Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-23
@ NJ m nnita.tions
For the Spirit of tie lac.

l propose, Mr.. Editor, to address a few
remarks to the friends of Temperance thro'
the columns Of your highly creditable jour-
nal, concerning some measure of Reform for
North Carolina. We nave battled valiantly
for a prohibitory Law, but we have failed to
carry it in our State elections. This is as
was expected but let no man despair of
success in our noble cause. Ne tciH get con-
quer. We have gained ground with the peo-
pie, and will continue to do so until a glorious
triumph crowns our efforts. There will be
no political business for the Legislature of
1856 to do, as two Senators will be elected
this year, and as the State has been laid off
in Senatorial and Congressional Districts for
the next twenty years. Friends of Reform!
this will be the time for the success of our
cause. With proper efforts on our part, |
earnestly believe that We can carry the State.
Let us prepare to hold a great State Tenn
perance Convention just before the Fair that
will be held in Raleigh next year. Let us
organize in each county. Let us take the
position, all ocer the State, that we will sup
port the candidates of any party that are out
and out in favor of Prohibition, and that we
will nominate candidates of our own, in case
neither party have candidates that are its
open advocates. This is the soonest way in
which we can effect a triumph. 1t has been
my opinion, from the first, that it was the
best course to pursue, and it is yet my opin-
ion. Politicians will never touch this ques-
ton until the people move in the matter, and
make a very decided movement too.
But 70 my more immediate purpose: AS
we have not carried Prohibition this time, l
think it would be prudent in us to petition
the Legislature for something like the Mis-
sissippi Law which we may carry through
the Legislature, and thereby effect much
good fer the two coming years. Certainly,
no republican can have any objection to what
is called the Mississippi Law, which CiTtuddy
leaves the licensing power with a majority
of the voters in the town or district where Ii
cense is wanted. IF every county in the
!. State will exert itself to procure 81 gners to a
, Memorial of this kind, from now until the
meeting of the Assembly, l think that a large
number, if not a majority, would obtain more
than half the voters. People of North Car
olina! let US all harmonic upon this repub
. lican measure, and petition our present Leg
~islature for its enactment. Let us have it TO
q those counties where a majority demands 1t
if not for the entire State. Here is a form
of the Memorial we propose:
; To the Honorable, the General Assembly 9
North Carolina:
Is We, the voters OF -- county, 40 rex
pectfully petition your Honorable Body fo
il the passage of a law, giving to a majority {
the legal voters in any district, the power t
n. grant or withhold license from any perso
applying therefor. The County Court
issue license as heretofore, except upon al
plication of a majority of the legal voters
the district where the shop or tavern is to
established. And also, for the passage of
bill submitting the question, Prohibition
y, or mo Prohibition" to a direct vote Of tt
people, when no other election is to tai
place. And your petitioners will ever pra
l think that a decided majority in til
county are in favor of this Memorial and
have believed, and do yet believe, that wi
a few temperance lectures, a majority wou
90 for entire Prohibition. We askfor a lit
in this Memorial, and we are in hopes tn
20 1885 hid gTeettri ttua eAr s1M4lheA MIXERS il the politici
against this p~rincisle of republication?
Where !! INVINCIBLE.
Northampton, August, 1854.