Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-02
Extract of a letter, dated

Extract of a letter, dated
New BERNE, July 21st, 1854.
1t affords me pleasure to inform you that we had
a visit from Rev. A.. J. Battle, lecturer for this dis
trict, on the 18th ult., who proceeded to deliver a
lecture on the same evening, on the constitutlonallty
of a prohibitory liquor law. His audience was re-
spectacle both in numbers and intellect, and his
lecture was what we consider O very strong and un-
answerable argument in favor of the constitution
ality of such a law, and must naturally result in
convincing many who had been heretofore opposed
to his views, of the error of their position on this
subject. True, there were not as many sceptics on
this point for him to operate upon, MS thcro~wcro bel
fore we had the lecture Of G. w. P. Deems, but
there were those present who did not have the
pleasure of hearing him, who heard and were no
doubt informed and convinced by the arguments of
this last lecture. I should think his manner Of
treating his subject was we'll calculated to reconcile
any disaffected on this point, both in and out of the
temperance organizations, and convince them of
the reasonableness of his position on this subject
also to allay the almost inevitable excitement that
has taken place in almost every county where the
proper position has been taken by the friends of the
temperance reform, causing an opposition to this
movement from some quarters that were least ex-
pected, and from others more natural in its charac-
ter, proceeding as it does from interest, prejudice
and a strong dislike on their parts to favor any
movement, (however beneficial it might prove to
the mass of the community which would have the
tendency to interfere with their habits and conse-
1uent notions of liberty and rights. The lecturer
proceeded the next morning after his lecture to-
wgards the lower parts of the county, with some un-
certainty as to the number If lectures he can deiv-
erin this county, caused by his first days failure to
speak in this place according to appointment, but
he no doubt will do his best to further this most
beneficial movement.
I wrote you in my last of the position of the
temperance question in this county, which is to
have the subject of a law submitted to the people
for aR proval all the candidates for the Legislature
occupy this ground before the people, consequent
of which position of the 8 question 1 suggested to
Mr.. Battle whether it was consistent with it, to en-
deavOr to get signers to the memorial which are now
published, he thought it would be a mere wish on
the part of the signers for reform on this point, but
/ still had my doubts of its eXpediency here at this
time; still [ have no doubt a good many names can
be procured to these memorials, but a much larger
number can be got for a memorial of the kind
which I enclose, to submit to your judgment.
To the He&orabLe the General Assembly
of the State of North Carolina !:
The undersigned most respectfully petition your
Honorable Body for the passage of an Act, submit
ting to a vote of the people either by counties or
the State at large, the ~propriety Of the passage OF a
law prohibiting entirely the traffic in Intoxicating
liquors i'm the counties or State at large, for other
than saer4mental, medicinal or mechanical purpo-
seS-
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Mr.. EDITOR Through thecolumns of your
most excellent paper, we wish to give a brief
sketch of a Temperance meeting held at
LilesVille last Friday. Tie good ladies Of
the neighborhood had agreed to prepare a
pubic dinner for the occasion, and Luke
Blacknrer, Esq, of Salisbury, waste address
the people Quite a respectable number Of
the citizens assembled and Bro. Blackmer ad'
dressed the people. We would be more than
glad that you had a manuscript of his speech
to publish to the world it was a great speech
In speaking of legislation, he said he did mo-
want a Maine liquor law, nor a Mississippi
liquor law but he wanted a North Caroline
liquor law, just such an one as she needs
and just such an one as her sons are capable
of making. And so we say too.
Bro. A. Little followed with a short bu
very interesting address, quite edifying t.
the friends of humanity.
The crowd vas then invited to a long an
we'll furnished table, where was to be foun,
every thing good, served up much to the cred
it of the ladies who prepared them. Ate
all had participated, Bro. j. P. Smith wa
called for, who arose and addressed the pee
pie in a very forcible and eloquent manner
Thus closed the exercises of the day.
A SPECTATOR.
R- We are indebted to Messrs. E. /.
Hale & Son for a neatly printed pamphlet G
80 pages, entitled { Hints on the Internal In
provement Of North Carolina {; respectful
addressed to his countrymen by a North Care
linian.' Accompanying the pamphlet is a
outline Map of the State, exhibiting the plan
of improvement suggested. The informatio
contained in the pamphlet, apart from the en-
lightened and able views of the writer in SUI
port of his hints should commend it to th
perusal of the people of the whole State.
The second edition of this pamphlet ha
been printed by E.. ]. Hale &Son. Fayetteville
: and is sold at 10 cents for a single copy; s
per dozen S. per 100.