Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-16
The Recent Election.


While the politicians are surveying the
ate battlefield and counting the killed and
Honnded-the losses and gains-we will take
! cursory view Of the conflict in those coun-
where the Temperance Reform has been
to much extent intermixed with the election
Of members Legislature. It is true
that the lEis6B movement coub hard
ly expect to accomplish much in this the first
campaign that the matter has been brought
tangibIy before the public; and, added to
the fact that the great political Importance
depending upon the next General Assembly,
was we'll calculated to draw off many friends
of the cause and induce them to serve their
respective party purposes it is not surpris-
ing that no greater success has attended the
effort. Yet, even under such considerations
there is more tc give cause to hope for final
triumph, than to induce despair.
Speculation as to the causes that have led
to defeat where we had bped for success,
and criminal n towards hose of whom we
had expected a different plicy than the one
they have pursued, would be as proftless for
good, perhaps, as it would be in changing
the result of things. That many have been
led away from the issue by the influence of
party zeal and anxiety, who will regret it
upon ~atnoaaealm consideration of the mat
ter, we haV not a doubt, and upon another
trial they vii prove true and unswerving.-
There are others who have not the moral
courage to Feak off from party alliances, to
carry out ag object, however good and com
mendable il may be.
"They kn,vw the right, and they approve it too
They see the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue
Perhaps, some earthquake may yet arouse
them-when the dark pillows Of the whiskey
flood shall roll in waves of liquid fire over
their own household and burn and destroy
all that is dear and lovely there, then such
may be made to feel the storm they coul(
only see afar Of, and rouse them to action
Some men can only be reached by the soul
whitening influence Of evil at home.
We have an abiding confidence in the jus
tice and power of the cause of Reform, tina
will ultimately lead to victory final and com
plete. We see nothing in the recent contes
to cause us t5'reiax our efforts, but on tn
contrary, every thing to stimulate US to ri
newed exertions in the cause ofRight. Hitt
erto we have been too much divided in ser
timent as to Uhat kind Of Reform-to wis
extent, of what nature-we intended to mai
at the ensuing session. Thus our purpose
and designs have been grossly misrepresel
ted and perverted by our enemies, and mar
good men have taken sides against as. v
must be united upon a judicious, wholeson
reform, and have candidates in every count
who will maintain and defend our position
then may we expect the people to have a ia
understanding of the movement, and in
other way.
Below we give a summary of the standil
of the cause of Reform in the counties name
so far as we have been able to learn the fact
GATEs.-Mr. Eure, Commoner elect fro
this County, took strong ground il favor
Uue rvrnpxTasS0 HUroSmS Unu 10 vrTOucu
the handsome majority of SO. Mr.. Willie
the Senator elect also took the same groul
with Mr.. Eure. The Sheriff elect, A. Hi
Esq, is a Son Of Temperance and is elect
by the handsome majority of 90. The t.
former are wings and the latter a democri
Huzza for Gates.
CRAvEN-C. B. Wood, Senator, and S.
Chadwick, Esqrs, Commoner, the form
democrat and latter wing, are both Sons
Temperance, and elected upon the princil
of submitting the question of Reform to t
People, as was also Geo. Green, Esq, the 0
er Commoner. All honor to Craven in til
speaking out upon the Republican princi]
of letting the people rule.
RoBEsoN.-We learn that in this count,
majority of 100 was given in favor of a p
hibitory law, a box being open as in Orar
county. Tbs was a glorious result but
arg as s7Gss 81 Understand how Mr.. Tr'
5 the only avowed candidate in favor of
! measure, was defeated by a majority of l
, There is no man, perhaps, in the county, "
, has contributed more to the elevation of p
, lie sentiment in Robson, and to the v
given for prohibition, than Robert E. Tr
: Esq; and we deeply regret that the ca,
will not have him in our Legislative halls
defend and sustain it. But though defe
r ed himself, it is a source of unalloyed sa
faction to know that the cause Of Reform
been nobly sustained by the votes Of
countymen.
: CALDWELL.-We announce with the gre
est pleasure the defeat of E. P. Miller, Fl
this county, who in the last session of
q Legislature denounced the friends of T.
perance as unworthy to be called the G
citizens of North Carolina" We recei
: i~nformatiou, some months since, that
? friends of reform would run Gen. S. F.
), terson against him and we congratulate
friends in Caldwell upon the election G
man who will be an honor to them in
Councils of the State. Gen. P. signed
Memorial to the Legislature, and will do
i less be a ready supporter of q judicious
form on the liquor traffic.
ORANGE.-In this county the question
reform" or "No Reform" was submit
to the people, by agreement ofthe candida
and the latter carried the day by a IL
! vote. This is not to be wondered at, W
it is remembered that the Reform moVen
had no advocate in the field to defend j
oainst tho thousond oSnorrions and mis-