Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-21
Increase of Bloodshed.

dhu shocking cases OF blOOdshed and MUIR
oer' perpetrated in every portion of our
country, and by men and women occupying
every position in society, from the highest to
the lowest. We know that such crimes have
marked the annals of Newspaperdom for
very many years, but we submit it to the
observing reader, if they have not greatly
increased In number and a~trocity, for the last
year or two, over those of the eight or ten
years previous. A few years since, the re.
cital of a diabolical murder sent a THRILL of
horror from one extremity of the country
to the other, and was the subject matter for
comment and Reproduction throughout the
land. Nom, every day discloses murders,
PARTICLES, fratricides infanticides, and every
other species of bloodshed, in every possible
~tortuous and barbarous manner that demo-
MAC ingenuity can invent-and yet they
cause only a passing Geographic notice in
the papers, a mere remark by the reader
and they are forgotten as a thing of common
occurrence.
1t becomes o serious matter of inquiry
Whence this increase of crime and barba-
rous butchery Doubtless many substan-
tlal causes can be assigned other than the
one we shall adduce ; but we submit it to
the discrimination of every observing man,
if much of this increase in bloodshed is not
to be attributed to the withdrawal of the
restraints exerted upon the passions and ap-
petites Of men, by the existence of Temper
ance organizations in almost every communi-
ty! We ask every reason to ponder this
proposition, and see if his own observation
will not sustain its affirmation.
For some six or eight years previous to
the last year or two, in almost every town,
village and neighborhood throughout our
widespread country, there existed flourish
ing societies, composed of men who were
actively engaged in operating upon the NOR
:. al sense of all with whom they came III con-
tact, as to the degrading and brutalizing in
huence OF intoxicating drinks upon the hui
:, man heart. Thousands were caused to aban-
don their use altogether others kept their
2 appetites in allegiance under this influence !;
and even iquor-dealers themselves were
forced into a carefulness and caution hither-
to unknown TO men engaged in that business.
In such communities it was rarely ever
I heard of any of these monstrous atrocities
which are now so common among US and
when they did occur, they were generally
perpetrated by men who were already SO de-
" graded as to be incapable of being operated
= on by any restraints by which they were sur
rounded. Thrift, prosperity, peace and hap
t. piness prevailed, with only here and there
O. an event transporting to disturb the peryading
quiet.
But for a year or two past these societies,
In most places, have either been withdrawn,
or have grown so cold and inactive that they
. have failed K. exercise the benign influence
'h they have hitherto exerted-and the conse.
quence is, that strife, bioodshed, poverty
to and all the evils that follow in the train O
Mt inebriation, are again visited upon society
i'd Religion languishes, morality has declined
. society is less elevated and refined, and
. general declension, morally and socially, il
observable on every thing.
We put the question, then-Has not tn
country in every aspect in which it may b.
II viewed, been very greatly the sufferer by tn,
ur declension of the Temperance organization
t. of the times? 1t cannot be denied tina
the former state of things did exist, and tina
the present change from it is greatly to b
D deplored. 1t is no hypothesis-but painful
ly attested fact. Then it must be concede,
~ that the peace and well-being of society-o
" our common country-has greatly suffered b
the withdrawal of the wholesome restraint
exerted by the Temperance enterprise.
In this view Of the matter, then, we com
to appeal to every patriot, philanthropist an
christian, to know if they are content tina
so conservative and saving an element in hu
man society shall be permitted to die out
ler for want of good men to sustain and pepper
xt. uate it? We appeal to fathers in behalf Q
their children-yea, to man in behalf of hi
on fellow-man and in view of his responsible
or ties to Goodwill you not take hold Of thi
al. matter and build up this cause in your con
manity. Let no man lightly dismiss thi
subject from his mind, or the thousand blood
!, tragedies daily pertrated throughout til
~ country. His veins have no lease upon b
VI blood for that blood, or the crimson tide
So. a father, son, brother or dear friend, ma
ore dye the soil beneath his feet, in a momel
when they think themselves at peace with a
the world. There is no peace-no safety
in a community where men make NADINE
and outlaws of themselves by an indulgen,
in the murderous cup of inebriation. Pol
~ der well on these reflections.
this ..~-