Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-26
audb eu1Gnn Genpaante ah fmae deeLr ge6a paper.
A few words Of sober Reasoning.


A few words Of sober Reasoning.
It is too much the case with many writer's
and speakers against the cause of Reform, to
indulge in violent d~enunciation and misrep-
resentation, without venturing to give one
or advance a solid argument to show the
of their declarations. And yet the
are expected toDtake th~isserTing of
stuff as Gospel truth. This is neither cred
table to the person indulging in them. nor
respectful to the persons addressed. If time
or ability be wanting to investigate the sub
ject and elucidate the facts bearing upon it,
they should pass it by, and not require i'm
plicit relial upon their word, or assume a
thing to be fact upon a mere Say-so.
We propose to discuss seriously the inju-
rious tendency and effects of the Liquor Traf-
fe upon the community And to do this we
shall deal in facts and arguments, knowing
that the reason once convinced and the judg-
ment enlightened, the work of reform is more
than half accomplished.
So far as regulating what a man shall eat
or drink, we know we have no right to inter
fere but with the liquor-seller, him who is
visiting upon community the direst evils
through his business, s~uperinducing murder,
infamy, poverty and destruction to all the
best interests of society-with him we are at
war, as with the enemy of God and Liberty.
This class of men are opposed to all moral
reforms, opposed to the laws of the land
they violate the dearest and most sacred of
social and domestic ties, desecrate the hottest
Offices and restraints, and array themselves
against the safeguards thrown up for the pro-
lection Of the public good.
To prove this, we have only to appeal to
the observation and experience of every man.
What good, moral OF religious work, are IL
quor sellers engaged in advancing? Do they
aid in spreading the Bible, disseminating
! tracts, relieving the widow, clothing the or:
phan? On the contrary, is not the Legitimate
Y tendency of their business to increase wick
0 edness, difuse ignorance, empoverish and
beggar all who deal with them !! They op
pose the laws of the land by Decorating the
4 sabbath which the law says shall not be made
q udJ VI AdAO Wy N1LiOlIS hi6A uNC uuO
r others against the express provisions Of law
D. by scouting and mocking the tears and pray
ers of wives and children to refuse the mad
Is dening cup of intoxication to degraded an
a ruined husbands and fathers bydealing GU
W to slaves that which produces rebellion, dis
n cord and insurrection-in a word by leopard
~ ing the safety of community, for his ow.
e. gain!
oh Upon this state of thing no man is /" Kno7
he Nothing" All know and feel that they kno
nd enough, and too much, of the evil effects
the Liquor Trafic-all must feel sensible thu
dc imminent danger threatens community
long as politicians fawn, and fatter, an
league with this destroyer of the best int:
an ests Of society and the government und'
,ra which we live. Should not every good eli
zen see the importance Of rebuking any ma
The or party which seeks to add to their streng
ms from such a class secretly operating to t
- Inc Time mas come when every man shou
to AcT-but let our action be in calmness a
frmness. To destroy the frebrand of t
,on enemy let us seize upon the 6dUot-bor. II
ing is the freeman's weapon to whose purity o
i've country looks with hope and confidence. [
not this hope and confidence be in vain.