Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-10
Ho ! the Temperance Platform.

When the late State Temperance Conven-
ton adopted its platform, we then thought
the principles laid down were the most sound,
the most judicious, the most wise-that the
measures proposed were the safest, the most
prudent, and promised the most certain sue
cess. We still think SO. We have never
wayered an iota-wc have never faltefed a
moment. The platform and appeal have
been scattered over the State-they have
been sent in some form into every ~neighbor-
hood, and we suppose they have been read
generally by the people. Temperance men
we expected would not only read, but study
them closely and act upon them. Recently,
we have feared that in this last opinion we
have been mistaken. Let us rccapitulate
and condensc those principles.
l. The Temperance Convention held, that
intemperance an our State WGs mainly promo
ted By the traffic IL spirituous liquors, and
that the said traffic should be abolished.
2. That our Legislature ought to abolish it
as soon as a clear majority Of the people Of
the State, so demanded, and not before and
that ae wouM petition the Legislature so to
do.
3. That prohibition aCaS Our aim, but that
in laboring TO secure 1t are acOuld neither form
a party ourselves so as to break dozen or orer.
ride the tro political parties cfhe State, an:
less forced By them, nor rould ace unite as 3
body Nth either party as such TO carry 1t.
4. That until the people demanded prOhibi
ton, ae pould acquiesce an any amendment g
the present license law the Legislature Nigh
pass, achich acould lessen the eOil.
Now, will any individual suggest a wiser
safer, more prudentor a more efficient scheme
AS yet, we have seen no sound argumel
: against it, if the first principle laid down
u sound and true. How comes it to pass the
l. that almost all the published propositio
n made to overslaugh, to decry, or to put dov
the doctrine of prohibition, have come frc
s. Temperance men? Do they doubt wheth
~ it be true that the traffic is the chief soul
ed of intemperance? Will they contend tina
IN little of it ought still to be sold, by very nj
he ~genteel, respectable men, to be used a
is beverage, with which a fellow may "wet
m whistle when he is dry? That cannot
1t will be said, we propose other scher
he because prohibition cannot be carriedye
re- How do you know? 1t has been done,
of what has been done may be done again.
ow all events, if we believe what we have
Ire along preached, ought we not to try to N
he it go? 1t is our duty to press the doct
ub- of prohibition, firmly, honorably, consist
i'm " and unanimously. What particular
terest can temperance men have in the lie
our law, that they must turn nurses for 1t
uld the opposers of prohibition, want the lie
cry law amended-if they are in the maj
rye and acont give us prohibition, bat yet are
his ious for the license law to be amended
cal willing that il shouldbe, to stave off pro
eat ton, let them propose the terms. LIE
Use Temperance men press prohibition W
hall and firmly, and we shall soon have thel
lore the hip. Let every mouth utter our I
cry, d" Down with the liquor traffic"
7ooa sefg tHat thayy RRffTH READILY beg for terms IN
~ then WE shall be in a position to dictate t
qua Let the friends Of Temperance then thro
kelly Outthe State measure well the vantage or
NV they stand on. Spread the light-hol
nav to your principles-press them upon the
pie firmly, and it will not surprise u:
'HS' large majority of the people of North CT
'e TO ma demand prohibition Of the neat LegislC