Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-13
JUNE IS.
Nearest way House"

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The names by which liquor dealers christeh
their establishments are sometimes sugges-
tive Of reflections, if the passer by be at all
disposed to moralize. While some low grog-
reries are held forth as the Washington
House." the Columbia" the " Jefferson"
&c.-high sounding titles ~dishonoring the IL
lustrious names they have chosen, others ale
content with more humble cognomens, such
as the " Blue House." the " Green House,
and the " Red House." all conveying good
moral lessons if they were only needed. The
" Half way House," the " Shades" and the
" Garry Al House" are good titles and con-
vey excellent moral lessons. We once pass
ed by one in n p%opulous city dignifed by the
title of the NEAREST WAY House." We
thought there was a pointed significance in
the name. Its lesson was easy to read
What the knight Of the toddy stick within its
walls intended it to convey, we were at a loss
TO determine, but our own cogitations ran
somewhat in this manner
l.. The grogshop is the nearest tDay' to
loss Of friends and self.respect. In no way
can a young man lose his worthy friends and
lower himself in his own estimotion so read
lily, as by crossing the Threshold Of the grog-
shop and standing, a eustomer9at it's insidu-
Gus bar, where the delusivc Beverage is ex.
changed for the half dime. It's very atmos.
phere is tainted with degradation. 1t is q
snare baited with a sweet yet poisonous hon
ey, and whose goeth therein comoth out with
less Of sclE-respect than when he entered fel
the first time. lie loses confidence in him
self and does not wonder that his friends de
sert him. And when self-respect is lost
there can be no estimate as to what depth,
of degradation the man will finally sink.
.. The groggery is the " nearest ,0ay' tt
u forfeiture of public esteem. Let it becom'
known that a young man is in the habit o
frequcnting these abodes Of sin and iniquity
that he steals in there when no one is watch
ing him, that he comes out with a guilt,
look trying to cast off the shame of his owl
personal degradation, and how suddenly h
sinks in public estimationl With all res
pectable people the mark, like that Of Cain
is placed upon him his character is black
ened and suspicioned and those to whom
he is bound by natures ties weep over tn
wreck This early promise.
3. The grogshop is the " nearest aoay' t
blunted sensibilities and to a forfeiture of al
that makes home happy and desirable. ]
tIo hugbapI nr fofhnr finds plaoSura in fh
rrogshOp, his home becomes less and less al
%tractive. The son, who fingers in the stenc
of the bar room, cuts himself loose from pa
rental control and scorns the solicitude an
love Of those who gave him being. VIII
has not seen how the fires Of the rum pit bur
up and consume the most sacred idols O
home and wither forever the beautiful flow
ers Of matrimonial endearment.
4. The groggery is the nearest aOdy" t
the grave. Out from the grogshop, a tide {
human beings are marching with every day
sunlight, and the bloated column reels on it
way with curses on their lips and the fire {
madness in the swollen eye. A host of idolf
trous pilgrims are beating down q highwa
to the grave along the " nearest ray"
5. Finally, it is the " nearest way" to pov
erty-the nearest way to shame-the neare'
way to beggary-the nearest way to infam,
the nearest way to the prison-the neare
way to the hangman's hill-the nearest wa
to dogradation-the nearest way to physic
mbecility-the nearest way to eternal NOR
ruin-the nearest way to-HELL! Aye, Il
rum bells above the turf are the vestibules
the chambers Of night below and the nea
est way lies through the gaudy traps so ski
fully baited with promised sweets. YOU
man, beware Of going the " NEAREST WAY
for death and hell stand at the end OF tn
" Wayn n