Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-30
D0Igme7
Snail the Tomahawk be buried :

THAT is a brave soul indeed which stands
up ever against continual defeat. 1t is in
herent in individuals and in armies to des-
pair o fvictory when again and again repulsed
and driven back. 1t is natural for the often
defeated to despair. Ia the Temperance re-
form this is especially true. In that, it is a
crusade against sin. There is no promise of
reward in lands, cattle, gold or silver. The
only reward is the promise and realization Of
a Consciousness of having done right. The
most determined battles ever wagedhave been
for gold. If the boon to be granted the cru
saders against rum were earthly riches there
might possibly be more determined zeal
manifested. But as it is, it is painful to re-
cord the fact that the hosts become dlspiri-
ted and almost despair of ever seeing the
chains of the rum despot broken and his
strong prison doors thrown open.
From early life we have been a careful
observer of the progress, the conflicts and
labors of the Reform. With what ability
God has given us we have honestly endeav-
ored, with pen and tongue, to promote Its IN
terests and aid in its Snail t@pmph. We
have done this without hope of reward in
gold. Like thousands four colaborers, our
only aim was to make the people better and
: happier. When we retrospect the past and
5 see how little we have done, we are almost
ready to despair. We are almost ready to
r lay down the oar, throw off the harness, fold
our arms and cry out slay on, Rum devil,
Ip Stay on! till your blazing territory is crowd
OF ed with the p~opulous damned ~ 1t really
I'd seems we might as we'll lay down our weap-
IN ons of warfare; for the foe we fight is hedged
ne in by strong bulwarks that bid defiance
lie. The church winks at the iniquities of its
he members in respect to the traffic and use
nd genteel society tolerates it and the whole
of system is protected by the agis of an infa-
nd NOUS Statute so invuinerable that the moral
ost force Of whole communities is insufficient to
eg- break it down.
nd, With these opposing forces-the Church,
ties genteel society and legal statutes-what can
will be done? Some high toned churchmen may
ltal blame us for bringing this railing accusa-
ave ton" against the Church but we do say the
\ Church, aye! the Church, in many places,
does foster drunkenness. By retaining with
in its sacred pale, liquor making, liquor sell
q a ing and liquor drinking members, it builds
cap up high stumbling blocks over which score:
aled take the final, fatal leap. This may seen
US harsh, but let the church purge itsel.. An,
ylng then to brace up the internal system come
ng a the example of g%enteel society and the infu
age ence Of an Infamous statute. If it be treason
eye to speak against the laws of the Common
our wealth, count it treason in us, for we say n
a his low an modern toblots l. CO ;nforo,s os +be
by which the rum scourge is protected
Under the circumstances, what is the re
suit For more than a quarter of a centur
the press has heen scattering the truths
the Temperance Gospel and tie same ha
been proclaimed trumset-tcneued ali o7e
Ike to the land, and still tie smoke # the distiil
;" as ry darkens the heavens-the stencil If II
the grogshop is on the passing gale-drunkel
ness reels on the highway murdered bloc
more sends up an unacceptable incense from II
i've it ground-the wall of widows and orphan
to be rend the air with lamentations-and the d
ing a bris of a ruined humanity darkens every sho
Buss where human foot has trodden
for as Veterans of the Crusade, what shall
done? Shall our war cry cease? Shall v
throw down the harness and fly? Shall
f little leave an enslaved humanity to bite and gna
the letters of this remorseless tyrant hol
orlly /; lessly henceforth Shall we cease toiling
dom 5 the ponderous stone closing the mouth of
tiully grave where the hopes of thousands are b
N the RED? Shall the tomahawk lie buried ?
N OF a No! in Gods name, no let US not d.
pair yet. Let MS drive the enemy to
gates. Though We may never see the fiji
triumph, let us wave tie tomahawk of tr,
aloft, trusting to God to defend the Right.
re his Let us not seal cur lips, but proclaim
strings truths of the Temperance Gospel e~verywhe
g of a And though we may not be rewarded W
"1n gold and silver that perisheth, yet it may
IN gems of purer ray, that shineth brigh
w Our and brighter when canker hath gnawed VI
use. \ the fineness Of the gold and rust dimmed
bright lustre Of the ringing silver.