Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-07
For the Spirit of the Age.
Am I my Brothers Keeper"
BY AN INVALID.


quiry of the antedilayian fratricide been re-
iterated again, blythe infatuated and harden
ed yotaries of guilt and crime. Nor has the
long lapse of intervening centuries impaired
Its efficacy as a .subterfuge to elude the ar
gus-eye Of justice and to avert the impending
arm of vengeance from head of the trembling
culprit. Each age, and every nation and
cline has been cursed by these wretched and
guiit-stained Gains, vino with hands ensan-
guined in their brothers blood, while trem-
bling beneath the frewns Of the just and good
and writhing under the keen decorations of
accusing conscience, have sought to ~extenhate
the enormity of their guilt, and to appease
the anguish Of their souls, by this fallacious
pretext. Among the apologists of sin there
has been foInd no ADLER or more efficient ad-
vocate than this-and virtue has known no
more insidious and willy, yet, dangerous foe
than the subtle and delusive evasion Of the
trembling homicide. There are but few a
mong US, but who, in opr. associations with
our fellow-men, have often sought to excuse
ourself for the wilful delinquency of duty or
to stiae the chidings of conscience for the
performance of some, unjust or ungenerous
deed, by repudiating theI doctrine of mutual
responsibility or of amenability for the indu-
ence of example upon our brothers. conduct.
How often have we, while like Cain. we
quailed before the searching gaze of justice,
like him exclaimed: "Am / my brothers
keeper"
My deadliest foe lay slumbering upon the
verge of a towering cliff that overhung a
~frightful precipice.- A yawning chasm frown-
ed beneath. A thousand rugged rocks stood
ready to crush the hapless victim that chanc-
ed to fall thereon. An inplacable enmity
| had for years estranged us. / had long pan
|, ted for revenge. With one blow of my foot
l could now wreak the vengeance that was in
my grasp. But, humanity plead for mercy
For q moment | was tempted to snatch hin
from the impending danger and drag him t.
a place of safety. While / hesitated he star
ted in himself, the ground crumbled beneath
him and down, down he plunged. His man
gled corpse lay torn in a shss,sand pieces
Ny head grew dizzy at the sight and | turn
ed away and sickened. Conscience whisper
ed "his blood will | require at your hand.
But the spirit of Cain within me responded
Never! What have you done? IT'S tru
you neglected to save his life, yet you ar
g%uiltless of his death. God is too just to re
quire you to be your brothers keeper"
Among my early associates, there was on
whose genius was as BRILLIANT and as eccer
trio as the dazzling meteor. He was tn
idol of his friends. His thirst for glor
knew no safety. He toiled alone for FAM
and fortune lavished her choicest smiles VI
! on him. lie was generous to q fault, and
impulsive as he was ambitious. sBeguiled /
the social custom of society, in, an evil hot
! he acquired a fondness for the tempting wiz
cup. Thread by thread did the willy tenn
ter weave his fatal web around him.
Again aud again.did he dashit of, as dol
the lion the hunters net, buGs0nly to be e.
shared again. Isaw bis fearful, danger, ar
IL felt that my influence could save, him. b
rather added fuel to the flame. | bowt
e down with him at the shrine of the cru
rum-god and pledged him in the sparklir
bowl. His struggles became weaker al
; weaker till his sun went down at the We
a zenith of it's splendor. In the rawlings
d delirium he chided me for not having saw
him and denounced me as his murderer.
n 'Tis true that my influence might have ave
ted the fearful doom, but still he was 4
Re obliged to be governed by my example
p Though / never. warned him OF the pois
le that lurked in the damning cup, yet -ney
pressed it to his lips. Thank God that | "
not ordained to be my brothers keeper"
n l was the father of an only son. He W
as the apple of my eye, the sun OF my horizt
/ toiled for him by day, and for him l pi;
u, ned by night. I determined that i wou
ay place before him the examples of a. fair a
M stainless life. would impress upon HIM
nd beauty of virtue and holiness. ! would tea
him how to stir between the Scylla a
n Charybdis of inebriation on one hand and
err DISTINGUISHES on the other. | would TT
him up a true Son of Temperance. A
DE placed the goblet sparkling with .rnby W
ut to his lips, I told him of the HORRORS OF
oh temperance. / bid him follow my exam
~ and he would be safe. But alas this !
the very. rock upon which-he nspfit. J
IA transition from the moderate drinker to
prostituted set was swift and fearful
m while ] mourned with bitterness DER his
ON " bier, / was comforted with the refectl
that had done q parents duty. IT'S t
in that by my example / might have indu
I'D, him to have sought a safe. path and to.h
Stunned the periious coastupon which he
out wrecked. IT'S true that it was IN follow
he'd my example that he laid the foundatio
,al- that fatal habit which proved his ruin.
eri- cannot be held responsible for his val
stability and moral frmness, nor rende
us account for sins that I never committed.
YER lam engaged in the traffic in ardent
uld its as the means of providing for myself
hat household. Legislatures have thrown arc
IF a it the protecting egis of laws, and pu
opinion has pronounced it q just and hon
led BILE vocation. In the intervals of labor,
this science sometimes forces me to review
as work of my hands and thecondition of +
ink who have been my customers. The eire
men spect is by ne means pleasing. The rich
eed, prosperous have been reduced to perjury
ms want. The :virtuoua and amiake are