Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-07-12
EWARE OF DIVISIONS!

BEWARE OF DIVISIONSl
We feel it to be our duty to warn our Democratic
friends of the dangers with which the is
aced in various quartersby side issues and divisions
and consequent disorganzation. "Forewarned, fore
armed" There movements on foot in severalCoun
ties, the result of which-whatever may be the OBJ
ject-must be injurious to the Democratic cause
unless friends as one man breast these move
ments and stand together for their nominees for the
Legislature.
For our part, so far as the Temperance Reform
proposition is concerned we can see but one course
to be pursued with safety to principles and that
is, to stand uninehngly by Meproperly constituted
and recognized candidates Of the Democratic party
Gentlemen who profess to have this Reform, as it is
called, much at heart, declare that they do not
wish 70 interfere with party organizations. We take
them at their word; and, speaking for oursclf,
citizen and Democrat we have to say, that though
opposed to any law prohibiting the making or vend
ing of ardent spirits, should have no difficulty in
voting for regularly nominated ticket for the AS
sembly, whether that ticket should be divided on
this Reform question, or in favor of or opposed to
the proposition. 1t is question which can have nc
legitimate connection with politics; and by adopt
ing this course, should treat it as we regard it.
as a side or outside issue.
But while occupying this ground let no one say,
for no one say with truth, that we are indfer-
ent to the evils of ntemperance the apoogst of an
unrestricted traffic in ardent spirits. We believe
there no power in the State which prevent the
citizen from making the article; but the regulation
of the sale of it, certainly by second hands is mat
ter Of statute law and the present statute laws of
the State on the subject should be faithfully and
rigdly enforced That they have not been thus faith
fully and rigidly enforced, is matter for regret
among the people of all classes and parties and we
so further and say that if member of the Assem-
bly,, though we should make no specific pledges on
the subject to obtain seat we should be ready at
all times have heretofore been, to cooperate
with gentlemen of both parties in doing what
could, consistently with the Constitutional rights of
the citizen, and with prudent reference to the ad-
vancemcnt Of the of real temperance itself not
only to enforce the present laws but to regulate the
traffic in the article, to obtain the most reven-
and at the same time diminish the evils arising
from the dishonest sale and immoderatc use of ardent
spirits. These, however, Individual opinions
We do not speak as a Democrat CT party man, but
citizen.
What, we ask, is to be gained by deserton of
the ticket to support gentlemen pledged to spe-
cGc measuses of Reform? Nothing, but on the
contrary much may be lost. 1t is not pretended that
the advocates ofspccfc measures. of Reform
ry the Assembly; and if they cannot obtain control
of that body, nothing in this respect be effected.
Those Democrats, then, who are so warmly in favor
of these measures will not only fail to obtain them,
but, by voting for Wings or for Democrats against
their regularly nominated candidates. may weak
the latter as to give triumph to Wings no more
pledged to these specific measures than the Demo
Gratis thus defeated. Who then gains? Why the
Whig party. And what will be the result? 4
Whig State government, and taeo Wig United
States Senator's!
We call the attention of our Democratic friends to
the fact hat the Maine Law issue has been used in
the Northern and Eastern States mainly by and to the
advantage Of tile Hhig party; shall not go into
the reasons of this, but merely point to the fact
Our only safety lies in disregarding all these Reform
issues, and in voting for candidates without
ference to their opinions on this question.
We have no idea of being drawn into discus
sion this subject. We may correct misrcpresen-
tations and repel unfounded charges, but We shall
not be betrayed at time like this into discussion
of an outside issue.
Once say to the Democrats, stand firm,
sustain your nominees, and proud triumph awaits
you. Waver, divide, dsorganize, and the result may
be disastrous You may, in after years, regret that
result and the agency you had in producing it, but
regrets are vain for what is past. "Forewarned,
forearmed."