Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-26
SUumber 80.
Intemperanoe and Crime.

AoAlupto SNatiSiCs prove Jnub Dy lar tne
greater proportion Of criminals in the Uni
ted States are Incorporate in the use Of in
toxicating liquors, and that their education is
below the ordinary standard. These are
facts that cannot be controverted and they
prove that ignorance and intemperance go
together, and that the devotees Of rum form
the burden Of the tax for the support of pau
pers and the prosecution Of terminals. Every
criminal case tried in our courts renders the
truth more palpable, that if the sale Of in
toxicating beverages was prohibited by law,
and If that law was rigidly enforced, the
public would be relieved Of a heavy debt in
the shape Of taxes, and society would be
purged, in a great measure, of profigacy
and corruption.
These are facts and incontrovertible facts,
and it seems that just to view the subject IN
It's political relation, leaving out all moral
considerations, that society would be unani-
nous in its verdict against n system that en-
tails crime, suffering and taxation upon the
innocent rs well as the guilty. Alas! socie-
" is sadly blinded in this respect. Social
custom. party allegiance and thoughtlessness
all contribute to perpetuate this outrage
TO crowd our asylums and prisons-to blast
reputations-to beggar families, and to break
the sacred circle Of ten thousand homes
The example Of the reputable citizen, and
themiserable, world fearing spirit that dwarfs
the goodly influence Of many in the church,
both combine to countonance the vender in
his unrighteous vocation and to hurry on to
fearful doom the victim oftho bottle. Why
Is ii that our wise statesmen and religious
teachers do not declare n bold independence
and attack sin with the same fearlessness in
high rs we'll "a in low places? Docs it not
cyinco n cowordly spirit in them to suffer
themselves TO be borne along on the popular
tide Of error without making a single strug-
gle for the Right? Will the forum and the
sacrel desk ever combine its thunders against
this system Of iniquity, and. regardless of
consequences, boldly expose its cnormities
and atrocities before the public eye?
A fearful amount of responsibility rests
upon the Ministers Of the Gospel Of Christ.
They are looked upon by the masses as ora
Giles, and their standing afar of and preaching
against intempcrance and liquor trading as
sins only Of secondary grade, is calculated to
blind q thousand eyes as to their true and in
famous nature. 1t is within the power OF
the Ministers to effect n great work. We be,
lieve that If every Divine in the State were
10 cast off the world fearing spirit which pal
sizes their tongues on this question, and were
10 preach the truth rs they believe itin thei,
W hearts, presenting the cnormities of thu
crime without fear Of offence, we should, il
q very short time, have u very different stat
Of public opinion to what at present exists
The public is not wholly "given over to
hardness Of heart and reprobacy Of mind"-
the great public soul is not scared as with al
hot iron It is yet capable Of good impress
ions-it is open to conviction and only re
auiros the truth to be calmly and honestl.
presented, to secure its conversion and ad
hcrence to It's boneicent principles.
But while the greater portion of the clerg
simply allude to it as n sin without maxim
bold attack-spcakof it in a cowardly roun
about way,
"As mongrels bay the lion in a cage"
lest some wealthy, influential church membt
become offended and tighten his purse str'nt
against the support Of the Gospel, we sha
find n few advocates of reform struggling G
against adverse tides under pelting storms
abuse for years and ages to come.
Sinners and churchmen are not dispose
to avoid indulgcueies that the pulpit touch
lightly hence, the custom of tipping al
drunkard making will 90 on until preach
and people are summoned to a court who
decision will be final and beyond appeal.
These arc grave considerations and we won
venture to exhort ministers everywhere
count the cost and question themselves oft
as to whether they "declarc the whole cou
sell" or whether from cowardice or fear
producing distractions, they do not gid ov
some offences that the Bible and the Spi
moves them to rebuke. =