Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-07-14
WAKE COUNTY

We learn that Mr.. Branch achieved proud tri-
umph in the discussion at Roesville Wake on
Wednesday. Mr.. Shepard had evidently prepared
himself for the occasion with much care, and he
spoke with more than his usual ability; butinstead
of gaining, he lost ground. The Democracy in that
quarter of that County were never more aroused
than they now, and they will poll their full
strength on the second of August.
Those gallant and able champions of the cause
G. II. Wilder and A. NJ. Lewis Esquires, are enter
ing the field and their blows must be felt by the
dark-lanterns. Maj. Wilder addressed the people at
Dunsville yesterday Friday, and will speak to-day
at Laws Store. On next Saturday, the 21st, he
will address the people Barney Jones' precinct.
We call attention to the notice for Mass Meet
ing in this City on the 31st. There will no doubt
be large attendance, and good speaking may be
expected, as distinguished champions of the cause
have been invited and will no doubt be here.
The dark-anterns making large calculations
as to Wake County-they even count on carrying
it by from one to two hundrd majority Brother
Democrats, do you bear that? Let organize, and
get out ecery cote. By proper efforts we can give
Mr.. Branch at least four hundred majority.
"a Rev. C. F. Deems, President National Club
of Independent Americans, makes G. an appeal to ali
patriotic Americans" through the Goldsborough
Telegraph and the Spirit of the Age he object of
the movement being practically Maine liqL- - law
in North Carolina. The "candor of the political
press" is appealed to, and political Editors
quested to publish this address of Mr.. Deems. Mr.
Deems says among other things, that "rum has the
control of the ballot-box-rum appoints our Legis-
latures and inaugurates Governors" Mr.. Deems
is mistaken. He also speaks of the lash of the po-
rtica ox-drver." This shows the estimate he places
fIoI nd ioE 90
do not concur with Mr.. Deems in his views and can
not publish his address-not that we would refuse
him hearing to which he might be fairly entitled
but if published it we should consider our du-
ty to discuss the points he has made and do not
feel disposed to do that just now We are in favor
oftemperance, and deprecate immoderate drinking
immoderate eating, immoderate dressing, and ''much
speaking" about exciting and impracticable isms.
We have no idea that the people of North Carolina
will instruct their Legislature to enact the Maine
law; do we believe that, if enacted, it would be
of any benefit to the cause Of temperance On the
contrary, believe it would inure that cause just
as it has done in of the Northern and Eastern
States. No free people can be forced by law to
frain from drinking, if they choose to drink the evil
be mitigated and arrested onlYkby faithful en-
forcement of the present laws the subject and by
appeals to the feelings and judgments of the people,
and especially of those who in danger of falling
into the condition of confirmed inebriates. Why,
look at the present state of public sentiment the
subject of prohibtory law. So strong was the
feeling against it among members of both parties in
the last Legislature, that it found impossible
even to make provision in the acts Incorporating
schools and academies, to guard those schools and
academies against the sale of ardent spirits in their
immediate vicinity. Let the existing laws relating
to the sale of ardent spirits be rigdy and faithful
ly enforced, before called upon to sanction
enactment prohibiting all sales of the article and
which would inevitably be generally disregarded
and set at naught. If the laws we have cannot be
not fully enforced, would more stringent ones
be respected and carried out?