worth a pound
OF cure" IS an old saw, which cuts correct
ly. Mr.. Justice Blackstone makes a boast
that the Law of England is so humane and
reasonable as to prefer preventive to puritire
justice. In q report to the New York Legis-
lature, the " Select Committee on the educa-
ton of Street Children" demonstrate the
truth of the principle and declare that 9 it is
the duty and right of every community to
protect itself and secure it's own well be-
ing"
But persons who hold that these great
principles are applicable to the use of liquor
are " fanatics, run-mad enthusiasts, &c.
Wherefore? Is not one portion of the COM
munlty as much entitled to protection as an
other? Or are the rumsellers to monopolize
the aid and comfort" of our Legislature,
whilst the respectable, upright, honest citi-
b bP6Ug @epf ftthY el Bo themm55fhBrfe6f3S av II It hR n ~ihltlb>
crafty of q drunken home-infuence, tocom-
pei them to attend school and teach them
mans duty to his fellow and his God, in the
name of humanity, why is it not right to go
behind the curtains, rob the dread pestilence
maker of his lawful authority and thus
prevent this fearful home-infuence, which
fills the aims house with paupers, the jails
with c~onvicts, the country with scoundrels
and even hell itself with executed crimi-
nails.
Arc these makers and vendors of bald face
whiskey responsible for the crime that floods
the land? Undoubtedly they are. All men
are naturally disposed to bring up their
children in a way that they will at least be
no discredit to Intensely es. No man is ire
sistibly inclined to commit murder, theft,
burglary or the other species of crimes that
are of so frequent occurrence. The first i'm
pressions made on the mind by the contem
: plation ofsuch thingsare wholly averse to Their
J berpetratlOn. The mar must become chang
ed, radically so. Now it is the observation
, of every reasonable being, that the use of in
| tOxicating liquor will make this change
lie who acts as the devils agent astride
: whiskey barrel knows this, and we NAV sup
pose that this fact has even forced itself int
the noodles of the constituency of Messrs M
) d g., of legislative memory. Now it Seem
: fair to conclude that he who does an act, tn
: consequence Of which he knows will be eithe
t murder or theft. is liable to the punishment
: in such case provided. Is not a man liabl
S for the actions of his agent, while dischare
ing the duties of such agency? The poo
c drunkard accepts his charge, the maste
e knows to what it will in all probability lead
and it is hard that the wire-puller goes qui
5 OSall blame, when his dupc must be whir
ped or hanged.
If these fomentors of hatred, misdemear
n Ors and crimes were punished to the full ez
tent of the law, what advantage would it be
1t would not stop the accursed traffic, fl
there are men who would sell their souls fc
Eve cents. They have acquired a fondnes
for the noise, brawls and beauties of grol
shop life, without which they cannot live
n A nd fbpnpb nnpiSh fho rnr1ooJIo~ E.
every offence the drunkard commits, he wi
still sell liquor. What then must we do ?
Ii can be prerented. Say that no man has
right to sell that to his neighbor which wi
e ruin body and soul. Speak the words whic
V conscience has been drumming in your cal
" for your whole life; tell to the world VIII;
humanity cries aloud for proclaim the a
l. most universal sentiment of the good and p
r Gus, and let mankind know that the aim an
desire of your life is, ''Dorn rih the Liqut
IS Traffic."
,e How shall we do this? The doggery-kee
ers ensconce themselves in the "lavful a
sc thority" with which the 'Squires nave clot
S cd them and the Law encourages them. II
f assembled wisdom of the old North Sta
,e wanted to raise a revenue and for this pu
pose gave these glass-rinsers the full and al
pie privilege of making d~runkards, murde
lie ers, ravishers and burglars; of calling int
ic great demand coroners, doctors. lawyers al
le iuries of raising up a housefull of ragge
he ignorant children here and there to follow
n the footsteps OF their " illustrious predece
h sors" to the grocery and the gallows of bni
a ding iails, poor houses and insane asylums
n of erecting gibbets tthe signs of civilization
lc and tho thousand other things that belong
their trade. All this for revenue ! And
IN these are the authorized clerks of the Stat
re we must submit 4!
in There is a way of bringing these monste
to Judgment, or rather of getting rid eff the
ed altogether. Select the right sort of mob
ne hearted men to the Legislature aud let the
Of enact a prohibitory law wipe the foul sta
from our .tasute-book and rid the land Of