Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-03-16
FOR TIE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The DUTY Of the People.

In former communication. Mr.. Editor,
| barrel y stated my position in relation to
temperance and politics. [ now desire to
give. more fully, my reasons for the position
which | then took, and also to give the rea
sons why l think all patriots should occupy
the same position. We have used moral
suason until it has effected nearly its ALL so
far as the traffic is concerned. The time for
pathetic and philanthropic appeals to liquor
dealers has passed. All those who will still
vcnd the poisonous beverage must be reach
cd by something harsher than moral suasion.
10 reason with such men, would be an act
that might well be compared to that of Xerx-
es, when he commanded the rocks in the
Hellespopt to remove, in order that his feet
might pass without danger. This naughty
monarch possessed SO much power that he
thought every thing should obey his COM
mands. So, likewise, has king alcohols
power reached such pitch that, notwith.
standing he is spreading death. paupersm
and crime over the land, he still has, through
the influence cf the Legislature of North
} Carolina, his vile angels stationed in various
portions of the State, to deal oat death and
} damnation to its constituents, and thereby
people the Internal regions below, over which
Pluto reigns.
Looking with the utmost horror upon such
a state of things, and believing as | did that
it was duty incumbent upon me, both as
citizen of North Carolina and as a patriot
to do my utmost to pat down the liquor traf
? 6c which caused it, | took the position ha
did ; believing it to be the most efectua
= mode by which my object could be accom-
+ pIished. To sever the ties of party is yer,
r hard, but hope We will all have the mora
courage TO do it, when justice and humanit,
e demand it. The overthrow of the Iquo
traffic is Of more Importance than all part
S politics and when VIC contemplate that tn
o next Legislature will have but little polit
It cal business to do, the last having laid O
the State into Senatorial and Congressiona
: District and apportioned the House of Con
/ mons, we feel that we can all relnquish tn
G ties of party, and vote for justice, and fc
Is right. This is sacrifice which we must ur
n dcrgo, or be defeated What patriot is ther
d who is not willing to give up the ties OF pa
sr ty, for the interest of his country? F(
II what were parties formed? Simply aud en-
= phatically for the good of the country
a then, parties were formed for the good of tt
III country, and they oppose principle whic
T. we all admit to be of more importance ths
$ all parties combined, it behooves US, as p
h. triotic members, to sacrifice those parties
7. need be, and vote for the men who are f
Il their country, and not for party and self.
IN 1t is, Mr.. Elitor, the duty of the People
is take this firm and patriotic position, al
rs thereby protect themselves from the innur
crabc wrongs which they have hitherto ST
I'd fcred. The politician, whose interest is q
N grandized by this soul-deStroying, hello
re serving liquor traffic, will seldom be fou
US to advocate the cause of bleeding humani
tn when it comes iC contravertion with his o1
ID, political advancement.
xt We see, then, that we, the people of Nol
er- Carolina, must first move in this cause or
ID. will fail to triumph. When the sovereigns
cn our State shall will that this traffic shall
Sc abolished, their viii! must and shall be ODE
ae- cd. live will combine and concentrate {
~ efforts in the accomplishment of om patri
we &c object. we can. and we will triumph
ie' the other hand if we allow party to lead
se' astray' we will be unworthy of triumE
IN and unworthy of the inestinable benei
pa which It would confer. Let US then un
'uS In the laudable effort to obtain the abolit
0" OF this foul traffic, upon the paincipic Il
'us VIC Will support no man for the Legislatl
snt OF North Carolina who is opposed to 0
ag' hibitory law. If we are too unpatriotic
take this independent position, We will
lro ceive a defeat as we'll as merit il.