Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-08
oNE-s1pEp

ONE-SIDED PHILANTHROPY.
We are sometimes asked-"Why do the
Temperance men expend all their sympathy
and philanthropy upon the evils of Intern
perance, while there are SO many other vices
in the land that loudly call for commiser-
alton and active ~exertion in removing ?D In
answering this in~terrogatory. which comes to
us from legislative halls, from circles of in
telligence and refinement, from the benevo-
lent and virtuous, and from almost every
quarter, we would say, the imputation is no.
toriously untrue that we overlook all other
vices and neglect all other charities in our
Where will be found more of the milk of hui
man kindness, more of that generous benev-
olence that weeps at others woes and bestows
the kindly aids of sympathy and charity,
than abounds among the Sons of Temper
ancc! Who have done more to visit the
fatherless, relieve the widow, educate the or
phan, and raise up the oppressed and down
trodden sons of men," than this benefcent
OIOCIs VI III DbNO AlOAO NOhCPANNONoAJ NV
ed the part of the good Samaritan, by taking
up the beaten and suffering wayfarer, pro-
viding for him out of their own purse and
nursing and caring forbim in his Affections,
than have the Sons Of Temperance? Who
have more sternly than they, set their faces
against all wickedness, and crime, and deg
radiation? Verify, in this Fraternity all that
lis not lovely and of good report" meets
with stern rebuke and denunciation for the
truth of which assertion we challenge inves-
tigation.
But in forming an Association whose eff
forts are to be directed for the promotion of
q special object, in conforming ourselves
specifically to that purpose, we but follow
all other similar organizations. The great
American Bible Society, in disseminating
the Sacred Scriptures, confines itself to the
legitimate objects of it's organization, with
out interfering with the peculiar province OF
the American Tract Society. But, because
they do not thus interfere, does it afford any
just presumption that its members are un
concerned and uninterested in the advance
ment of the latter So of the many othel
different benevolent and philanthropic en-
terprises they each confne themselves il
their organized operations to their avoweC
objects but as individuals they contribut,
and labor for the advancement of other com
mendable associations.
Were the temperance men in their organ
lied capacity to take steps for carrying out
Independently, the specified objects of othe
associations, they would at once be iustl,
met with the charge of impertinently inter
fering with the work of others but we may
and do, unite in providing a common agen
cy, under their own guidance, for accom-
plishing the specific object embraced in thei
organization. So it would be were Tract
Bible or other Societies to attempt to con
troll the movement of the Temperance Asso
Citations. Each has it's own sphere an,
should prosecute its own purposes.
But We are told there are many vices an
habits in the world needing reform, as vel
as thaeor InternperaneG and ~some of Foui
efforts should be directed towards their sup
preston. In contending for the correction
OF Intemperance, we are striking at the yer,
root of most of the vices in the world, an,
if the one were removed the others woul
follow in a great measure as a natural cor
sequence. But there is abundant reaso
why the one vice of Intemperance should b
singled out and operated against, more tina
II H. - - Ic-
is the parent stem, on which is engrafte
murder, adultery, theft, perjury, blasphem.
gaming, prostitution, degradation, diseas
pauperism and all the thousand ills to whic
flesh is heir. What other evil is there wit
which ore indissolubly connected so mar
revolving crimes and consequences. Its rui
ing, damning influences enter the pulp;
the senate, the judiciary, the quiet fami
circle-in a word, there is no place too hol
;, exalted, pure or retired that it does not i
wade. All nave felt, do feel its blighting
fects. In fne-there is no vice, which,
one black and awful gulf, swallows up
much of hope and happiness, as Intempe
ance. 1t prostrates all that is great, it bias
all that is good, in humanity. The man
honor is betrayed into infamy-the man
virtue into sin. 1t touches the manly fran
and it is clothed with corruption. 1t seiz
6 the intellect, and its divine lineaments a
blotted out forever. 1t breathes upon t
!. holy affections, and they are blasted. 1t I
!, stroys the tenderest ties of social life, exi]
the sweet endearments of home, and 70
the earth of its loneliness. And thousan
and millions Of our fellow-men have fall
beneath the power of the i~nsatiate Destroye
E Is there another such vice in the land
r are not all the efforts made for its suppr,
: sion weak and puerile in comparison with
: destructive ~power-and ought not eve
: energy of soul and body be engaged for
d removal? Earth, heaven and hell call alo
8 for determined effort in this mighty und
!. taking.
. 1t is proposed by some advocates of a change