Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-07-11
From the n. C. Telegraph
AN APPEAL

TO ALL PATRIOTIC AMERICANS.
Fcllop Citizens
We all concur in the
opinion that whatever may be the successes
or defeats of any Of our political parties, the
government Of our country is best admins
tered when hjgh-minded patriots are at the
helm Of State. So long as political trick
sters are allowed to make their livelihood by
tho spoils which they wrest from the public
treasury, and obtain the keys to the treasury
by virtue Of Office, and obtain Office 10y foul
means for selfish purposes, the liberties Of
tie Republic are unsafe. There is not an
observing and candid man in the nation who
does not know that the binding power of
intoxicating drinks is brought to bear gen.
orally at our elections, and that ordinarily a
very large number of those who exercise the
privilege Of the ballot box, approach Shat ar
bitter Of national destiny under an influence
which wholly units them to decide upon
even the most trivial question Of life. The
observing and candid men Of the nation
must also know that our candidates for office
too generally pander to the baseness Of the
more dcprayed rather than defer to views OF
the more v]irtuous portion Of their c%onstitu-
ency. The consequence is that Rum has
the control Of the ballot box, Rum appoints
our Legislatures and inaugurates our Cover
nors. This state Of things must continue
until the vir,uous and patriotic among us
shall be organized into a regular party, hav-
inc the balance Of power and pledged to be-
stow that power only upon those who viii
use it faithfully for the good OF the whole
country.
Impressed with these views last year, an
order was instituted to secure these ends as
far as practicable. Its style is " The Lnde
gcndent Imericaas." Please read and pom
der our
PLEDGE.
al deliberately and s]2iemuly pledge my homo
us a man and Ms nm American citizen, that | vii
not vote for any candidate for any office OF honor
trust, or cmolument, in which he can give CBteId
opposition 20 the suppression OF the tratlc IN IN
tuXieating LIQUORS by legislative enactment, be
Ieying him 10 be opposed TO such Il mode oil sup
preston And I furthermore, as above, riedg
myself TO give the force Of my social ana poiiilea
influence &C. such measures as l CONSCIENTIOUS
believe will finally result in the suppression OF tn
traffic by legislative authority, and | Will as lar q
consistent with individual and political freedom
cndeavor TO harmonic the action OF the CLUB
which belong, and Of the Order generally, Thu
cur votes at all elections may US far as %praeiible /
thrown together.
Ia addition I pledge myself to consider the o.
legation, now entered into, sacredly binding unit
three months after the day upon which l sha
nave made formal application, MS in the Constlt
ton OF my Club provided, for q card Of withdraw9
Finally / pledge myself ms much as in me Ii
To promote the growth and success of the ord'
observing alliN laws, rules and regulations n
by proPagating its principles
Allow me most respectfully to call 20
attention to the advantages this Order pr
sents.
l.. All American citizens, native or ado
cd, may be members, provided hey are c
ttled to vote.
: Inebriates who have unsuccessful,
tried Drory form of temperance pledge, a
whose onrg salvation is in a prohibitory Ia
can be mentors, and exert the moral pow