Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-06
The Liquor Laws.

NAD NtAO Va AAAh NN09
withdrawn. No other ballot that day.
The Liquor Laws.
1t will be seen by reference to the proceed
ings of the Legislature. in other columns of
this paper, that the memorials from the free
citizens of North Carolina, are beginning to
be presented to the General Assembly, pray.
ing the adjustment of the liquor traffic in
the State. 1t will also be further seen, and
that with deep regret, that a disposition was
evinced by some, to-stife all investigation
upon the subject, and treat respectful petit
tions from free citizens of a representative
government with manifest and indignant dis
respect and contempt. We record with great
pride, as native North Carolinians, that this
gag-law, anti republican proposition met with
very little favor in the House, but a very large
majority determined to have the question
investigated in a fair, free and dispassionate
manner.
During the present session, Memorials of
a similar character will be presented, we
doubt not, from every County in the State,
oioAON W jill NV VI AIty ttOuSduu NOGGFSs
There will also be presented a Memorial,
coming from the Grand Division of the Sons
of Temperance, asking that, in the event of
the Legislature deeming it improper or mex
pedient to pass a general prohibitory law at
Observation-Disclosures
which will be best adapted to meet the de-
mands for Reform which are heard in thun-
der tones from every section of the Common
wealth, and from all classes, sexes and con-
ditions of our people.
The friends of Reform in North Carolina
are impelled by no ultra, f~anatical spirit in
their opposition to the liquor traffic. They
feel and witness every day its deleterious eff
1 tects upon the moral, social and political in
/ terests of our people, and are convinced that
Legislative ~interposition should be given to
check, or arrest entirely, if possible, its blight
ing and %ruinous influences. They believe
that the entire prohibition of the traffic in in
: toxicating drinks, is alone capable of meeting
. the necessities of the case, and desire such an
"a enactment when the majority of the people
shall demand it. They concede that the Re-
representatives. sent from their respective coun-
st ties are fully competent to judge of the will
of their constituents in this respect, as the
o. matter has been generally discussed during
the past summer. Let the win of the major
> ity, therefore, be reflected, and no one viii
&c have cause of complaint.
- But, whatever may the the opinion preya
:. lent as to entire prohibition, there can scarce
" be two opinions on this proposition, viz
That the liquor traffic as it now exists b
&c law in North Carolina, is a prolific source G
crime, pauperism and heavy taxation, an
therefore needs decided reformation. Thi
then conceded, the question for the Legisl;
ture to determine is, what that reformatio
shall be. We think the manner proposed
- ofleaving each District to determine the que
= ton for itself, is as equitable and free fro
objections, as perhaps any that can be SUI
:. gested. If a majority desire the %continuan
W. of the traffic, so let it be if, on the contrar
the majority desire its removal, let its sale
interdicted altogether, and the wish of t
up majority thus be respected and maintained
If. again, neither of these plans meet t
FmS approval of the Legislature, let some 9th
r~eformatory measure be agreed upon, that
calculated to meet the wishes of the peoI
on the subject. But do not stave off all
ape bate upon, all investigation Of, all effort
iOre correct, an evil of such universal prevaler
and of such Incompatible magnitude.
) III was remarked by distinguished gentlemen
iuef the floor Of the House, the public minds
'nfy cited, deeply excited on this question, a
aoio this excitement will not down at the fat
anu disrespectful contempt, or timidly givinj
= the slip by. The uncourteous action by
last Legislature did more to incense the p
70 lie mind than any thing else. The quest
'"e must be met; and it should be done fire.
frankly, dispassionately. Letgentlemenc C
t;Ges up to it disrobed of their prejudices and
For BIASED by selfish or other unworthy con
sion. e~rations, and as enlightened Representa-
as Of a free and intelligent people, dispose of
horn question in the true spirit of philanthr'
N T patriotism which its Importance demand
,;nos their hands.
,vlor 1t gives us unalloyed pleasure to say,
H;,;o we believe it will receive that considers
4 lo-la &c kHo Dpoaonf GanorQl ASS