Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-05

way to all manner of evil. The Legisla-
ture from the first forbid it in our own State.
At one short period they were prevailed on
to repeal the no licenseIlaw but this OPEN
ed such hoodgate to the influx of dissipa-
tion, ambling, intoxication and depravity,
that they soon restored the law to our stat.
ute book with increased penalties. And if
they may subject to heavy penalties per-
sons engaged in this unlawful business,
what is there in intoxicating liquor bought
to be sold contrary to law, to move the
law makers to any parfal legislation ex-
empting this scourge # our race. And !.
If stolen goods may be searched for any
where, on a magistrate warrant, after oath
made by credible witness Of his belief
that they are SO concealed, whence can arise
any apology for rum thus concealed for
unlawful sale. The case of lotteries gives
striking analogy. Our statutes forbid
the setting up of lotteries. A lottery is a
nuisance, because it entices men to put
their earnings to the decisions of chance,
and this in itself is corrupting-and be-
cause it tempts them to idleness and neg
lect of all domestic duty, and therefore it
is prohibited And inasmuch as any at
/ tempt TO regulate such an enterprise would
be vain, the Legislature would eradicate the
evil and forbid under penalty the sale of
lottery tickets.
1t Is perceived, therefore, that matters
and pursuits rightful in themselves, become
nuisances as they injuriously affect health
or morals. And this feature of Legislative
power may be seen in our oldest codes of
law, applied also to other kindred cases
indeed, the doctrine may be traced far into
past ages Of the common law. It is rooted
in the first principles Of public duty and
} enlightened conscience.
: Now the traffic in intoxicating liquors
as beverage, tried by these great rules,
| stands at the head of all mischievous trades.
, We have the experience of more than sixty
years, that it has been always regarded as
an insidious enemy to public health, purity,
and peace. The Legislature for all that
}, time, and longer, has been engaged in the
: fruitless attempt to regulate the business
by license to selected few, by prohibition
against sales by small measures, and by
froWns against any sale without license
$ And the evil has grown stronger, year af-
l ter yea, and has become monster, almost
defying law and public sentiments. More
If than one hundred groggeries in New Bruins
$ wick, more than seven hundred in Newark,
:, and multiplied all over our own State,
L corrupting the morals and destroying the
health of our people as no other practice,
d trade, or habit could do, and as all together
'r have never done Talk of regulation 1T
g laughs at regulation-it fattens upon it.
a. Thirteen of our States have yielded with
is sad, yet deep convictions to the truth, that
70 no remedy can reach the mischief, but an
[e absolute prohibition of the traffic. They
OF prohibit all sales of lottery tickets, because
y such sales would perpetuate lotteries-so
OF they prohibited all sales Of intoxicating
10 liquors as beverage, because, they see
le and know that any mere regulation will
sustain the trade and perpetuate the vast
ing mischief.
The clause of forfeiture of the liquor
r. seems to have alarmed some minds, beside:
n. counselors who have spoken through the
D. press. A moments thought will relieve
the fear. There is no magic terror il
he the word. For what is fine but for
80 feiture Of so much Of mans property t.
er- the State. Suppose that in the law agains
ce horse racing, the law makers had assessed
he the fine according to the worth of the hors
lis say, for instance, $1,OOO-would it no
be taking the property Of the ira nsgresso
tic quite as really and substantially as by fol
las feiting the horses. It is taking my prop
it erty,' says the objector and is not ever
he fine taking away your property? Yes, an
ch if it does not arrest the forbidden race Q
prohibited sale, the law may take your PEI
ge son next, and that, together with you
nd property, put the one in the Public Trea
Did ury and the other in the Public Prison
lty and this until the authority Of the law
ice maintained and vindicated.
all The true nature and just aim of all SCUM
i'd government is to guard the rights, interest
she and morals of the community, watchfull
is, and faithfully.
on said the interest of the people, whe
A no direct question of morals can be raise
ar. but only considerations of comfort ar
me well-being. Hence it is that to kill gam
rhe or to fish for shad after certain day, e
use poses to penalty; and in all matte
set touching the public welfare, the Legislatu
'ACA AdsO VIC duO udFG
= exercised it. And all considerate MI
ust should give the law their aid and count
ter nance for the sake of greater good Ora
ned ted that the use eff wine in itself is a lawf
avy indulgence, yet of its tendency is injurio,
the if it leads to other excessses, if it opens t
reat way for the poisonous adulteration of win
less Gas it does most graciously,) and of all {
ity. citing liquors-as Paul did in his day
no should we. Who would not deny hims
EN-, to save friend ? to save his country a
But who can gravely maintain that the sale
and intoxicating liquors is not harmful, a
rom most destructive of health, character, a
,ney domestic comfort. I would fetch mel
, to choly arguments from the tears of neglec
rails. families hearted wives and sta
gate ing children-from the poor house,
any prison, and the graveyard-I would a
dian for the sake of human nature, if it be
And time to abolish forever this ruinous tra1
lass. And to accomplish it We must stand toge
'e on er-we must raise pure and lofty sta
Tful ard, and then lead, and not wait to fol
hout public opinion. And this without drea
little a little extravaganza. A cause tha
when worthy of hearty support, will alv
that, kindle enthusiasm, and this sometimes
is a followed by occasional extravaganza.
1t reformation did not kindle warmth in
onor- bosom, it would be a very strong proof
|, and it had no great merit. | would wish