Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-19
1857.
AN EARNEST APPEAL.

To THE FRIENDS OF THE TEMPERANCE Re-
FoRMi-In a number of Counties in North
Carolina there arecandidates for the Legisla-
ture pledged to me advancement Of the Re-
formatory measures which we have been so
long and earnestly battling for. Through
our agency and at our request gentlemen
have lent US the use of their names End in
fuence, in order that we might be able to
vote for men who, if elected, will labor to
promote the great issue we have so long
been struggling to raise. Shall tce support
them, in good faith, honor and energy, as it
is our duty to do or shall we falsify all eur
professions and meanly desert them and our
principles?
These are questions which every friend of
the movement must settle for himself. Shall
we be led away by the cry of stick to par
ty''-don't prove " Observation-Disclosures
your principles and " 90 for party"-not-
withstanding we have been resolving and re-
resolving that we would make this Reform
tie question that would influence us in this
election? Have notthese very political game
sters who are now trying to wheedle us into
their support, been all the time heaping mis-
representation and insult upon us and our
objects? Aye, verify have they. But now
, that they have need for our votes, they come
r with coaxing words and honied phrase, hold
E ing out false lights and false promises which
!. they have as little intention of redeeming, as
they had respect for US before they desired
our votes and as soon as the election shall
have been determined, they will manifest for
us and our cause the same want of respect
and sympathy for our motives and objects
H. they have always lone. Letus rebuke their
y impertinence and hypocrisy at the ballot
II box, the only place where thick-hided poll
ticians are at all sensitive.
II But aside from these considerations, there
on is an important one which we must not over
On look or disregard: The cause of Reform has
n now assumed an offensive attitude, from which
its friends cannot recede without shame and
in- disgrace. 1t has assumed a position which
ms we have long feared would have to come, but
pa long desired, if come it must. Are we un-
worthy the crisis? After calling upon our
fellow-citizens to behold the dangers surround
ties ing them, shall we ingloriously and with era
ion ven fear desert the field and leave the enemy
uld to revel in triumph over our yansuished for
cen ces! Never, in Gods name neYer-is tn,
cry of every valiant, true. hearted friend o
lch the cause. There is but one way to proven
this calamity, and that is to stand by GU
principles and men, whatever be the result
ore whether triumph or defeat await us. In n
ken other way can we succeed-upon no othC
inc terms do we deserve to triumph.
Upon the stand taken and maintained b
OPP the Reform men this year, depends the prom
,eir inency and power of our organization henc
by forth. If a bold and decided stand be mai
lev tanned, "unawed by fear and unbribed I
s of gain" if the demonstration made in 1854
the such as to show that we intend to carry O.
Tere our oft-expressed Observation-Disclosures Il
is a greatest barrier in our way to success wi
it'll have been removed, and in 1856 we shall
ave able to take a position so high and ennoblir
the that defeat will be impossible.
ible In the selection Of candidates by polite
the parties generally, a wanton disrespect of Il
ard views of temperance men has been NANTES
anu lit HOIutlSeS nave nuFIeQ ue0ance al
r or contempt in our teeth, by refusing to acce
UNI to any proposition from us, however reason
con- bic and proper in itself. And now, forsoot
Ject every democrat is told with an impuden
oy and efrontery unparalleled, that W mu
use support these very men who have thus inst
ted US, or we will be branded as disorgal
GERS and factionists"-every whig is told th
he must support party men, although tn
Is OF are seeking to gain seats in the Legislatu
hde- in violation of the laws of the State, by C
sgls- culating the whiskey bottle and thus deg
c. ding the high Office to which they aspire !
$ to Are men party sLaUes, to be thus order
y 9 and drilled? However others may act,
ruin the result prove that the friends of ReHol
'ate- are true and independent FREEMEN-and
tng us vote for no s1an but the known friends
t af- Raform
de- @