Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31
SrANLY COUNTY,. May l1th, 1854.

OTANLI OOUNNTY, May Iltn, 1904
Messrs. EDIroRs Perhaps a brief ac-
count of the state of things, and our pros
poets for reformation in Stanly, would not
be uninteresting. Notwithstanding there is
now fierce strife going on between The
advocates and the Ramocracy
in this county, we can see that the skies are
brlghtening;' and the day dawning when we
shall be enabled toredeem our honor. The
subject of prohibitory law is being power
fully agitated-the Rumocracy are in per-
feet ferment, many of them fairly boiling
over ! They appear to be very much afraid
of premature demise and think that their
fears are we'll grounded, for many of our
leading men have enlisted themselves under
the banner of Temperance and are now bat
ting nobly for Prohibitory law One of
our most influential citizens-late member
in the Senate of the State Legislature from
this county-has boldly stepped forward and
publicly declared himself in favor of Prohi-
bition. Being very popular man, you may
guess that in doing this he brought down
the Fthupders' of the Rumites in all its ter
ror upon his devoted head such was indeed
the case, but after the storm shall have pass
ed over, we expect to see him come out un-
scathed-yea, like gold seven times tried
was present at our County Court, few
days ago, and saw him assailed by host
of the 'red noses,' in most unmerciful
manner; they soon thus aroused within him
the sleeping lion, when he commenced
such an onslaught upon them as TO make
them retire behind their batteries (the whis-
key wagons) in double quick time.
He is man as before said, possessed of
great deal of influence in the county, anG
may therefore be the means of doing much
good. While at Court, saw disciple of
the brandy keg attack him, threatening to
withdraw has support unless he would recant.
{ A terrible threat was thatD He nobly re-
piled that if he had to sacrifice moral
principle to insure his election TO any offices
ne would STAY AT HoME,-but said he, l am
not an aspirant fo: ofice-all | ask of you
is, FREE EXERCISE OF MY OPINIONS, and
you shall enjoy the same privilege of me-
Noble reply would to God that we could
say the same of some who are aspirants for
Office. Though he may, by the course that
he has taken, have injured his popularity a
while among the foes of Temperance, yet
the day is surely not far distant when they
will appreciate his worth, approve Of his
course, and again receive him into their con-
6dence. Light on the subject is all they
lack give them this, and the work will 90
brayely on. We know that Ignorance is the
great barrier to temperance, remove this and
quick as if by the magic influence of Alad-
din's Lamp, the reformation is accomplished.
Let the Spirit of the Age shed its benignant
rays on their benighted minds awhile, or the
Ballot-Box awaken them to a sense of the
enormity of the crime and cost consequent
upon the traffic in spirituous liquors, and the
unanimous prayer would 60 up from all
parts Of our country for aProhibitory Liquor
Law. God speed the day
If had time could give you some start
ling accounts of the works of intemperance
in Stanly, bu: will let acase or two suffice for
: the present. Not long ago man who re-
/, sided in the upper part Of the county while
drunk fell into the fire at his own house and
was SO severely burned that the flesh come
almost entirely off Of bis legs. He lived
!, a few days and died horrid and miserable
death, his body presenting such loathsome
appearance as to render it almost impossible
to bury him in decent manner! Another
not far from the same place drank himself to
death a short time ago, died while cursiua
and swearing N.