Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-14
FOR TUE SPIRIT OF THE AGE
LEGISLATION. .

The subject Of legislation, in regard to
the traffic in liquor, is the one that is now
most agitated by the people Of North Caro-
lima. Upon this subjrct temperance men
have, to small extent, been divided III
opinion. Some have advocated restriction
and others prohibition. My object in wri-
tinr this communication, is TO give more full
" nv views upon this subject, which has
hitherto occupied my attention, and to urge
upon all Temperance men the importance of
sustaining the action Of our State Temper
ance Convention. In the first place, what
will restrictive law accomplish In my
opinion il will accomplish much, very much
for the people Of the State. 1t will place in
the hands Of the liquor dealerthe very means
by which he can violate its own provisions.
II will perpetuale the abominable liquor traf-
fc, (sanctioned by law) that has cursed our
State and nation. It will send forth through
out our beloved land a stream Of LIQUID ruin
10 wither the hearts Of tho aged, blight the
prospects Of the rising generation and dis
pensc both temporal and eternal ruin to un-
told millions. 1t will give to our negroes
the means of corruption and thereby entail
upon us heavy pecuniary loss. These are
few Of the evils Of which it will be the all
thor. And what will the State, or people,
receive for the monstrous right which they
have eiyen to the liquor seller? The blood
bought sum of ten dollars Where did this
beautiful, patriotic idea Of restriction origi.
nate Is it Of republican or monarchiea
origin? 1t came from one of the dark cor
ners Of midnight Europe Mark this! q
ve republicans Of the nineteenth century,
In this land Of tyrauts statute was in force
restricting the quantity that should be drank
as a beverage From this land OF inhumar
tyranny came tho unjust, antl.repubhean
Furop,an idea of restriction. 1t Is, there
fore, totally unsuitcd to the genius of the A.
merican people. They arc whole souled anC
republican, both in their feelings and thelI
PRINCIPLES, and will nj saws condemn any suct
asystem of European nonsense. ReStuc
ton belongs to the iron age OF teudal aHs
tocracy and patrician rule. Hence, we se'
that the tendency Of tie restrictive men
To the patrician order and not the pleGian
OF the present day. This is consistent wit
their doctrine which does not view all person
as politically equal
Let US away with this ones sided business O
restrictive legislation. The physical. inielleC
tull, pccuriary and moral ruin that result
from the liquor traffic, cries aloud Cor Prob
bition. The te1rs Of the widow, the cries
orphans and poor bleeding humanity spea
volumes for the utter demolition OF the liquC
traffic. There are two kinds of social evils,
regards the qnor business, one Of which com
under the head Of human the otherdiyine le
islation. Selling liquor is Il social evil, and q
authority to do this is received from Cover
ment, and i, is, therefore, within the power
government to prohibit this sale altogeth'
should it be deemed consonant with the pub
good. Drinking liquor is also socia! ev
but. as the Legislature or government COT
not give the privilege Of drinking to man, 1t
perf.ctly clear that it can not take It away.
Social evils Of this kind, therefore, come
der the head of divine legislation. The ~
islature has nothing to do with them. l
Bible teaches rs TO use nothing that will CAT
a brother 20 offend though il does rot tell
anythinr about selling and buying TINS
very properly left TO human legislation. La