davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
paper

W- For the enlightenment of the Editor
of the Milton Chronicle and others of its ilk,
we will again repeat, that the will of the ma
iority of the peoples decided majority
is what the friends of temperance desire to
secure in favor of the reform now agitating
the State, before any enactment for prohibit
ton is made. But how to gain an expression
of that opinion, has been and is the difficulty
in the way. For a year or two the friends
Of the measure have desired the submission
of the question to the people-but some of
our constitutional lawyers have given it as
their opinion that such q step would be IN
constitutional. Then we proposed resorting
to the good old republican method followed
by our fathers, of memorializing for a re-
dress Of this grievance; but now we are told
this is not a fair way, for imposition may be
practiced by it. Then again we proposed
drawing the lines so that candidates views
IN this question might be known and the peo-
pie vote for or against, as their views might
dictate but here We are estopped by the cry,
"you must not mix the question with cleo
TONS"
Now, in the name of common sense, what
would they have temperance men do? Fol-
low their "jack with a lantern light, just
because they say" We are the friends of
Temperance and the temperance reform ?"-
Such persons must think temperance men
very silly birds but they mistake them
quite. We have endeavored by all honora-
BILE means to prevent an issue being made be
tween our moral and political principles, but
if the alternative be forced upon US, temper
ance men will not hesitate which to adhere
to.
But no captious or ultra spirit actuates tn
temperance men in this movement. IF can
didates will assure US Of a coincident feelin
. with regard to the evils of the liquor trait
and of a willingness on their part to vote
: the next session for some protection there
: from, and also for a Submission of the que.
| ton of prohibition to the people in all GOO
a faith, temperance men will be satisfied wi
: that position and will cast their votes f
s such. But for them to avow an open OPP
r sition to the reform, or refuse to comm
e themselves in any way, and then expect tie
re peranee men to support them merely on p
ty grounds-is asking us to outrage all sen
of propriety, give the lie to all our prof
4, sions and principles, and invite the obloq
lie and contempt that should be visited up
: such dastardly and unprincipled conduct
i; We assure all concerned, once for all, Il
i'd we cannot, and will not SO degrade oursel
n, and disgrace the pure cause we have
IT. poused.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
The Milton Chronicle.


Amid the profound silence manifested by
the political Press generally, the editor of the
Milton Chronicle ventures the opinion that
the time has not get arrived when temper
1nce principles should exercise an influence
in elections. This is the opinion of one man
ten thousand men think differently. To
require candidates to pledge themselves for
prohibition, would result in more harm than
good to the temperance cause, says he. A
very large number of friends to the temper
ance reform think differently. Such a re-
QUESTION is not simply absurd, but positively
founded in error, says the Chronicle, and no
such law should be passed "uAtil a majority
of the voters call for it." Agreed; that's just
what we say, and have said all along. But
how is the will of this majority to be arrived
at? The Chronicle objects to its being ar
rived at by citizens memorializing the legis-
lature, because, f~orsooth, fraud might in this
way be introduced by forging names or in
serting fictitious ones. Such an objection
would bear as well against all memorials,
and if deemed a feasible objection, what
would become of our blood-bought and high
ly praised right of petition, guaranteed by
the lives and treasure of our Revolutionary
forefathers i? The Chronicles hypothesis
proves too much, and like a renowned blum
derbus, kicks its bearer over. The Chronicle
then proceeds with some very ingenious adj
vice to temperance men, as to the course they
should pursue, for which, no doubt, they, in
all humility, return thanks.
!, But the whole gist of the Chronicles OBJ
/; lection is developed at the close of his article
it is going to interfere with party is
sues! And then, by way of arousing the
suspicious of temperance wings, he declares
that nine out of every ten of the temperance
democrats will prove hypocrites and deceiv-
ers on the day Of election !! Such an insult
should be repealed with scorn and indigna
ton, %impugning as it does the faith and hon
or of a class ofmen far above him who coulc
so degrade the press as to publish such
70 sentiment. For one, we know the accuse
,e ton to be false and slanderous, and the vote
in August next will so proclaim it in thunde
% tones, to the little Chronicler. Temperate
ne wings and temperance democrats will b
found true as steel to this question.
TIL honied phrases to temperance whie
will doubtless be duly appreciated by then
he especially when read in connection with tt
insult offered their temperance brethren
Political sentiments divide us, as other mer
but on this great question we are one ar
. an insult offered to one, in this ~connectio
is felt by all, and will be repealed as an q
. tack against a common cause.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
Temperance Men"

1t is astonishing how many friends of
temperance tie present crisis of affairs is
developing throughout the length and breadth
of the land. Every speaker, writer and poll
t%ician, now proclaims himself a friend to
temperance, and desperately afraid that the
temperance men will do something that will
injure the good cause. Every writer opens
his article in opposition to the present move
ment, by declaring himself a devout friend to
the cause every speaker begins his TRADE
Of abuse by a strong declaration of his love
of temperance-indeed, to believe half that
we hear, the only thing the good cause has
to fear, is to proceed from those men who
have devoted years of solicitude and toll to
its advancement. The truth is, temperance
is now decidedly popular and the man who
declares himself opposed to it is nobody.
But when we turn to these deOoted friends,
and ask them to show their faith by their
works-when we appeal to them for their
support in building up and advancing the
great eaase%ss-hich they profess to be SC
devotedly attached-when we ask them tc
help US throw up a breastwork by which We
may repel the assaults of the enemy and pro
tect society from his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ardent friends fall back and say" well, W.
don't know so well about that-take car
that you don't injure the cause" and a hun
dred such excuses, the plain English Of al
which is-We don'G yet know SO well abou
its popularity-if we believed it as popula
as to be simply a friend to temperance, W
could speak out at once. Itmay do for time
serving ~demagogues to talk thus, but IN hor
est, straightforward mar would despise sue
a cringing, cowardly policy. We anticipat
the day when friendship for prohibition wi
be as pompously proclaimed, as is now d,
votion to temperance, per Sc.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

Morals AT WAsHINGToN.-Thc Washing
ton correspondent of the Cleveland Herald,
: otsego,' has the following reference to a vice
that has almost become a feature in the socie-
~ of the national metropolis:
Speaking ofgamblihg: l will say in this
connection, that this ~ruiuous vice or habit
peryadingly prevails in Washington-in pri-
vate rooms and club houses-in hotels and
grog-shOps, rs well as in elegant and attrac-
i've Gambling Saloons where good eating,
drinkingand smoking are gratuitously furnished
the customers-aRd in Hells' less seduc-
tive, scattered all over the city. Tens and
hundreds Of congressman and others, have
been Incidentally ruined in these Internal
holes-hrst visited as n matter Of curiosity,
they are astonished to find men there earn
estly absorbed in gambling, whose characters
TO the public eye are inspected, Champagne,
oysters. canvass-backs, terrapins, aud every
variety Of choice eatables and drinkables, are
spread out in profuse and gratuitous attrac-
hveness. They eat, drink and smoke, and
then only gamble a little so as not to appear
mean-andf from this beginning, fortunes nre
ssquandered, morals corrupted-home and its
blessed influence cease to attract, and degra.
Cation OF men and desolation Of their family
circles are the %inality.'
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
1857.
Agitate.

Some puerile philoso pliers manifest a great
fear at the agitation that is SO grandly prev
alent in this State, and others, in reference
to the demolition of the liquor-trafic. They
seem to think that some awful calamity will
inevitably follow in its wake. If such char
ment we would take some pleasure in stri-
wing to convince them that no harm can pos
sibly result from such an agitation the nat
ural elements are purified and rendered salu-
brious by the sweep Of the storm. A bold
and fearless agitation always sits out the
truth in any mooted question. Paul was a
brave a~Pitator, and in the name Of high Heay-
en-, he blew the Gospel trump, and uttered
whitening denunciations against sin, though
he pald dearly for his temerity. Because be
agitated a great question, he was prosecuted
at Jerusalem, driven from Antioch, stoned
at Lystra, scourged with rods at Thyatira,
and exposed to the fury of wild beasts at
Ephesus. Ard yet his agitations made a
proud Felix tremble, and almost persuaded
a scoffing Agrippa to become a Christian
Suppose somes elfopinionated Jewish or Lys-
%trarian philosopher had approached the good
brave preacher and said to him: Paul, dc
stop this Erahgling agitation, and LEI us have
some rest. What good can grow odt of it r.
Paul would have spurncd such advice as pro
ceeding direct from the devil! Can there
be a cessation of agitation while the world
blighting curse of Intemperance remains t,
scourge, and blight, and destroys No, nev
er !! Let the agitation. go on, gentlemen
Thank Heaven no earthly power can stay tn,
> tide Unpopular enthusiasm bearing down up
on the Parent curse to doom and Destroy
Let the bugle sound a clarion blast from
2 thousand hills r
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

GIFT ENTERPRIsEs.-Judge Woodruff, of
the Superior Court, has decided that the Per-
ham and all similar Gift Enterprises, are
simple attempts to evade the penalty of the
Act to prevent Rafting and Lotteries in
New York" This decision should be borne
in mind by the public, for almost every pa
per in the East teens with tempting offers
of the Gift men," Avoid them as you
would leprosy, or you will be swindled to a
dead certainty.
DF The New York Organ also cautions
the public against a certain 81 weekly paper
proposed to be published in New York, with
any amount of "Girts'' to all who subscribe
for it. The Organ intimatcs that the Gifts
will come up missing, and the paper too, az
ter its projectors have swindled as extensive.
ly as possible.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

The Oldest Book in the United States, it is
said, is a manuscript Bible in the possession
of DIR. Witherspoon, Alabama, written over
a thousand gears ago! He describes it as
follows:
The book is strongly bound in boards of
the old English oak, and with thongs, by
which the leaves are also well bound toget-
her. The leaves are entirely made of parch-
ment, of a most superior quality, of fneness
and smoothness little inferior to the best
satin. The pages are all ruled with great
accuracy, and written with great uniformity
aud beauty in the old German text hand /;
The first chapter of every book in the Bible
is written with a large capital of inimitable
beauty, and splendidly illuminated with red,
blue and black ink, still in vivid eolors, and
no two of the capital letters in the book are
! precisely alike.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
The Candidates.

The Committee appointed to address the
Candidates of this County as to their views
on the resolutions adopted by the meeting
held on the 18th inst, have addressed a res
pcctful note to all such, forwarding also a
copy of the proceedings of that meeting
We presume they will give answers thereto
and as soon as received, we will lay them be-
fore the public. We sincerely hope such re-
plies may be given as will be satisfactory tc
the friends Of reform.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

B Members of the NATIONAL DIVISION
from the Central, Western and Southern
States, who intend visiting the next Session
of that Body, to be held at Saint John on the
18th June prox., are informed that by leav-
ing New York on Saturday the 10th by Rail-
road, at 4 P. NJ, or by Steamer at 5 P. NJ,
taking Railroad at Boston on Monday morn
ing for Portland, and taking Steamer at Port
land at 8 P. M, they will reach St. John on
Tuesday evening the 18th. Fare from New
York-S1l.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

B~ What scene SO melancholy as that of
n young man of promise threading the dark
road of the Incorporate captivel Soon the
bright sky of his life is overcast with clouds
that blind, and the death beacon before him
leads his staggering frame to the pits-his
talents are enervated and destroyed-his NOR
al perceptions are corrupted-the resolutions
of a reformation melt away-and all that is
honorable in manhood sinks beneath the as
saults Of his fatal habit, and the struggles,
the trials, the sorrows, the shame and the
crime of the wretched victim are all hid be-
meath the clods of IN early grave.
We have seen the strong man and the fee
BILE fall before the scythe of the damning pes
thence of drunkenness-there is security for
none that come in the way Of the destroyer ;
the brave intellectual oak spreading its arms
to embrace the blast falls as does the bend
ing reed.
Young man, avoid the temptations of the
syren and the first glass which gives it-keep
beyond the eddies of the whirlpool of drunk
enness, and you will be secure. Risk the
danger and you will be swallowed up. A
few have escaped, but how many bones bleach
around the shrine of the sacrifice How
many homes have been brokenl How many
lost souls have passed through the finty
gates of the ~drunkard's hell and no1s shrek
the Internal chorus of the damned !"
" q. wild is the nath of the son of the sea
Who launches his bark on the perilous tide;
But wilder, by far, is the reef-studded lee,
Where drunkard's mid Of drunkenness ride 2
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
"What harm has it done ?"

To judge from the violent opposition that
the temperance reformation receives in GER
tain quarters, one would suppose it has in
ficted upon society the most deadly injury,
and was more to be dreaded than "war, fam
inc and pestilence." But where can an in
stance be pointed out that it has injured a
single individual upon the face of the earth;
where the man, woman or child that it has
caused to shed one tear of sorrow, or raised
the blush of shame upon human cheek?-
None can be found under the broad canopy
of heaven! Then should not such a cause
commend itself to the hearty appreciation Of
every philanthropic heart? All! and it does.
except where bigotry, %avarice, appetite and
ambition rise up to reject its heavenly mis-
sion. The day of darkness and sel6shness i
fast passing away.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
Second Saturday in June.

We hope the friends Of Temperance will
not forget the meeting to be held at Thomp-
sons Cor Rogers') Store on the second Satur-
day in June-some ten days hence. Let
those in that section make the necessary ar
rangements for providing a place at which to
hold the meeting and let every friend of the
cause, from all portions of this county, be
there to aid in the great work. We expect
to haYe some able speakers to address the
people on TIE subject matters for which the
meeting is called.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
NV Wife is the Cause of it

IT is now more than forty years ago, that
Mr.. L--called at the house of DR..
B, one very cold morning, on his way
Sir said the Docto., 'the weather is
very frosty-will you not take something
to drink before you start? r
In that early day, ardent spirits were
deemed indispensable to warmth in winter.
When commencing a journey, and at every
stopping place along the road, the traveller
always used intoxicating drinks to keep
him warm.
no. said Mr.. III never touch
anything of that kind and l will tell you
the reason my wye IS the cause oft. |
had been in the habit of meeting some of
our n~eighbors every evening, for the pur-
pose of playing cards. We assembled at
each others shop, and liquors were intro
duced. After a while we met not so much
for playing as drinking, and I used to re-
turn home late in the evening, more or less
intoxicated, My wife always met me al
the door afectionately, and when l chideC
her for sitting up SO late for me, she kindly
replied, Il prefer doing 50, for I,canno
sleep when you are out.
This always troubled me. [ wished il
my heartthat she would only begin to scolc
me, for then / could have retoyted, and re
lieved my conscience. But she always me
me with the same gentle and loving spirit
'Things passed on thus for months
when | at last resolved that | would, b
remaining very late, and returning muc
intoxicated, provoke her dispieasure so niue
as to cause her to lecture me, when [ mean
to answer her with severity, and thus, b
creating another issue between us, unbul
then my bosom of it's present trouble.
Il returned in such a plight about fou
o'clock in the morning. She met me
the door with her usual tenderness, an
said, Come in husband I have just bee
making a warm FIRE for you, because [ kne
you would be cold. Take off your boo
and warm your feet, and here is a cup
hot coffee
Doctor, that was too much. I coul
not endure it any longer, and l resolve
that moment, tEat l would never touC
another drop while l lived, and l nev
will
He never did. He lived and died pra
Using total abstinence from all intoxicati'
drinks, in a village where intemperan
has ravaged as much as any other in tt
State.
That man was my father, and that '
man my mother. The fact above relat
| / received from the Doctor himself VII
on a visit to my native village, not 10
4 since.
: May we not safely assert, that, W
there more wives like my blessed moth
!. there would be fewer confirmed drunkar(
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

NP What is the matter with the Mails ?
A gentleman writes us from Lincolnton, that
private transportation could be procured that
would convey mail matter with more speed
than those now in the employ of Uncle Sam,
in the Western part of North Carolina. Our
Correspondent alleges that some Postmasters
allow letters and papers to accumulate in
their Offices until they are really in the way,
before they are sent off, Where such a
state of things exist, complaint ought to be
made to the Postmaster General, that the
grievance may be remedied.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

NIAGARA FALLS "A NoNENTITY.-It is
very surprising, says a late writer, that two
of the greatest natural curiosities in the
world are in the United States, and scarcely
known to the best informed ofour geographers
and naturalists the one is a beautiful fall
in Franklin, Habersham county, Georgia +;
the other, a stupendous precipice in Pendle-
ton district, South Carolina. They are
both family mentioned in the late edition OF
Morse's Geography, but not as they merit. =
Tie Tuccoa fall is much higher than the
Niagara. The column of water is propelled
beautifully over a perpendicular rock, and,
when tie stream is full. it passes down
without being broken. All the prismatic
effect seen at Niagara illustrates the spray
Of Tuccoa. The table mountain in Pendle
ton district is an awful precipice Of nine hun
dred feet. Many persons reside within FIVE
seven, or ten miles Of this grand spectacle
who never had the curiosity to visit it. i
is now visited By curious travellers, anC
sometimes by men of science.
Washington Union.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
LecfSfs6 Appointments.

We would call special attention to the Lee
turers Appointments in this paper. 1t is
earnestly requested that the friends in each
Of the counties named should make out the
appointments in their respective counties and
make them public as soon as practicable, 50
that they may be well known beforehand !;
and then the Lecturers will know how to
travel so as promptly to attend them all.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

GREENsBoRoUGH FEMALE CoLLEGE.-The
last Greensboro Patriot given an account of
the Commencement exercises of this Institu-
ton. Nine young ladies received diplomas
of graduation. The annual sermon was
preached by Rev. NE. Reid the address be-
fore the two Literary Societies was delivered
by G. III. Wiley, Esq. On Commencement
day, Prof. Everheart, of G~ermanton, pro-
nounced an Original Poem before the grad
uating class. The address of Prof. Jones,
who conducted the exercises in the absence Of
the President, is spoken of in high terms
The whole of the public exercises occupied a
little over three days.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

FOURTH OF JuLY.-Edward Cantwell, Esq,
has been chosen by the Committee, and has
consentedtc1eiiver the address in this City
on the ensuing Fourth of July. The commu.
nifty may expect an interesting and eloquent
effort.
We trust the Committee viii first provide
the funds, and then take the necessary steps
for a brilliant celebration-one worthy the
metropolis of the State.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

Touch not, taste not, that which dries up
the pure fountain of health-destrOys reason,
breaks down the misunderstanding shame
on the brow and death on the soul-blunts
the spirit of independence-and casts you as
a burden upon the fears or the charities of
the people. If you dislike the poor-house as
a habitation, avoid that which peoples its
rooms with disease and poverty. Be free!*
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
RALEIGH, q. G.
Wednesday, May 81, 1854,
A Positive Arrangement.

Stbscribers r~eceiring their papers Nth a red mark,
are thereby notified that an four t0eeks from the re-
ceiptsef the first number thus marked, their subscrip-
ton gears tgiH expire and unless rene,oed a0ithin
that time, thepaper nil be discontinued. This rule
will be infeci6L4 adhered to.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

BF Read the encouraging accounts given
by our Lecturers in this paper, from the
portions of country in which they have been
travelling. Te1ly. the day dawneth and
from this year an era will be begun that
shall liberate the Old North State from the
liquor scourge.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

Br The Richmond, Va, To-day" an
nounces that Charles Irving, Esq, since his
difficulty with P. S. White, Esq, has Joined
the Sons Of Temperance at ~Lynchburg. Mr..
I. is Editor of the Republican, published at
that nlace.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

b- The G. S. Acknowledges the receipt of
the following contributions to the Lecturers
fund, since the last notice given: Nutbush
Div. SO; Lexington do. $40; Jno. Coulter.
g: Two friends 81 KNAPP of Reeds Div. SIS
Pleas. Mt. do. So: SmithReld Div. SO. mem-
bers and citizens Of do. $40.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

SUIcIDE.-We learn that Maj. A. G. Banks,
a highly respectable citizen of this County,
committed suicide on Thursday morning last.
He cut his throat, and died in a few minutes
Cause, said to be mental arrangement.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

IT is now more than forty years ago, that
Mr.. L--called at the house of DR..
B, one very cold morning, OF his way