Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-09-20
The Contrast.

Though sufficiently lovely in character and al
captivating in demeanor to excite the adml- W
alton of although to the yirtuous and y
rood a life Of sobriety and abstemiousness is II
% commendable and p~raiseworthy, yet IN "
most persons there is o constant lncinatlon d
to find some middle ground, some halfway \
point, where indulgence in the exhilarating t
draught may be allowed, and yet at the same a
time security from the evils of intoxicatlon e
he maintained. There seems to be anatural I
to drunkenness, and yet there Is
q strong. unnatural, and to some an %irresis-
tible tendency of conduct that inevitably
leads to it. There is an inexplicability, a
terrible mystery in the thing, that battles all
philosophy and puts to fault all human reas-
oning, in attempting to fathOm the dread
truth
The worlds eye is no stranger to the hap
py homes, the cheerful 6~resiues, where Tenn
parance reigns the presiding genius, dispens.
ing health, and comfort, and peace, and joy
to all the inmates, and where the visitor is
charmed by the lessons and scenes OF virtue,
piety and sweet content he learns and wit
nesses. there The voice of prrsse and graft
tude is always there-prosperity and thrift
dwell there-no angry words and scenes OF
discord and strife mai the happy scene-but
the day and night afford in the succession of
each some new source of enjoymentan pleas
ure as softening and subduing in all the gra-
ces of pious humility, as they are manly and
ennobling in their effects. Such a sight is
one on which the eye and mind delight to
linger-there is a charm, a sacredness about
such a scene that calls forth the warmest adj
miration of every beholder. Who could not
wish that such was a faithful picture of eve,
~ household in the land ?
But then turn we to the scenes of Intern
perance-how dark, how uninviting, how re
pulsive !! In the gayest hour of merriment
in the brightest seasons of revelry-whel
the wine cup sparkles in the jewelled han
of beauty-when the gay sallies of wit an
repartee scintiIlate with coruscations throw
off from the excited imaginations and wine
heated intellects ofthe brilliant and educated
even here, where beauty and intelligence pre-
side, and where Bacchus holds his reg;
court, and says to all his votaries-
Gone sip of this
Will battle the dropping spirits in delight,
Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise and taste"
Even in this chosen, "innocent" throng, the
looms up a foreboding of sorrow and angus
that is yet to fall to the lot of the %fairest, Il
most virtuous and noble of that giddy al
5 ~thoughtless assemblage. In the lapse of year
t how many of those in that brilliant crowd
h the elite and refined, will be drooling in t
drunkard's filth and how many of the ia
: and beautiful there, will be that despised,
= .jected thing-a drunkard's rife! And til
!. fashion, and etiquette, and hospitality m
,r ply the enchanted cup with never SO mu
h polished dexterity and civility-there is
- -+-r-~+~tta4vy rir~U Uuose VINO quail a
n but kindling and feeding a passion that
II the end will /" bite like a serpent and sti
% like an adder"
Turn we then to an humber scene, whe
to the stalwart arm of industry and indept
a. dence has been rendered powerless and ner'
nr less by the blighting, whitening influence
- AnOCLA pei blCOs II 6u0SbIOHg uldu DUu
n and fettered by cords and chains which
y fy the mightiest effort, the most potent W
:: till he yields a willing victim to the slave
and degradation and infamy to which Int
perance has consigned him.
And so we pass on from one scene to
i'd other, in regular gradatory steps, till
lid reach the foot of the fearful decline and '
ness the low, disgusting brothel and midni
We debauch with all its horrid accompaniment
ny and hear the impious cursings, and see
t~ortuous writings of the miserable inebri
n.y. as he battles with devils " come to tort
a.. him before his time"-when to free him
m he seizes the suicidal knife and rushes un-
given into the presence of Him whose chan
les less word cuts off all hope of life and heav
ur- The entire scene is but one living, NOV
panorama of an undetached whole, as natu
AN and irresistible as that effect must foil
90 cause. The last group is composed of tn
who filled up the picture of the gay and h
a. Ply throng we first described. The wretch
bloated dwelling drunkard Of the one, !
us the noble, Intellectual gallant of the other
to AhO Z 'AhS' AhJulCU, tIAChSu, CIlLHlLldl 1
of the latter, is the same brilliant Jewel
ra Belle Of the former !-Butohi what achani
led And this is life Men and women l.
on the sad cortege as it passes before The
and sigh over the Notwithstanding scene
then turn to act again themselves a SINH
rst part In the horrible drama of life!
in In the home of Temperance, thank G
it where its health-giving and pleasure-best
a.) ing principles are acknowledged and prev
nv there are no such scenes to be detailed.
nd may be more humble, but there is a peace, {
lat joy, and heavenly serenity, to which the m
h. gorgeous and regal scenes of revelry {
lie, wine-crowned feasts are forever doomed
as be strangers.
zen In the contrast here given is it not apr
ZEN ent that the path of Temperance-the tt
nd abstinence from all intoxicating drinks
ar the only one of safety, the only one that lie
to virtue, sobriety and true rational emf
ment?
THESTATE FAIR Proper steps were tai
by the Town Meeting, on Tuesday week
u provide ample entertainment for all who n
for