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

Mr.. EDITOR Some weeks ago l saw in
your columns an article signed "Temperan-
tia" and in your last a review ofsaid article
signed "Veritas Prevalent" The election
is now over, and so far as that is concerned |
have nothing in view; but simply wish to
state some plain matters of fact, with due
Difference to the opinions of others, and the
kindest regards for the parties concerned
I" Veritas Prevalent" charges "Temperan-
tia with doing injustice to the county, and
her +" worthy" candidates. Very true, 'Tem-
~perantia" makes some sweeping assertions,
giving ample room for attacks, yet l do not
suppose, he intended to do "iniustice to the
county" or her citizens. Ifhe thought Nash
had heretofore disgraced herself | doubt not
he was honest in his opinion. Thinking men
must Judge the matter for themselves, and
doubtless there 9riU be differences of opinion
among them. While some may think it a
disgrace to a county for her candidates to
treat and keep the rum-tide flowing all
through the campaign, others who have the
same right to think, may not view it in the
same light. "Temperantia" used the ex-
preston, "rowdyish conduct" but we have
no right to suppose that he meant that the
common conduct of those gentlemen, whom
he knows are men Of standing in society and
in their county, is rowdyish; yet, he may
think, as we'll as many others, that for gen.
tlemen to treat and make their fellow-citizens
drunk, is rowdyism.
That liquor treating is q shameful and IN
lawful practice, as "Temperantia" has said,
who dares to gainsay. That "Temperantia"
has said Nash is in the back ground and be-
hind the times, is not differing very widely
from many others, even of her own citizens.
/ as we'll as Veritas Prevalent, know but
/ 1,ktlo of4bo &C forI xoo,,kba1 o,1ol1orc 4haA honr
around Taylor's GROCERY" yet l hope he
will excuse ME if should differ somewhat
from him in saying they are SOBER people in
the "known parts" Of Nash, for | suppose
there are many who would not say they are
in the strict sense of the word.
"Veritas Prevalent" confesses that these
candidates have not yet abandoned the prac-
tice of treating entirely, but seems disposed to
) apologize for them, by attaching all the
blame to the sheriff. If the sheriff of a coun-
ty fails to discharge his duty, is this a just
cause why l should violate the laws of the
State, which | knew as well as did the sheriff
! himself? To say or even suppose these men
did not know the laws on this subject, would
be charging them with ignorance in the ex-
IRENE. 1t would at once be saying they were
5 wholly unqualified for the Offices for which
s they were seeking. No man would be sup
f posed to be a suitable Representative of his
5 county who was so inexcusably ignorant that
he did not understand the most common and
simple features of the laws Of the State
Surely the sheriff must be punished if he
) failed to discharge his duties-he must be
1 brought before the "Grand Jury" and pass
: through the hands of the Judge" but if
|, others fail to discharge theirs, or openly vio-
s late the laws of the land, they must not be
even censurcd. / hope with v. P. that the
e sheriff will perform his duties more faithfully
n in the future and l do hope gentlemen will
J. in the future have more respect for the laws
d of their country and for the welfare of theil
1t fellow-men, and for the sufferings of the wives
and children Of poor inebriates, than to make
their fellow-men drunk and thus nourish the
depraved appetite.
But the idea advanced by V. p, Of men't
% being favorable to Temperance who treat anC
d make drunk their fellow-men-who are gooC
re Temperance men, although they declare from
n the stump that they take a dram occasional
ly, and who repel the charge of being con
nc nected with this Temperance movement
with more indignation than any other charg
whatever, and denounce it as one of tn
m basest character-such an idea is absurd il
lu the extreme.
We have heard of one man who went t
tn the election in Nash county, got drunk an
&c started home, but came to his death on tn
IN way. There was a heavy thunder-stor
swept over this section just before sun-dow
Sc and report says the verdict of the jury of il
quest was that she came to his death b
10 lightning" Wonder what witness the,
~ proved that by L.