Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-05-23
Sons of Temperance.

This organization, says the Temperance
journal, bids fair to become a permanent in
s]titution in this country, and to exert, as it
has heretofore, n vast influence for good
IL came into existence, at first, as a benef
ciary institution, and while the novelty of
the new fraternity existed, it fourished,
spread out its branches, and cast its benign
influence over the whole country. But the
beneficiary principle, after n little while, it
was found would cramp its energies and les
son its influence in the good cause. This is
now abandoned, to a great extent, and the
principle Of selfshness is no longer appealed
to. The Order now stands upon its own
merits, as a temperance institution. AS
such we propose to consider it, and to appeal
to the temperance men Of this State to sus-
tain it.
Ii has been said intruth, and witho 1T join
ing hands with those enemies who cry out
80 hastily for moral suasion and condemn
1.-The law phase Of the movement,-that we
bould indoctrinate the young, and all the
Rple, in fine, in the principles and practice
Atal abstinence. We do not deny that
thing upon tho first and fundamental
Nies oftemperance, has been, to some
kglocted and while We would like
people who decry the law, and
I'M @t4haa-1 i Y ~ ~ ~4Hk laPa yfb4at
moral suas.on viii accomplish the reform,
doing something to show their faith we will
saw. tbqt in our judgment, neither instrument
tality will do the work alone. We must have
thehw, and we must have moral suasion
and moral sentiment to sustain it. We must
have the law, and we must have total absti.
renee men to enforce it.
How shall this moral and legal suasion
I force be raised up? Clearly through the
influence of temperance associations. We
must have temperance organizations. We
cannot get along without them. They are
necessary to conserve the temperance element
TO educate the young, to keep alive the mora
force that must execute the law. Organiza
ton being q necessity vital to the e~xistenc
Of temperance itself, as much so, as the churcI
is vital to the existence and promotion c
OuIlSllbulbJi W. nus 80
the re form.
This being an admitted truth, the questio
arises, what shall the organization be?
matters not so much as to the particular forr
Of the organization, provided it be adapte
TO secure the end. We don't want n grei
many different societies. Oneis amply suf
cieut lit combine the necessary elements
moral and executive force. If it be adapte
to secure the results, one organization is be
ter than twenty.
II seems to us that the Order Of the Sol
Of Temperance is well adapted to meet Il
exirencies Of the times. 1t is that reserve
moral corps which we need in any emergenc
Young men will find it an institution profit
BILE to them, intellectually and morally al
we'll suited to develop a high moral sen
ment with corresponding action. We subm
then TO our readers and to others who IN;
see this article, whether or no 1t be the
duty to Join this institution, if they are n
already members.
There are thousands Of young men W
should be invited TO join this Order. It "
prove To them a place of safety. 1t Will e
list them i'm n noble cause. 1t will tea
them in respect to the true mode OF doi
business i'm a parliamentary way, an 1t W
enlist their sympathies in behalf OF one
the most important reforms of the age. '
sav. Let the Order Of the Sons ofTemperan
be Sustnined by it's friends, and let them ma
d;ligent effort TO increase its numbers.