Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-05-23
paptr.
Aspirancy for Political Fame.

controlling stimulus of young men, educated ma
and uneducated. 1t has it's origin, we admit, tic
in our nature, for man is fond of distinction, be
fond of welding the sceptre of power. Our pc
institutions. also, in their high and impartial W
wisdom, have said that all men possess equal I'll
rights and upon this declaration rest the Of
pillars which support our glorious national m
temple. But the present age has perverted il
its original intent, and made 1t the ali-stlmu- h
lating cause of a thirst for political ielevation. d
What is it's nature? 1t does not develope Ii
the various mental powers. ItS3oes not I
strengthen the afections-it does not teach n
the nature of that great union which holds |
society together. Being commonto the many, |
and attainable bnt by the few, it creates an e
ungenerous rivalry among its yotarles. All {
in fancy gaze upon the shining halo of great
ness which encircles the rulers, and each re-
solves to CRAFTY his selfish aims, though at
the expense of the common veal.
What is the effect produced by such a state
of things? All the faculties of mind are ap-
piled and made sybservient to one end-in-
dividual elevation. To use the language ola
beautiful anonymous writer on another sub
ject, though equally applicable to this-a
fondness for excitement is created, and the
mind is ever longing and painting for this
excitement. Parties start up, and society is
engrossed and agitated by party discussions,
dissensions which awaken and cherish old
preiudices and sectional feelings, to the
smothering of those which are purer and no.
bier discussions which combine bad ambi-
ton and immature intellect; discussions which
elicit cunning and chicanery, instead of
throwing out the brilliant thought or touch
ing the chord of high affection discussions,
} in which that calm serenity which chastens
} the powers, passions and emotions which I'M
: fold the higher graces and charities of our
! nature, is unknown discussions, in which
2 patriotism, which is a love as universal as it
4 is noble and aspiring, is forgotten dissen-
4 sions which terminate in the elevation of
some ambitious leader to the high throne of
power attained, not unfrequently, through
such appliances as SANDER, bribery and the
" whiskey bottle. Is society the better after
> Witnessing and engaging in such scenes?
We would not be understood as inveighing
g. against politics and political parties they
II are part and parcel with our National and
IL State Institutions. Politics, from the nature
io of the social organization, enter into and ne
:" cessarily become an inherent characteristic
NC of society. There must be a government o
10 laws, and it is necessary that the people un
: derstand the nature and effect of legislation
:" but we would not have the heated politica
arena considered as the only one worthy G
entering. We would have self, sometime:
give way for the common good. We woul
point to the rich fields Of philanthropy an
-, literature as worthy some of our powers.
- -
The .Hrrr1Ne THE NAIL ON THE HEAp.-The Pro
CIV are generally old fashioned and general
po- behind the times, but we confess that we ha,
great faith in the preeept and example of jess
~. christ. We believe that if temperance were MAJ
~" more a moral and religious question, and less
the political one, it would make much greater progres
We believe that the men who put themselves fo
ward, or who are put forward, as its advocate
for might greatly strengthen their influence, if thu
elo- would personally decline the political preferme
oh which so many of them seek with an eagerne
that throws more than suspicion upon their m
,oh- tlves, and provokes the opinion-which, wheth
on true or false, has become very general-that wi
the too many, temperance is a means, not an end"
The above precious mOrcedu we have Sc
ch a eopied INTO several OF the political papers
rted this State, with commentator: and have he
but struck with the inconsistent, not to say hyr
' critical, course they have pursued towards t
n. temperance reform. They would fam ma
their readers believe that they regard tie
4, perance as a very sacred thing, only to
= - discussed by divines and from the sacr
Il desk. But the observation-disclosures of
able such pretentions is too apparent, when
ds OF read such articles rs the one these very
pers have copied, namely, the low and SCI
: rillous letter addressed to Rev. DR.. Steph
,mpt Tying, of Philadelphia, for no other offer
and than that of being a jealous advocate
'ould temperance. Shame, shame upon such
. d ~blushing hypocrisy.
ne Of With the latter part of the paragra
above quoted, we have little to say, exc
that while we would abhor and despise
man who would make temperance a mea
oostle for personal or political promotion, inst
rday, of : a means for doing good, yet so OF
{ ana has the cause been betrayed by design
'nhIv corrupt politicians, that in order to sec
n all the great end the friends Of tempera
I'll as have found out that it is essential
r1ons avowed, open-mouthed temperance men
viii placed in political stations. Politicians |
ion Of been tried and deceived us long enough.
ended Another inconsistency is found, in
fact, that while for years the only means
frank lied on and appealed to, was that of mo
week, ~suasion, thereby making it a purely nc
l who question, not one of these gentlemen
Satur- pirate so SIMULTANEOUSLY about temper;
COM being a moral and religious question,
one of them ever united with these agen,
'0 none of them ever joined the Sons of I
perance or any other society, to carry
conve- ward this great moral question. Blu
he stead, were swallowing their liquor
carping at that phase Of the movement
4 bu;It the present.
of true All that deceit should steal such gentle shap
lment, And with a virtuous visor hide deep vice.
y will
BF Tomorrow Thursday is the
ginia election for State officers and mem
of Conuross The most intense politica