Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-06
FoR TIE SPIRIT OF TUE AGE.

Mr.. EDITOR AS the Legislature is now
in session, and it is but reasonable to expect
that the temperance question will engage the
serious consideration of that body, it becomes
an enquiry of some interest, as to what will
be the probable action upon it. The various
measures which have been proposed from
time to time for the suppression or mitigation
of the dread scourge of intemperance, will
recommend themselves to the attention of
the Legislature and receive such consIdera-
ton, as the Importance of the subject requires
and the urgency of the case demands.
The inexpediency of q general prohibitory
enactment by the present Assembly, Is con-
coded by all rejecting men really deserving
the success of the cause, and the late cleo
tons have demonstrated beyond the posslbli-
itv of cavil or doubt, the impolicy OF an
appeal to the public tribunal for a verdict
against the liquor traffic. In this state of the
case, l ask, what will the Legislature do
/ Be content to allow the present damning, de-
| moralizing system to continue to cast Its
8 blighting mildew over the land-ettectIye IN
it's work Of ruin and destruction, or will 1T
9 bind its energies and powers to its subJuga-
r ton? The majority of the Legislature are
men of wisdom, virtue and sound judgment ;
the evils Of intemperance and the necessity
8 for it's suppression or mitigation are too
d apparent to have escaped the attention OF the
-e most superficial observer, and the imperative
demand for legislative interference in some
le form, seems to be an admitted proposition,
,e even by those differing with US upon the
question of a general prohibitory law.
" Can the go-by then be given to this great,
he this all-important subject, and a body OF
en- men assembled to consult upon the interest
and welfare of our good old State, and to
lv adopt such measures as will promote the vlr-
ale tue and happiness of her people, waste their
zee time in pr~oftless drawings and useless squad
a 5les, while the groans and cries of widows
and orphans are waited upon every breeze
ia and float in one wild, heart-rending chorus
he around themH / cannot, | will not believe
etc it; the urgency of stringent enactments tC
&C. curtail the inhuenee of tAis hell-flling sconrge
ks. stand out too prominently to be neglected OF
disregarded. Demagogues may croak, anC
nv rum-paid minions pirate and plead for a con
tinuation of the present diabolical llcens'
me system, but the good sense of the intelligen
= and %virtuous legislator will turn a deaf ca
! to their entreaties, and adopt such restriction
no as will sweep those for whom they work as
pa. nest Of vipers from the land.
Bnt From every section of the State-from tn
mountain to the seaboard-from hill, vale
and plain, there comes forth an appeal to tn
assembled law makers of North Carolina TO
" ACTION ACTION! upon the liquor question
ROC and this appear Will De needeu. Inc charaS
;on ter of the present Legislature Justify the pr,
', oi diction. The deep toned voice Of publ
81 opinion, calling for a revision of the preser
oeil license laws, and farther restrictions upo
the liquor traffic, bear me out in the assertion
10y The miseries entaiied by the free vending
az. this agent of evil, standing in all their sic
ening deformity and disgusting lo~athsomene
iou in the pathway of men, to remind them tn
' TT. the foul plague spot is still in their mids
,va s warrant me in p%roclaiming the speedy Gu
- : tailment of the privileges of this desolatlI
IS demon. Where is the man whose heart {
Veil is not composed of adamant-steeled to eve
or,h generous impulse, unmoved by the wal!
distress-deaf to the cry of sutterlng--iI
o5 pregnable to the assaults of reason and
, Inu own conscience, that can gaze upon the des
: tSa lating tide of intemperance as it sweeps
5 5 b its death dealing course, bearing myriads
!, ! a. ing back the food gates of perditlon, a
70 IN casting its burden in the deep, dark gulf
eternal ruin, that will refuse to assist