Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09
The Election.

Inc ElecElou'
The long agony is over and the contest de-
cided, about which there has been such bitter
contention and 50 many thousand sage pre-
dictions and prophesies. The people have
decided who shall hsaer Chief Magistrate,
but whether the las fallen on Bragg
or Dockery, time and the returns must deter
mine.
In the election of members to the Legisla-
ture, the question of Reform in the liquor
traffic has entered extensively in the canvass
in most Of the counties. In some counties
candidates were before the people as the
aFowed advocates and defenders of Reform
while IN most Others candidates were voted
for in proportion as they favored orswere OPP
posed to the movement. On this, the first
trial of this issue, it was hardly Ia be expec-
ted-that even partial success would any where
crown our efforts, but we believe when the
complexion and views of the membeAs shall
be known, very many will be found who, in
order to reflect the will of their constituents
will vote for som prudentPformatory meas
ure. or at least for some project by which a
clear and unequivocal expression of public
sentiment may be arrived at.
In this county The friends of Reform had
to resort to the alternative of voting for can
didates brought forward especially upon this
issue, and although we have not succeeded
in the election of either, yet the result, under
all the circumstances, is highly gratifying
and encouraging to the friends of the move
ment. The issue and contest made, called
upon wings and democrats to forsake their
party tickets-to turn their backs upon their
political associates with whom they had al
ways promptly and cheerfully acted and
instead OF exciting any surprise that al
friends of Reform did not do so, the wonder
is that so many-so large and respectable
a number of our fellow-citizens-should a
this the first call of philanthropy, have alb
jnred party ties and voted openly and boldl.
in defence of the cause of truth and humanity
1t is q we'll known fact that the stropges
party appeals and influences have bee
brought to bear, to influence voters to adher
to partisan Observation-Disclosures politics
Importance depending upon the complexio
of the next Legislature, added to the stron
probability of the inability to elect the R
form candidates, and many other such ref
sons and arguments, have been adduced
influence men to this time lay aside the
Reform predictions. To a great extel
such arguments and considerations have pr
vailed but notwithstanding all these, tt
Reform men in Wake county have dor
nobly, and a stand has been taken that wi
eventually contribute to the triumph Of o.
cause.
A great good to the cause of Reform h
been accomplished by the campaign in Wa.
county. Our principles and position ha
beer clearly defined and ably INDICATED
our indefatigable and sterling champion,
Hines, Whitaker almost through the emit
county, and by our eminently worthy can
: few places at which he adddrresSsaed the petp
! Hundreds nave been set to thinking and
v~estigating the subject that had never beft
! given it any consideration it has been
4 troduced as the theme of conversation a
Y discussion whereit has hitherto been a stri
o ger prejudices and bitter animosities hi
s been removed concerning it, and o foun
ton been established that will hurlinto dis
and contempt the vile appliances so long a
: disgracefully used for political promot
and preferment.
Upon the whole, the friends of Temporal
II have reason to congratulate themselves W
" the result. Had not such important pc,
cal results been dependent upon the n
N Legislature, the Reform ticket would h,
ne polled several hundred stronger-and
II years hence, these considerations reno
81 the principles ofReform more clearly diff
&c and understood, its reasonable and repu
% can proposEsons Soperly appreciated,
nc hundreds will rally to the support of PR
W pies so well calculated to secure the CT
dence and appreciation of all right-thinl
men.
For the result of the election, so far as
Returns have been received up to the
81 of our going to press, we refer the reade,
nd the head of "News of the Day." in an
;va err column.
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