Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-19
What ought we to do @

Ihls lnterrogatory Is frequently propoun-
ded to US, as to the course of action the G
friends of Temperance ought to pursue this t
summer relative to giving complexion to the I,
next Legislature. The question is much
easier asked than answered, in these days of
supineness and lethargy among the Temper
ance men in North Carolina. If we were all
up and active-if we were all determined to
be actuated solely and entirely by temper
ance sentiment and principle-if we would
do on the day of trial what we feel and know
we ought to do beforehand--it would re-
quire neither sage or prophet, to decide upon
what should be done, or predict its results.
But such is not the state of the case with us
now. We all see, and feel, and know this to
propose saying a few words as to what te
think, we ought to do:
LIST. We should direct our efforts to re.
viving an interest in the work of Reform
two ago, a general spirit of inquiry was
ahroad-the people were looking into the
evils and burdens entailed upon society and
the State, by the use of Intoxicating drinks,
and Temperance men were knowing heaven
and earth," so to express it, to enlighten the
public mind upon the enormities of the evils
arising from the liquor traffic. And the peo-
pie were arousing-the fires of v~irtuous and
patriotic indignation were being kindled from
one end of the State to the other-hosts were
~marshaling to come to our rescue-but just
when our most active exertions should have
been brought to bear, our ranks began tc
waver-doubt and dependency seized hold
upon maryland because we could not &C
complish everything at one blow, despat
settled down upon US like a pail, and in man.
cases temperance men surrendered the shil
and went over to the enemy.
I'd. We must return again to these time
of hope, of energy and industrious activity
To attempt to do anything else before dom
this, is to court inevitable defeat. h PEI
pie must be harangued-the bloody spectre
of rum murdered victims must be held up
popular gaze, and the guilty system tn;
perpetuates these deeds, be exposed to pop
lar execration.
: Sd. This must be accomplished by meal
best calculated to produce the most lGsti'
: effects. Temperance reading, Jas well
temperance speaking) must be scatter
broadcast throughout the State. And
must be temperance reading of an argume
tative, reasonable character that will elicit
vestigation, rather than of that wild, denu
ciatory kind calculated to prejudice and
: fame the mind-it should be reading suit
: to North Carolina readers-therefore o
: own State papers, periodicals and pamphl'
&c should be the ones disseminated
u 4th. We must avoid the rock upon viii
u we have split, in similar efforts heretofo
i viz: the oficious interference of our temp
: ance principles with party politics. lie
y perance men, as well as others, have tn
e. party ties and affiliations, and experience |
ne proved, with US at least, that they will
= abjure these for temperance, at the ball
III box. We shall not stop to argue whetl
CT this is right or wrong-it is SO, beyond c
y troversy. What ought they then to do
~ The platform adopted by the last Grand
vision, provides a means by which this n
be harmonized, viz: the submission of
- question to the people themselves, by a
rect vote. Let Temperance men see t
that candidates are brought out, on their
spective party tickets, who will agree to
in the Legislature for this reference Of
whole matter to the sovereign people, {
ed certainly no one can object to this) and t
for we shall have removed the great obstacl
free and independent action on this quest
9Th. Revive your Temperance Organ;
les tions. We must have a common rendezv,
'ur a rallying place-where we can meet to
too que, discuss and mature our operation
ext defence. Without them, all effort will pl
ore futile and inefficient. This is obvious to
We and it is useless for us to elaborate upol
We will not extend eur remarks furt
at this time. We shall have to recur
amplify again and again. In the IN
EST time, let all ponder well upon these sug
red tions, and resolve upon the course bes
ex- pursue in this important work.
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