Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-06
Are the Principles of Temperance Men
Right?

or politically, is certainly one of Importance. t
Its Importance when considered with refer :
ence to mans present state of existence, is de- .
monstated by daily observation and expert !
ence, while its Importance with reference to
his future condition, is clearly revealed by
the great Author of his being. Our views,
therefore, upon a subject which so deeply
concerns us, cannot be a matter of indifer-
ence.
right, it is clearly the duty Of all men to en-
brace them. Ifthey be wrong, Temperance
men themselves should abandon them. The
question is-are they right. or are they
wrong?
Now, what are these principles? As Tea-
great moral, social, and political evil, origin
ating from the use Of Intoxicating liquors as
* beverage. This is the evil, and this is the
Aufce og~that evil. For this evil we propose
a plain, simple, and perfect remedy. 1t is
a total disuse of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage; our first, great and fundamental
principle, therefore is, total abstinence.
1t must be obvious that nothing could be
more simple, more immediate, or more eff
%cacious than this remedy. For %intemper-
ance must in the nature of things cease, with
a cessation of the use of Intoxicating liquors.
It is further obvious that if all could be per-
: suaded to abandon the use of Intoxicating
s liquors as a beverage, nothing more would
: be needed to cOnsummate the great work of
\ the Temperance Reform. But such is the
$ natural propensity in man to do evil, and
y such is the power of custom and habit over
him, that the history Of the world and our
daily observation has demonstrated, that all
men cannot thus be persuaded. In fact, it
is found that but comparatively a small pro-
portion of the whole number can thus be in
y fuenced, so long as the means of indulgence
are constantly at hand.
- And as it has been found that men cannot
be persuaded to quit drinking so long as the
temptation is before them, and as intemper-
ance not only destroys the life of the individ-
= ual, but is also the source of great evils to
- society, we hold to a second great principle,
- that it is the duty Of government to restrain
bLe USE u llGOAlCdIIHS lIquOtS, dnd ny
relieve society as far as possible from it's evil
consequences. To do this, we do not propose
II to punish the unfortunate victim of intem.
perance, but we propose to effect his ~restora-
ton, and to relieve him and society from thu
it'll onSequ0n'e' : ms y Hon
'ini ~ 'eniP'A'ron ~ w Piopo'o !"
operate not upon the drinker, but upon The
maker and vendor of the instrument of evil
had Now we would ask, sthere anythingwrong
n q anything unjust, anything irrational in thi
'us principle2In fact, does it involve any nev
hey principle in the Science 6f morals or govern
the ment? Is it not an acknowledged principl
heir both in ethics and in legislation, that is bet
ing ter to prevent an evil than to attempt to rem
ing edy its consequences? And has not all tn
cent Legislation of the past with regard to the trai
less fc in liquor, been based upon the power an
hey duty of government to restrain the sale, an
OF thereby diminish the use Of liquor? Upo
but what principle is it, that the laws of til
q to State have always confined the privilege
Dove selling liquor to a limited and defined elias
we of persons Obviously, with the view of d
the min;sb;no its sol and consequent ,so No,
DlHISHIuS lGS SAFE dllu consequent USE. NON
if the sale and use of liquor be an evil, al
therefore the law has said but certain M
shall sell it, would it be either irrational
ange the introduction of a new principle to sa
pro- that as it is an evil, therefore it shall not
if | sold at all? And yet how many are ev
ready to cry out for the Constitution of t
t, in country and the liberties of the dear poop
Us who are as ignorant Of the principles Of t
With one, as thew are Indifferent to the welfare
the other?
t by We will not here ston 70 discuss tho anr
rlteo cation of the principle of governmental int
lth Is position, nor 90 into the details of legislati
enactment. 1t is sufficient for our prese
nVe purpose, that we assert and vindicate t
re right and duty of such interference. I
Town; extent to which it can be constitutionally G
ried. is not now the question. We only ma
thout tain and insist that it should 60 to the
from extent of its constitutional power.
We have thus briefly attempted to exrli
the great principles, which, as Temperal
men, we hold. IF there be anything in tn
: ;, ~
c,r the State, or inconsistent With the lmmuta
-, principles of right and wrong if we can
49, convinced that they are irreconcilable W
n my ~ a,tnr ~ - CIV cd ~ - 90 fou
client 80 - bold onraoluos uooau -
u L and abandon them but until then, we 81
u oul continue to uphold and maintain them, un
'oon. all circumstances, and at every sacrifice.
O. in ~
Nj
ATLANTIC & N. c. RAILROAD CO.