Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-26
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.


1t is not our province to inquire intof tie
unparalleled circumstances Of degradation,
any farther than the use of ardent spirits is
concerned, or SO far as Intoxicating drinks
have contributed toward them. It is sus-
ceptible of moral demonstration, that their
use had had much to do in the sad casual
tiles which are diurnally taking a place in
the papers published in our land. 1t un-
necessary to trouble the reader with state
ment Of the amount of money spent foolish
ly, on account of the use Of this intoxicating
beverage; nor is it even proper that we
should trouble him with the number of drunk
ards, or paupers, or criminals who have been
created to fill up the ranks thinned by death,
and the arm ofjustice. But we will assert
that the moral pulse of the nation has been
weakened, and the disposition and facility to
do wrong thereby greatly increased. The
bread stnHs and other nutritious substances,
which have been. converted into sbine, beexy
ram and Wbiskey, have been not only lost
to the country, but their destruction has con-
tributed in great degree to the scarcity
and high prices of food. Now if all these
] bounties of kind Providence, which have
, been converted into intoxicating drinks, had
been all swallowed up by an earthquake,
> opr much loved country would be mach
;, richer than it now is. And still more, a
y large portion of the foolish bargains the
! reckless speculations which have contributed
f so much to the present distress and degrade
. ton Of so many poor widows and orphan
- children, whose husbands and fathers have
% reveled in wine, spent their earnings to nc
- purpose, and thus brought their wives and
~ offspring to penury and want-too frequent
N n y the whole tragedy derives its origin from
- the first glass.
10 Now, if every citizen will cease to manu-
facture, or buy, or use any Intoxicating drinks
ID however unhappy may be our present situa
nc ton, and from whatever complication (
~ causes been produced, such will be the eaass:n
Il ofwealth, the increase of corporal and mel
~ tai energy, and the growth Of industry an
Il economy over the whole face of our wid
'ad spread Republic, that one generation of 7
~ ~ tai Abstinence will retrieve ali our pecunial
Ho disasters and it will place US on solid, healt
in full foundation for future usefulness al
IT. n glory, on which neither we nor any 9th
- civilized nation has ever stood.
81 And now, in the fulness of our hearts,
~ m the name of our country and our God, '
"a "a ask, who will come up to this high-watt
: sN level patriotism. and christian duty? W
= will set the example and kindly urge lit up
y those around him? Who Of the rich a
nv nv influential will give up the fashionable b
' erage? Who Of the poor will show the
selves natures noblemen,' by refusing
follow multitude to do evilS' Who,
the brewers and the few remaining distille
no -" will give ease to their conscences, and BILE
la. ings to their fellow-men, by converting
ol grainof the earth into the staff Of life,
ave ,: stead of the staff of death Who, 6
un hardy patriotic yeomanry will aid the brt
uay .sS, ers and distillers in this consumation
e.: IN soutly to be Wished by Withholding Fl
OPP their fires of hell the useful products of
tne earth, and suffering them Only to be con-
'uoy ted into food for man and beast? Wh'
,.Iaa mas our ships and boat owners will refuse
niue l,: transport the poison! And who Of our n
eoic- chants will henceforth and forever refuse
buy or sell it? In view of all the wretch
ness, and wanf, and misery around US
'Fe almake these inquiries, and ask who will c
up to the rescue? E. c.