Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-07
Grand Division Proceedings.

We publish on our first page, this week,
a large portion Of the Proceedings of the late
session Of the Grand Division, believing most
of our readers will be pleased to read the
interesting details communicated therein
Next week we will give the remainder.
There is one matter not yet reached in this
publication, of such general interest and i'm
portance, that we give it below, so that all
may see at once the position assumed by the
Grand Division, concerning legislation on the
liquor traffic. The action taken is predica-
ted upon a sincere desire to remove the Tenn
perance reform as far as possible from the
political arena-to disconnect it, as much as
it can be done, from party or political bear
ings or interference with their affiliations
and especially to place the question on the
plain, broad republican ground of letting the
voice of the People rule in the matter.
Hitherto partisan prejudices and jealous
les have been aroused against the reform,
upon the ground of its interference with the
political issues of the day. The position now
assumed is not susceptible to this objection.
Every candidate can surely agree to vote for
a law that will give the people an opportunity
t to express their wishes, whether he be IA
vorable to the reform or ot-an this sim
: pie agreement removes this element from the
l campaign, and leaves every voter to adhere
: to the party to which his preferences incline
T him. We do not think a feasible objection
! can be raised against it.
s Th following are the Preamble and Resc-
g luton adopted, which we submit without
further remark:
Whereas, it is the settled conviction Of this Grand
DIVISION that the laws of the land should provide
for the protection of the citizens from the evils
arising from the liquor traffic and whereas we be-
lieve this protection should be lodged, by law, in
the hands of the sovereign People themselves =
And believing that the blending of the question of
Temperance with partizan squabbles, and by bring
ing it SO as to interfere with the party affiliations of
" independent voters, has had an effect to prejudice
and embarass our cause: And with a desire to dis
= engage it from all entangling alliances and politi-
lie cal issues, so that it may stand upon its own in
tr1nsic merits, and appeal, by its own commend
tlons, to the countenance and support of all good
citizens of the State, of every party Therefore,
ResOtred, as the sense of this Grand Division,
that we simply ask of candidates for the Legisla-
III ture who may desire our votes, that they will con-
TO sent to vote, if elected, for the passage of a law by
or which our present license law may be so changed
at as to provide that intoxicating drinks shall not b
of SOFA WITHIN the State, IN any quantities, except I'm
der license obtained And further providing, tina
the question OF " Traffic or No Traffic" be sub
IL mitted, annually, to the voters in each Common
;e, School District in the State in those Districts il
of which a majority vote n Traffic" no sales of in
en- toxicating drinks to be allowed by law, an ana
nd quantities, except for medicinal, mechanical or sac
ramental purposes, to be provided for b.. law ::
! And in those Districts in which 4 majority vot,
I" Traffic" the same to be legalized, under license
ms with such regulations, restrictions and discretionary
OF powers, as the Legislature may see fit to provide.