Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-28
ROWAN COUNTY.


Pursuant to previous notice a Convention of cit
zens of this county, favorable to the Temperance
Reform, met in the Court House in this place, on
the 10th inst, and organized by appointing J. Il.
ENNIss, Esq, Chairman, and J. ). BRUNER, Seere-
tary.
On taking the chair, Mr.. ESNIss announced, an
able address, explanatory the object of the Conyen-
ton.
On motion, the Committee appointed at a prima-
nv meeting to correspond with the candidates nomi-
mated by the respective parties, in reference to sup
porting a measure in the next next Legislature to
P'otHf1ftfou 70 trr people for
the decision at the ballot box, were now called upon
to report. DR.. J. j. SUMMERELL responded on their
part of said committee, and read to the Convention
the letters which had been received from the can
didates.
Ian of these letters were unsatisfactory in their re-
pies to the lnterrogatory propounded by the friends
OF Reform, viz: Are you in favor of the passage
of an Act, by the Legislature, to submit the oues-
ton OF a prohibitory or other stringent liquor law,
to the people OF North Carolina, to be decided at
the ballot box The letters are lengthy, all to-
gether, and we have not room for them.
The following preamble and resolutions were
adopted.
Whereas, we believe that the Intemperance, in
cldent to the liquor traffic, is a political evil, be-
cause it retards education, disqualifes men for the
duties of life, cOntaminates our slaves and depre-
ciates their Yalue,-is the parent Of pauperism and
crime, and sometimes improperly controls the ballot
box: And whereas it has entered for years into the
legislation of the Country-laws having been enae-
ted for its sale and prohibition And whereas we
believe that a stringent or prohibitory law, is the only
remedy against the evils resulting from it-There-
fore,
l. Resotred, That in view of the pernicious fruits
of the traffic as affecting the social, civil. moral and
political interests of the country, upheld as il is
by the laws of North Carolina, we, portion of the
G tlzens ofthe State, declare our settled determine
ton to use all proper means to secure the enactment
OF a law which shall repeal the license law and put
an end to the traffic in ardent spirits as a beverage.
z. hesotred, That we cheerfully submit to taxa
ton Tor purposes of Improvement and Education
and for all public works tending to elevate the con-
dItIon OF our fellow man but do most earnestly
protest against paying taxes for the prosecution of
criminals and the support of paupers, produced by
the traffic In ardent spirits.
3. RESOLVED, That facts prove that NV far the lorr-
est portion of the taxes is paid by the industrious
and sober part of the people and that the dealers
In liquor, by reason of the smallness of their num-
ber' condition, &C., bear a very disproportionate
share of such taxes.
A. ResoLued, That tits clearly wrong that one art
Of a community should be licensed to carry on a
uamc, the inevitable consequences of which is bur
oensolne taxation to another part and resulting in
evil and only evil to the whole community.
0. hes0tUed, That in so far as the traffic in ardent
spirits affects the social, civil and pecuniary inte-
rests of the country, it is a political question, as
much as any other within the range of our police
ana revenue laws, or as that of cleaning out 4 river
tor navigation, or C 'nstructing a public road and
Is as clearly entitled TO be so recognized and dealt
with. That IN so far as said traffic affects the health,
happiness and morals of the people, it is as much q
question for political action as the draining Of
mlasmatlc sWamps and ponds, the suppression of
gambling, and the forbidding ofindecent exposures
Q. hesotUed, That we are in favor Of a wise and
Jualclous system of internal Improvements by the
united contributions of the State and the people
ana that we favor all proper means for the develope-
ment OF the State and which contribute to The vel
1are OF our Commonwealth.
4 Resotred, That we believe the foregoing pre-
ample and resolutions express the views of a large
part OF our fellow citizens of both political parties
throughout the county, and that they are ready to
unite In an effort to give them success at the ballot
box.
9. hesot1ed, That we think it e~xpedient for this
convention to Nominate two candidates for the Leg
islature IN this County, to represent our views in
tne ensuing canvass, and We would earnestly call
upon all friends of Temperance to unite with US in
securing their success.
In pursuance Of the last resolution, DR.. Rankin
proposed that the Chairman appoint a Committee to
select suitable candidates to be nominated by this
convention. But the plain being objected to, twas
determined that the choice of the Convention be
aSeertained by ballot. Whereupon q ballot was
mao, and upon the announcement of the result OF
the ballot, it was, on motion,
Resotced, That DR.. SAMUEL RANKIN and Col. DA-
VID LENTz, are the unanimous choice of this Con-
~vention.