Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-30
FoR TIE SpIR1r OF TIE AGE.


For THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The election being over in the old North State,
and the excitement consequent upon the result hav-
ing subsidized, we propose, by your permission, to
take a review of the past and our prospects for the
future, in this section Of the State, as regards the
temperance question. In June last, at our demo-
cratic county convention, the several districts of
New Hanover being pretty well represented by del
egates, Owen Fennell for the Senate, S. J. Person
and Thos. Fl. Williams, for the Commons, were pre-
scented to the people as candidates. There was a
committee of seven appointed by the temperance
community, to confer with those gentlemen and
learn their views on the question of prohibition
These duties were faithfully discharged by said
committee, and at a celebration (Rechabite) at
Scots Hill, on the 18th July, reported as follows:
Mr.. Fennell was supposed to be worthy the conf
dence of the people on this question. A letter
from Mr.. Williams was read, expressing views IA
vorable to the Mississippi, in preference to the Maine
law, but as a legislator from this county a few years
ago, procuring q Charter for an Academy at Long
Creek, he had an act passed prohibiting the sale of
liquor (by retail probably within three miles OF
said Academy. This act has been rendered null
and void, because the Academy was never built, we
%presume.) He pointed lin his letter. to his course
pursued with respect to this matter, as one that
ought to satisfy his friends that he was safe enough
on that question for any practicable purpose. A
letter from Mr.. Person was read and he being pres
ent, confirmed the sentiments expressed in said letter
by a speech on the occasion he as an individual
was opposed to prohibition or restriction amounting
to entire prohibition, but he would vote for a pro-
position in the Legislature, to submit the question
to the people, and there were evils arising from the
liquor traffic las at present carried on which need.
ed regulating, and which he would go for.
The temperance committee confirmed the nomi.
nation of the above named gentlemen, by submit
ting the question to the audience there present, on
q direct vote, each gentleman's name being taken
epnoratalV There WAS S0mA dissatisfaction axiStino
in different parts of the county, and q Mr.. Powers
independently was brought forth, said to have been
an out and out prohibitionist. We will remark here
that Mr.. Person at a subsequent period treasured
the people lat Sandy Run that there were evils a.
rising out of the present way the liquor traffic was
carried on, that he should 60 for correcting, such
for instance as the injury of our slaves received by
it, and we hope ere long, that he'll see what t0hitC
folks suffer too.
To shorten our epistle, we will merely say Mr.
Fennell, Senator; Mr.. Person and Williams, Com.
mons; were elected. The writer was one of thu
temperance committee. We have watched thu
movements of these gentlemen for some time. W
approved of the nomination; we voted as many
other temperance gentlemen did, for the same. Mr.
Powers Independent dem.) was beaten by Mr.
Person by only SO votes, by Mr.. Williams some few
over 100, as you will see by reference to Whining
ton Journal of the 18th August. We have noticed
an article in said paper which we fear reflects ad
verse to the temperance community in this county
The Journal says: In New Hanover, the difficult!
about tae county elections, no doubt, prevented
many from going out to the polls What this diff
fculty complained offs he does not explain. VIVA
more could the temperance people have done 70
unity-sake, we can't divine. They Tin the person
of the committee) submitted calmly to the sam
conventions dOings, confirmed its nomination, Yo
ted for4 Ats nominees, and yet hope in them Jour rep
resentatives) to find men at least that will stand I'll
to what they have declared. But if this difficulty
alluded to above, does, in Mr. Fulton's eyes, arts
from the fact of the temperance folks go ahead
tiveness, he will please pardon us when we tel
him, right is on our side, truth is mighty an,
must prevail sooner or later. But in these DAYS
when the almighty-dollar will cause the rumselle
(being legally authorised by law to do i) to hurr
off his victims by scores to the grave, we need nc
wonder If party consideration patronage and sci
INTEREST," should charge men with originating diff
culties or divisions, because they are simply tryin
to rescue their country from disgrace and many G
their friends from falling as victims to intemperance
We shall wait patiently for an explanation of thi
difficulty, alluded to by the Journal, and hope tina
he will be able to satisfy himself and friends toe
that in this difficulty, the temperance folks at leas
have not only not been to blame, but that they hav
calmly and peaceably done what they believed t
be their duty as citizens.
The prospect of the future certainly is encoul
aging. The memorial is going ahead rapidly
Where temperance heretofore has met with th
greatest opposition, men of all casts of opinion, 6
regards temperance, are signing it. In Onslow Co
where the only candidate that favored the temper
ance movement had to f Orsake his platform for pa
rOnage, and to ward off the blows of his opponen
they are signing the memorial. A few days ag
two of as old men, 1--WE %suppose) as belongs to tt
county, signed it, others also. We presume tn
our opponents in the Legislature, if there be an,
will not have any just cause to say the coming Sc
sion, that it's q movement of women and childre
A DEMOCRAT.
Tz---.1 C1 NJ