Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-25
The Cost! The Cost!

we gave, two weeks since, an article Civ
ing something of the fruits of the liquor
trafhc In North Carolina we now propose
glancing at the expense, or cost, to the State,
IN keeping up said trafic-all of which comes
out OF the hard earnings of the people-the
sober, and Industrious portion of the PEG
pie-tor the ~drunkards, whose conveniences
1t chiefly serves. pay but little taxes in foot
ing up the bill.
mere is paid for the support of the crimi-
nal Courts-judges, attorneys, sherifs, clerks
and other officers, in North Carolina, at least
100000.
For the support of Lunatics made so
through the influence of intoxicating drinks,
atleast $50, 000-and three times that amount
II we take into account the cost of the cree
ton of the Lunatic Asylum.
jail fees and other expenses incurred by
individuals and the counties for offences
committed under the influence of strong
drink, at least $4,000 more.
For the support of Poor houses, nine-tenths
OF the inmates of which were carried there
oy intemperance, at least $50, 1900.
Ihere are many other items which might
iegitlmately be enumerated in the list of d.
rect expenses flowing from the traffic bat
we forbear, lest it be said we are INDUCING
IN extravagant calculations. Then let as
add together the items above enumerated.
and which all who have given the subject
any attention know to be short of the reality;
and we have an aggregate Of S250,000 per
annum
NOW, let any sane man look at the traffic
as it exists this day, and say whether this
army of officers, supported at this immense
expense, has been able so to regulate and
restrain 1t as to make it a blessing to be
cherished and perpetuated, either as a COM
mercl0t interest, or a means of adding to the
general health, morals, and prosperity, of the
people.
Let no one be deceived by the senseless
cry that the fault is in the officers, who fail
to 10 their duty by executing and enforcing
the law. 1t may be true that the officers
fail in many things-we believe they do In
some-but we have abundant evidence thai
they have been busy. The jails are full the
work houses are full the poor houses are
full the penitentiarieS arc full and the
dockets OF the criminal courts are, on thi:
day, larger than ever before. These facts,
IN connection with the large sums paid fol-
costs OF prosecutions in the criminal court
and before the police magistrates, show thai
vigorous efforts have been made by the off
GERS to execute the law. The fault is not in
the officers. TIL whole system is rotten
All our legislation has been wrong, and VIZ
believe much of it immoral and anti-christian
NO community has a right to authorize tn,
commission of crime-or, what is the same
thing, establish a system that necessarily
leads to the commission of crime-and Their
pass and enforce laws to punish those whc
commit 1t. The laws relate to a traffic which
cannot from its nature be regulated or res
trained, and no officers, however vigilant
can execute and enforce them. Indeed. il
could scarcely be worse if all restraints were
repealed, and the people left to their unassis.
ted energies for protection. In point of fact
the law, as it now is, has ceased to be a ter
ror to evil doers.' The criminal stalks througl
your streets at midday, and laughs your
officers to scorn helpless women are robbed
IN your public streets wives and helpless in.
fancy are shot to death by Infatuated mad
men, made such by liquor sold at licensed
establishments the torch OF the incendiar1
blazes at night, and riot and disorder prevail
through the day. All this is the natural
the necessary work of the system, and must
continue until it is repealed. Shall it be
done? We can do it if we will, and we sol.
EMMY believe that we shall be recreant to
ourselves and our posterity, to our country
and to our God, if we fail to exert every ener.
gy IN our power to effect it. 1t will REQUIRE
selt-denial and some sacrifice of pride. as we'll
as some money; but we must do it, or we are
disgraced.