Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-17
FOR II SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
A North Carolina Liouor Law.

To THE EDITORS OF NORTH CAROLINA:
Gentlennn,-WA you oblige the under
signed by inserting this article in your res.
pective papers, and laying before your rea-
ders your views upon it, at your earliest
convenience? By doing 50, you will no
doubt interest your readers, and perhaps,
do a service to suffering humanity.
1t is conceded on all hands, that intern
perance is one of the greatest (if not the
greatest curses to mankind. To cure and
remove it, is perhaps one of the most i'm
portant subjects which now agitates the
public mind in North Carolina. To effect
this desirable object, it has been proposed,
lst. To pass a prohibitory law similar in
its principles and details to the Maine Lii
quor Law. But this is objected to as un-
wise, arbitrary and impossible to be enforced.
2ndly. 1t has been proposed, to amend
our present License law, SO as to make it
more efficient in suppressing the evil, eth
er by conforming it to the Mississippi ten
gallon law, or by making it more difficult
to obtain q License, or to increase the tax
upon the vender. But these plans are also
objected to, as wrong in principle, encour,
aging a monopoly, inefficient and difficult
of enforcement.
1t would be impossible to frame a law
to which no objection could arise. The con-
aict between duty and right on the one hand,
and appetite and interest on the other, is too
great, to hope for perfect unanimity. And
yet something must be done. And we be-
lieve none can do more than you can, gen
tlemen, in effecting this object.
Each State should be- protector, a friend
"a nursing mother to its citizens. She can.
not be.guiltless, and encourage or license an
evil-an injury upon them. To derive 6
revenue from such license is a double wrong
In order if possible, to reconcile these
conflicting opinions and unite the people o
North Carolina on some feasible plan to e
radicate the monster evil, we propose tn,
passage Of a law by our next Legislature
to embody the following principles. W
will call it
"THE NORTH CAROLINA LIQUOR LAW
/. That 70 person shall vend or sell in
toxicating liquors in any quantity in thi
State without a license.
2. That the several County Courts alon
shall have the power to grant licenses a
their discretion. Provided, that they sha
not grant license to any one Except such a
are hereinafter named) who shall not frs
obtain the recommendation of tWenty-fv
respectable house-keepcrs in his immediat
vicinity, and execute a bond to the Sheriff
the County to thcamount Of $-- wit
good security, as an indemnity to the Stat
? IL. :o1A.o- r H. l.
5 3. That the only tax upon the licen.
t shall be- cents to be paid to the Cle1
for issuing such license.
4. That any white person who shall |
convicted before the Courts of selling il
|, toxicating liquors either directly or ind
rectly to any person whatsoever, without
license, shall be fined s. for every O
fence OF imprisoned at the discretion of I'll
! Court. And if he or she be a free negr
I or slave, shall be fined, whipped or impri
oned at the discretion Of the Court.
! 5. That no licensed person shall sell i
! toxicating liquors either directly OF inc
rectly to a slave for his or her own u
e at any time ; nor on any account without
G written permit from his or her owner /; al
d for every such offence shall be fined s.
6. That no authorized vender shall s.
either directly or indirectly intoxicating
quors to any person while in a state of
toxication; nor to any white person or fl
person of color under 81 years of age !
his or her own use at any time, nor on al
account without the written consent of
or her parent, guardian or master or m
= tress in the case of an apprentice and
70 every such offence. shall be fined s..
ic Z. That all legal vendors of i~ntoxicati
liquors and those who shall sell without
ID cense, shall be liable for damages before I
I'd Courts in addition to the fines imposed,
lr all injuries or damages arising from
T. sale of intoxicating liquors by them in
~ olation of the provisions of this law.
is 8. That all druggists or apothecaries "
at sell intoxicating liquors must be licen;
ell at the discretion of the Court, after 9
ing a bond as above for s. bind
no them not to sell in violation of the pro,
OK ions of this law and only for mechanic
medicinal or sacramental purposes to f
nc white persons in person or to their writ
.ay order. To be fined s. for every often