Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-03-01
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
To the Voter.

AS the great question Of Prohibition has
been properly referred to the people of North
Carolina, upon its own merit, Invested Of all
party prejudice, by our late State Conven-
ton, it now becomes our province to appeal
to every voter In the State, regardless of his
party predictions, to rid US in carrying
through the next Legislature the republican
principle of Prohibition. To this end | shall
address myself to the Voter, be he Wing or
Democrat.
The principle of Prohibition belongs to
neither party it originated with neither, but
with q large and respectable number of the
members of each party. These men have
openly declared in solemn assembly, that
they wished this measure to be connected
with neither party. This was right and pro-
per. We now give our measure up to the
PEOPLE, and ask them to examine its claims
to their support. The present is the most
critical era in the history of Temperance
Now is the time for the friends of this meas
ure to come to its aid with their best wea-
pons,' as you have very truthfully said, Mr..
Editor, in a former number of your paper
Now is the time, Mr.. Editor, for your Cores
respondents to use their pens in explaining
our objects and in urging the Importance and
necessity of a Prohibitory Lawfor the people
Of North Carolina.
Mr.. Editor, what has become of your log
icaP Correspondent, 'DIKos.' His sound ar
guments are much needed at our present
crisis. Your intelligent Correspondent, 'TEM-
PERANTIA has lately given US a refreshing
shower Of his unanswerable arguments
Let US hear from him again. In fine, let US
hear from each and all of our Prohibitory
Correspondents. Let us all fall into ranks
and labor like men, soldiers, for the redemp-
lion of our native State from the CALLING
chains of incompetence. While we are thus
engaged in our pleasant, righteous work, we
will be cheered on to renewed exertions, in
our glorious cause, by the chaste, beautiful
and intellectual Communication Of our intel
ligent and accomplished 'LoRA,' the .tdtrest of
the fair.
Voter, can you reflect upon this subject,
that WOMAN favors, and then hesitate one
moment as to what you will do? Come,
give us your aid Cast your ballot for 8 Pro-
hibltion' and sweep the vile liquor traffic
from off the face of our statute book. Why,
Voter, l feel happier and p~rouder, while re-
fecting upon the redemption of our State
for one minute, than any rum-swelled fogy,
or wine-bloated aristocrat. Voter, have you
ever thought seriously of the important rela
ton that you sustain to your country? Your
position, sir, is a responsible one. The des
tiny of the Republic is in your hands. The
Constitution of our country has confded tC
your safe-keeping the honor, the happiness
and prosperity of our common country. TX
you, all questions affecting the government
of the people are to be referred. By you,
sovereign voice they are to rise or fall. You
see, hen, the responsibility of your position
You plainly see that you're acts, as sovereigns
arc to affect the happiness of the people, eli
Their for good or evil. just so far as they at
feet the happiness and prosperity of the PEG
pie, just so far are you responsible for you
vote, according to your intelligence.
Voter, examine, without prejudice, thi
question of Prohibition which has been re
fered to you by our State Convention. Lis
ten not to the demagogical objections of pc
litical aspirants who care for nothing excep
party triumph and selfadvaHcement. Thi
is a grave question. 1t asks for the total al
clifton of the liquor traffic. 1t should engag
your serious attention. You are aware {
the working of our present restrictive licens
law. By the operations of this unjust, al
ti-ropublican statute, our honest tax payer
are cheated out of near three millions of do
lars annually. Wives are made widows an
the opulent are reduced to want. Crime
protected more often than punished. It is
plain contradiction! 1t regards the sale
liquor as an evil, and therefore, places it il
to the hands of good moral men, as if the
were the only men who could be guilty off
evil act without c~ffecting an injury.
Voter, give Is Prohibition; that's VIII
we need. This is the true American do
trine the doctrine of revolutionary memor
Its operation will be directly opposite to r
striction, which nOv taxes the people mo.
than internal improvements or CONNIE
schools. The difference between prohibitiC
and restriction is this: the former protec
the interests of the whole people, where
the latter protects the interest of the or
seller only. INVINCIBLE.
BeA Lord Bacon in his works gives t
following singular account: He says tn
on one occasion he saw the heart of a m
/ who was e~mboweled, las a traitor, whic