Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-09
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Notwithstanding the great advances that
have been made in the Temperance reform
within the last few notwithstanding
the partial removal of many barriers that
have stood hitherto in the way of its progress
and although a more congenial and healthy
tone of public opinion is nominaiiy and SEN
tiimentaUy engendered and expressed, yet, ex-
perimentally, practically, radically, there is
much yet to be performed before the pillars
of the monstrous edifice Of error and inlqulty
will be undermined and expelled from re-
spectacle society. Theoretically, all men,
from the wine-pimpled debaucfee OF the lux
urious palace, down to the wrctched vlslter oI
the low doggery, all admit that intemperance
is an evil-all unite in condemning the course
of the inebriate, and in heartily desiring 10
see the time when drunkenness will no more
be known in the land. But no sooneF have
they finished their deprecations and denun-
Citations, than they turn to The vile Rum-god
and pay homage at his shrine!
This is the spirit Of sympathy and abhor-
renee that we have to contend against. Is
there to be ii meeting at the festive b,ard?-
the health of guests and friends must be
pledged in the fiery draught which guilt pre-
pares for folly, and the scene of social hospl-
tally and greetings is changed TO that q
Bacchanalian shouts, and confusion and dis
graceful rowdyism reign supreme, t. the e1'
pulsion and disgust Of the orderly and dis
Greet portion Of tie company. In the ccn
viyial party-around the social circle, th'
rosy wine cup must be introduced, to give
zest to the entertainment, sharpen wit ans
give charms to the scene which the enter
tainers nor their guests are capable Of lnspI
ring! Hum;liating, disrespectful admission
The friends Of Temperance have too Ion
f~attered themselves that because in most ca
ses the decanters have been removed troi
the observation-disclosures the custom Of leaC
ing visitors up to the bottle has grown obsC
lete in a great measure-that because tn
dwellings of gentlemen are not now mad
bar-rooms of, as in days Of yore, when friend
and ~neighbors called to spend q social hou
that therefore, the drinking customs of r
fined, respectable society were fast dying ou
} and would soon be extinct. But, alas!
/ too many instances, the decanter has bee
: removed but to be succeeded by its more c
5 paci0us kinsman, the demyodn and /
Y though it is somewhat rare TO invite a visit
!. to join you in a glass, unless his propensiti
It =. are well known, yet many who profess gre
+ friendship and veneration for tie Tempe
e ance cause, when in the presence of Temp
ance men, do, we fear, long and ~oft-repeat
# devotions to their jugs and d~emijohns. A
Ladies, too. upon whose lips there is ever
word of "God speed the Temperance caus'
t. they, too, are often to he found present.
lie the enchanting cup and with smiles and BIZ
ly dishmsnts Turing the unfortunate victim
Id his rainl
e. These are the influences against which
ce have to fght-secret, disguised, sinister,
destructive i'll the extreme. If we could I
out these practices-cause these customs
be abandoned, then we might we'll exult o
he the destruction Of the great obstacle to sc
n ring the aid and cooperation of the exalt
of the refined and influential of the land, in
lot half of the great reform. Here, then, is re
It'll for the exercise of moral suasion, and /
he let US exercise it until the demon is dethl
vii ed from his position of excellence and res
NJ liability.