Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-04-19
Submitting the Question.

A S
Submitting the Question.
We publish on our first page a Communi-
cation signed &c. Co." which is worthy of
consideration by the friends of Legislative re-
form on the liquor traffic. We know the
writer to be a prudent, sagacious, and at the
same time, devoted friend of reform, and
therefore believe his suggestions have origi-
mated in the purest and best of intentions.
We heartily concur in the declaration that
we want no legislation that is not demanded
and viii not be sustained by a decided ma
jority of the people; and we also desire an
expression of this will as clearly and une-
quivocalIy as it can be arrived at. To this
end, Memorials, to be presented to the next
session of the Legislature, praying the pass
age of Prohibitory law, are being ~circula-
ted throughout the length and breadth of the
State, and we submit. if a decided majority
of the Voters of North Carolina sign these
instruments, it will be even a clearer and
more unmistakable expression of their wish
es, than could he obtained in any other way.
For, if made a test issue in the election of
members to the Legislature, many who are
favorable to legislation and who would glad
ly sign the Memorial, would not abandon
their party candidate because of his opposi-
ton to it; or if the naked question " for" or
g against prohibition" were submitted, many
even among those decidedly favorable to in
terdicting the traffic, would not put them
selves to the trouble to attend the polls.
We also would deprecate the necessity of
having to run candidates for the Legislature
on the temperance principle, per Sc. But
we noIu II 10 DC rn0 dug
this measure to do so, rather than be forced
by party drill, into the support of the avowed
enemies of the cause. If our views are dis
regarded and set aside by the political wire
, workers, by every consideration of selfres-
pect and duty, we should feel impelled to
stand even with a Spartan few, rather than
join in the popular tide of the multitude, to
] the dissertation of our pure and noble cause.
1t will be a matter of doubt with many
candidates for the Legislature, as to what. is
the wish of a majority of their constituents
on this question. If such say they will be
$ governed by the will of the majority, gath
o cred from signatures to the Memorial, and
9 by mingling among the people, 1t should be
. satisfactory-but if they decline even this
reasonable proposition. what tbAa352n oS ~
J Never!
i We know there are many who doubt the
q expediency of a change, so great as that of
entTe proh'd1t'on, from our present unjust
q and monstrous license laws. Time and cir
d cumstances must determine the wisdom of
THIS matter between the present and the
time OF the assembling of the Legislature
1t 1T should be apparent to the true friends of
the cause that stringent restrictive measures
fer the present, would best conduce to ulti-
mate and permanent reform, then give us
such a law as will enable the people to pro-
/ tect themselves, as has been done in Mississ.
lppl-but for one we are opposed to conce-
ding the point that that is what we are strue.
:, Cling for, and only what we desire. If we
could get our next Legislature to submit the
question of Prohibition" "Restriction,"
e or License" to the People, disconnected
from any other question and to be decided at
9 the polls when no ether election is held and
also could secure at the next session such an
e amendment to our license laws as would put
it in the power of the people of every town,
: village and constable's district to decide for
; themselves whether grog shops should be es-
tablished in their midst, then we should con-
u ceive q mighty good had been accomplished,
!, and such steps put on foot as would ensure
r the. passage of a prohibitory law through the
direct instruction of the people. Over such
g action we could we'll rejoice, and bide our
time for the glorious day of full redemption.