Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-18
What is to be done?

During this week, the friends of Tehper-
ance will be convened in thi. City. to deiber- 4
ate upon the means bess adapted b ad-
vance the good cause, ana infuse fresh life !
and energy among the raESs of its advocates. /
There will be doubtless a invocation VI men
we'll prepared to act in maters so important,
and who will be well calculated to. psy:note
the great ends proposed. Way wisdom and
good ~counsels prevail.
The Grand Division will of course consult
more intimately upon the interests aad d.
rection to be given to the Order of the Sons
of Temperance. And this should cal. forth
the most patient investigation and decisive
exertion. Owing to various l.aG ses, ruch of
the interest and enthusiasm heretoforaAtten-
dant upon the action and character of the
Order, seems to have subsidized, and a cohness
and an apathy has followed, that must be
dispelled, in order to restore the efficiency
and usefulness Of former days. To ourminds,
nothing can be better calculated to effect this
desirable end, than having in the field an
energetic, able Lecturer, or two, to devote
themselves chiefly, ifnot altogether, tothe inte-
rests of the Order-to re-energising the Divis-
lions. reviving those that may have become
extinct, gathering in recruits to the great
army, and in all other manners building up
its interest and prosperity. Latterly other
considerations have too much usurped the
place of these, and the consequence is that
the main lever to success has in that measure
suffered thereby. This error must be cor
rected.
New elements of attractiveness and useful
ness will doubtless be engrafted at this ses-
sion, and with proper efforts, we may the
ensuing year see the Sons of Temperance
occupying the high and useful position o.
former years. Let the right men and means
be employed, and we have not a doubt Blu
our dearest hopes may be accomplished ii
this respect.
1t has been proposed, also, to hold a Tenn
perance Convention, to settle upon L platform
of action in order to procure the passage of
law by our next General Assembly. to leay
the question of allowing the sale of arden
spirits within the respective School District
of the State, to the citizens resident therein
The proposition is a reasonable and just ont
and if judiciously managed and disposed o
may be the means of accomplishing that d.
sirable end. We see that applications wi
be made for the passage of private laws j
favor of certain towns and villages, and "
have no doubt many School districts wi
ask for similar protection anu it does see
:, to US that the Legislature would prefer Il
, passage off general law, embracing the who
: State, leaving the subject at the disposal
| the majority Of the citizens. The people,
: at least a very large number, and in maj
: places amounting to large majorities, are {
termined to agitate, petition and remonstra
: until some protection is offered to socie
from the sore evils incident upon the liqu
traffic; and so equitable a manner of settli
the question upon so just and republican
n plan. cannot fail to meet the concurrence
a majority of our law makers.
: 1t will thus be seen that weighty evel
!, may depend upon the action of the frier
# of Temperance this week. We trust that
% responsibilities thus devolved may be n
e with calmness, prudence and frmness a
d that from their deliberations may 90 70,
d an impulse that shall quicken and re-invi
h rate the temperance ranks from one end
L. the State to the other.