Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-04-01
Letter from the II ". Scribe.

ine IoiioWlng letter from the Most Wur.
ty Scribe of the National Division. to the
Editor of this paper. though not intended for
publleation, contains SO much of wise reaec.
ton and wholesome suggestion. that we tate
the liberty of laying it before our readers.
with the hope It's teachings nav rot be lost
upon the member IF the Order in Nertl
Carolina. Let us resolve TO spend tf,is wear
70 energetic labor in building up the Sons Of.
temperance in the State. and TINS erect ia
most formidable barrier to the spread Of IN
temperance IN our m;dst-and the benisons
Of thousands will be our reward:
Mr. DEAR BROTHER GoRmAs.
Your esteemed favor was duly received
am happy to note the cheerful spirit in
which you write. hope most sincerely the
good omens will multiply with you. and that
the Order will again become epero;zed a.
monst you.
Poiltlco.temperance has been a failure not
only In North Carolina. but eyervwbere
where the absurdity has been attempted. I
mean that political Temperance which seeks
10 erect Itself INTO a party either primarily.
or IN alliance with another. Even in Maine
the friends OF Temperance have sold them
selves to defeat by their conjunction with
po,tics. A9d SO it ~ be with a. pntfn.
aaliy, whenever or wherever we SID 10 the
form OF party, either present ourselves 10 the
grasp OF the ambitious and unpriucipled. OF
throw ourselves foolishlv luto the snak like
coils OF any of the violent and rapacious
lsms or parties. Our whole hope as al Order
consists IN private individual cork, and I
continuous presentation of our principles
and organization to the public. In this way
we may regain our lost strength and infu
ence, and when our shorn locks are renewed
again become the Sampson of the Temper
ance cause.
That the political campaign through whicl
we have recently passed, has for a time ex
hausted, as it thoroughly engaged the excl
liability of our people, | have no doubt, an,
1t my views are correct, time will be requi
site to induce them to renew their grappl
with ideas. Still time will place them i
position to do so eagerly again-aRd urt
then our policy is to be both patient an
active. If we thus do Our duty all may b
well again. If as resolute and faithful me
we steadily continue to labor in the caus,
and make this our seed time, we need n,
fear, but spring time and the harvest wi
follow.
The cause we advocate is too good. grand
true-too important to individuals. to pril
T clpies. the community, and to the country an
! mankind at large, ever to fall through.
may, and will most probably, take long,
!. time to give it success, than our wishes a,
willing to recognize, or the short span
? human lie causes us to think desirable. b
Z us truth, and greatness, and the especi
. marks 1t hears OF the overruling Proyidep
: OF Almighty God, alike forbid the idea tn
1t shall not ultimately triumph. From tn
moral assurance of affairs we must gath
! courage to remain steadfast in the faitb-ar
10 works and deeds in its behalf. Let
scorE therefore while it is vet day with II
Q ana so discharge our duty t. ourselves al
g ana families, our country and God, as 10 lea,
: no reproach to ourselves during seeming d
1eat' or prevent us from e~xuIting in victor
ana saving we to0 We're soldiers IN the ia
We. You have done CALAMITY and we'll. AT
G may ne proud of your part under any ci
/, cumsfances- In Your double and importa,
CHARACTER as Grand Scribe and Editor of
temperance Paper you have supported trul
ana stricken down rror around Won MANN
ly. Your Spirit 81 the Age has always ~
a most spirited ana energetic friend and .,
vocate OF the ca,'se, and de erves a full an
cordial supper rem every Son Of Ternnp
ahce, and every Temperance man and wopa
: IN the country. It's presence in the fed b.
been northumberland It's loss would he q
! most irreparable. The press is a sword
night IN the hands of the cause, and | SINGER
~ hope your people will long invite YOU h
their liberal support to WELD the sword
!, the spirit for their own good and the good
i the common object we have in view. too
!: up my pen to write you a letter and beliey
a have written you only a prosy essay. E,
cuse my p~rolixity and believe me very truI
; your friend as ever in Love. Purity and F
deity, FRED. A. FICKARDT, Nj. w