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

At the last session of the Grand Diyi-
sion, a committee was appointed, to petition
the Legislature of North Carolina, then
soon to assemble, to pass law giving the
privilege to the voters in each school or
civil district, to say whether Intoxicating
liquors should be sold in said district in
any quantities.
The committee faithfully and promptly
discharged their duty, and in obedience to
the instructions of the Grand Division,
the memorial to the Legislature.
That memorial together with numerous
others upon the same subject, from thou
sands of the best citizens of the State, was
referred to the Committee on Propositions
and Grievances.
That committee reported against any leg
islation of the character prayed for,-charg-
ed the memorialists with mistaken zeal
and fanaticism, and argued-1 argu-
naent 1t might be called, that the Legis
lature possessed no constitutional power to
interdict by pains and penalties the traffic
in ardent spirits"
That report has been so ably reviewed, SO
successfully answered, and so completely
annihilated by the keen logic, the cutting
satire, withering sarcasm and irresistible
arguments of the "Pickled Rod" letters,
(Which we have all read and admired) and
which Temperance men should see are
placed in the hands of every voter in North
Carolina, that [ really feel that should
mortuis nil nisi bonum," were I to COM
ment on it. Let it rest in its grave with
out hope Of resurrection.
The last session Of the National Division,
was held, as you are aware, at the city OF
Charleston, South Carolina, in the month
of June last This Grand Division was
represented by P. G. W. P. Weir's and
Deems and your G. W. P.
1t was most pleasant and harmonious
assemblage of kindred spirits from every
part of this vast continent, united heart
and soul in one great purpose.
For a knowledge of the acts of that body,
[ refer you to the journal of the session
which has been published and distributed
to Subordinate Divisions. There was one
subject acted upon at that session, to which
[ deem it my duty to call your attention.
l.
9th Articles of the Constitution of Subor-
dinate Divisions striking out the sections
: in those articles fixing the minimum of in
itiation fees, weekly dues and benefits, and
| leaving them to be regulated by the By
{ laws of Subordinate Divisions.
e While opposed in the main, to frequent
e changes in our organic law, as having a
: mischievous and disturbing effect upon the
: work of the order, yet believe this change
: was necessary and proper, as Divisions have
S frequently been embarrassed in their f.
r nances by this system. | had received
a resolutions from Divisions in this State
s asking for the change previous to the meet
Il ing Of the National Division.
V [ would therefore submit to your consi-
v deration the propriety of recommending to
: Subordinate Divisions, that the system Of
# benefits Except in cases requiring oul
a. charity be dispensed with altogether, anc
lg that the funds of the Division which woulc
" be otherwise bestowed upon benefits, b.
n appropriated towards the purchase Of Ii
f. brary of standard Temperance, and othe
s, useful books, for the use of its members
b. In this way permanent and lasting goo'
&. will be stored with useful temperate
I'd knowledge, and confirmed in the principle
bt Of the Order
n For full detail of the finances and sta
he tistics Of the Order during the past year
e. as well as of the finances Of the Grand Di
be vision, [ refer you to the Reports Of tn
ce Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer, whic
ne will be read to you by those officers.
We have thus, Brothers, brought to you
on notice, as fully as the limits of th
Report would allow, the business that wi
NO claim your attention during the preser
rs. session.
ed In entering upon the duties of the offic
an which your partiality conferred upon m
tee and which had been SO ably filed by n
es- worthy predecessors, l felt an oppressiN
rk sense of my own inability to meet yo'
de- reasonable expectations. But the hdeil
ent with which my deputies and the officers
the G.. d. have discharged their duties, h
7is- relieved me from much anxious care al
Dns secured for themselves my lasting regar
,ur May our Order continue to exercise
mn saving influence wherever intemperan
prevails. May it become the honored
,rs strument in suppressing the traffic in i
to toxicating liquors, and our banner so
Of wave in triumph over our good old Stat
lar redeemed from the thraldom and with,
- ing curse of this destroyer of millions.
ion DAN'LS. HILL, @. W. p.
ere ere The following Reports from the
to Scribe and G.. Treasurer were read
pc REPORT OF THE G.. SCRIBE
SEN To the G.. Division s. Of T., of N.
had G. w. PATRIARCH AND BRoTHEP
re- In meeting again in annual sessic
most while we have cause to deplore
quo, lethargy and supineness that to too gr,
oulu @ an extent peryades our ranks, we m
''Gn - at the same time congratulate oursel
mo - that our cause has not been entir,
overwhelmed by the demagogueism a
upon falsehoods of our enemies, or the trea
and cry of professed friends. By the /
a be- mer, misrepresentation and abuse
E, to been heaped upon us, prejudicing
she unwary, melting distrust and ala
g us among the ignorant, and arrayin
our large class of liberal minded citiz
against us, because of misundersta
YOU. YOU. ing our position. Politicians have
Good .n~l ped, interest and appetite have ra