Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-12
FANATICS"

The application of this harsh term, to the
Memorialists, by Mr.. Green ". Caldwell,
the Senator from Meckienburg and Union,
has entered the soul Of many Of his friends,
feeling it to be as untruthful as it was unkind
and uncalled for. We can but think Mr.. c.
has regretted the expression, as one doing
violence to the character of many of his own
constituents. II, however, he is sincere in
his application of the offensive appellation,
we would ask for a hearing, to see if temper
ance men are not justified by the startling,
horrid reality of the evils of intemperance, in
making strenuous efforts to rob the foul de-
stroyer Of its thousands Of victims annually?
Let him look around him and go back in
memory to his youthful days-and coming
up to the present time, note how many homes
it has desoiated and how many parents rob
bed Of the sweet promise God gave in their
children. Let him look around and see there
an old friend, and there, and there, and re-
member when their wives and children we're
around them, and ask-where are they now?
Let his thoughts 60 wandering back to the
oldentime," and see in imagination the bright
hearth-fre now e~xtinguished, and hear the
voices Of children now hushed forever, andre
member that rum, vile alcohol has caused all
this rutland then ask himself if they are
worthy the opprobious term fanatics" be
cause they wish to rid the country Of the foul
curse.
II may be that Mr.. Caldwell has not suf
fered from the ravages Of Intemperance, but
if he had passed through the SORROWS and an
guish that millions have endured, we think
he must nave been an enthusiasts "fanat-
ic" ifhe will-in his efforts to stay its pro
gress.
Lit us give the bitter experience Of one
- Hrru rnen ask ourselves if his zeal foI
the suppression of the vice and of uprootine
all agencies for It's promotion should not meet
with the sympathy and aid of every right
thinking, humane mind in the land:
"Ten years ago a youth of the brightest
promise stepped confidently upwards, and
set his foot on the firm earth ofmanbood. III
had education, talents, industry and GOOD
principles. But he lacked an element Of
satety-he had not a deeply-fxed an tagonism
towards all forms of intemperance:-indeed
he rather regarded the advocates of temper
ance as fanatics. And he was not SO much
to blame on this account, for his own father
IN whom he confded, kept liquors in his side
board, used them himself and set them out
in mistaken hospitality before his friends.
We'll, this young man went on well 66Btartent
in a few years. His frequent visits to taverns
brought him into contact with dangerous
companions. Drinking was followed by its
usual consequences, idleness and the two
united in speedily working his ruin.
Zone night, two years ago, l was return
ing home from a visit to a neighbor. It was
dark, for heavy clouds obscured the sky, and
there were all the indications of a rapidly APP
preaching storm. Presently, lightning began
to CLEAN out, and thunder in the distance.
| was, perhaps, aquarter Of a mile from home
when the rain come down in a fierce gust Of
wind. The darkness was now so intense.
that | couldnotsec five PAGES ahead but, aided
by the lightning, | obtained shelter beneath
alarge tree. l had been there only a few
moment when a human groan came upon
myears, chilling the blood back to my very
heart. The next fash enabled me to sec, for
an instant the PROSTATE form of man. He
lay close to my feet. was for the time, par
alyzed. At length, as fash after flash rem
dered the figure m%omcntly visible, and groan
after gToan awoke humane feelings, | spoke
aloud. But the only answer was that contin-
ued moan, as one in mortal agony. l drew
nearer, and bent over the PROSTATE body.
Then, by the lightning's aid, | knew it but
too well. 1t was, alas! my orn son!
"Itookh him in my arms, and with a strength
given at the time, carried him home. l was
from the moment o~frecognition, unconscious
of storm or darkness. Alasl when laid him
upon his WI bed, in his own room and locked
eagerly down into his face, that face was ri
gid in death. If am a cold water fanatic,
here is my apology. Is it notalLsuficient?"
Yes, let the reply be, the apology is more
than sufficient. | take back the words un
wisely spoken. Withsuch an experience a
man may well be pardoned for enthusiasm.
five knew all that some advocates of tenn
perance have suffered, we might well pardon
an enthusiasm that, at times, seems to verge
On fanaticim. Tkeyhave felt the curse
they have endured the pain-hey know the
monster vice in every phase OF its hideous
deformity. No, we need not wonder at their
enthusiasm the wonder should rather be
that it is not greater.