Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-08
What shall be done ?

1t is impossible for the christian, the phil
anthropist or the patriot, to cast his eye over
this broad land of ours, and not feel in his
heart, the ~liveliest emotions of gratitude and
JOY arising, at the contemplation of the I'M
paralleled benefits which have been conferred
upon our race and country, by the direct a
gency of the Temperance reformation. Corr
pare the present state of our people with
their condition twenty years ago, and while
we admit with sorrow that the hydra Intern
yet the vast improvement effected by the eff
forts of Temperance men, stands out to
the eye of every man, in every State,
county and neighborhood of this vast Re
public, challenging his admiration, his won
der and thankfulness.
Let it be remembered, that the benefits of
this enterprise are not limited by the thou
sands Of our fellow men who have. been
wrested from the fangs of Intemperance, by
the Temperance reformation under the Di-
vine blessing. Much as has been accom-
plished in this way, it does not amount to a
1.-THE of the permanent blessings conferred
upon the present and future generations
Who can conceive of the condition of oul
country, but for the preventive and remedia
influences of this Reformation? What mus
have been the state of the public morals-th
social, political, economical and religion
state of the land, but for the timely an
heaven-directed efforts of Temperance men
No one can imagine, much less describe it.
But much as has been done, much yet RI
mains to be effected. Indeed, the present
a crisis in the history of this enterprise.
need not be blinked, that owing to variol
causes, there is fearful reaction, viii,
threatens to sweep away, if not timely r
paired and supported, the barriers whit
have been set up against this overspreadir
. evil. Either the sleepless vigilance of
enemies, or the recent inactivity or indife
ence of its friends, or the wellintention
! but ill-adrised measures of it's advocates,
all of them combined, have brought us to
' standpoint, upon which may turn its emit
t overthrow or from which if wisely directe
. we may rear our defences, anu send forth 0
\ deadliest arrows, to sabdue and conquer t
monster.
s What then we ask must be done? We W
T modestly attempt to give an answer to Il
: question, not doubling that the friends of t
cause will give to our views, the consider
ton which they merit. We ask no more.
Indeed we throw them out to be consider
IT and canvassed, hoping to contribute son
'e thing towards the bringing out and adopt
< of such plans only as shall prove the m
r effective and influential in promoting
u spread and growth Of a cause, to which we
y deyotedly attached, and to the furtheranct
= which our life, our means, and our efc
- are consecrated.
First then, our reliance for success is {
has been, an the strong arm Of Omnipote,
cir Without His blessing, nothing is wise
H. good or strong. The wealth, the wisd
at the energy of man, singly or combined,
ce effect nothing, if God give not His sancI
Is. and favor. But the cause of Temperate
nlg Gods cause; if so, we may expect His
I'm port therefore we will take courage ant
irG forward.
Our second reliance for success, is the
- hghtenneent and pwrJfeataon Of public 81
no ment. Our individual judgment has alv
he. chung to this position unwaveringly /;
while we have labored earnestly and ass
ously in favor of legal measures for the
lor preston of intemperance, we have yic
more to what we believed to be the judgu
ILL of wiser heads and the apparent successt
oul other States, than to any conviction of
own, that the course was safest and be:
At all events, we think the power of
enactment to promote temperance, in
dy; present state of society, has been fairly
l 10 ted, and found not only inefficient, bu
ex- fear, positively pernicious. Under a b
age state of society, the result would have
etc. different. Moral reforms by legal san
III" and enforcement, to be permanent and