Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-20
SPIRIT OF THE

Correspondent INVALID" We had often
wondered at his long silence. His private
note explains to us. The article alluded to
as having been previously sent, never reached
our hands. The following was written before
seeing our last issue, but the sentiments are
such as we can heartily endorse.-ED. AGE.
For the Spirit Of the. Age.
An Asylum for I~nebriates.
DEAR Mn EDIToR:-H | mistake not. YOU
have already announced that incipient meas
ures were being taken, preliminary to the
erection Of an Asylum for the reception off
ebriates under the auspices of the State of
New York. The corner stone Of this %institu-
ton was laid q short time since, G cannot
now recall the date) with appropriate cere-
monies, at Binghampton, a pleasant and beau
tiul Town in the Empire state and among
the multitude Of spectators and participants
upon that occasion were quite a number of
the most distinguished statesmen, scholars
and diyines Of the age such as Edward Ever
EFT, DIR. John w. Francis, ID. S. Dickinson,
DR.. Bellows and others not less eminent for
their efforts in the cause Of universal philan-
thropy.
Not Tecollecting TO have seen anything in
your columns editorially, indicating your po-
sition as to the probable success of this enter
prize and as a contrariety of conflicting SEN
timents is entertained by those who have
been engaged in canvassing its feasibility
from It's earliest conception, | would suggest
that a calm and dispassionate review of the
various arguments, which have been urged,
pro et con, might no. be devoid of entertain
ment to many Of your readers, whose atten-
ton has been arrested by the novelty Of the
project. If | may be permitted to express
my own humble opinion, ! would say that
when the enterprise was first suggested-af-
ter a cursory glance, | was disposed to doubt
its practicability yet after a more mature
subsequent investigation, my original decis-
ion has been entirely reversed, and instead of
denounciug it as the chimerical creation of
visionary fanatics, | hail it as eminently de-
serving the cooperation Of the most conser-
vatiye friend Of the reform. Not a doubt do
| entertain that it will measurably supply a
great public necessity, by afFording a hope
Of rescue to thousands who have no other
hope. There are multitudes in every walk
Of life, who having become slaves to a de-
PRAYED appetite, would gladly break their
chains and exu't in their redemption, if they
were not shorae Of every power for selfabne.
CATION and control. 1t is not necessary here
TO discuss the question whether the bondage
is so absolute, as to release them from mora
responsibility. | concede that it neither il
nor can be, so long as reason retains its EN-
pire over the mind, or till insanity reduces t
the level Of the brute. 1t is enough to know
that they will not often reform, if left to or
binary circumstances and influences and i
any situation can be provided aifording ever
a probability Of e~ffecting a release, all will adj
nit that the experiment should be attempte,
without delay.
| am one Of that number, who believe tina
n change Of circumstances, or the removal G
e%xtranuous incentives to temptation, can b
relied on TO eradicate that germ of evil, whic
is inherent in the human heart. That theory
founded as it is in error, has ever resulted
and must continue to result in abortion bu
am nevertheless fully convinced, that tn
projected institution, if judiciously conducte
is destined to prove most efficient in its ope
ration and beDefcient in its results. 1t, an
others, which in process Of time, will follo'
It's footsteps, | confidently believe will restor
multitudes oflost husbands, fathers, sons an
brothers, clothed and in their right mind, t
the embrace of dcspairing relatives and syn
pathizing friends.
have ever contended that there is a rad
tal GflOT, u liiluhlllGlllul lilS~COtCSpbiOh,
the agencies at present employed to effect I'll
reformation of the drunkard. Mankind, an
even the most earnest friends of the reform
have seemed to combine in treating this III
fortunate class Of our fellow beings as deser
ing only of dcnunciation and rebuke, thus o
funding every latent sentiment of self-respeC
which is ever the most powerful aid in Il
discipline and government Of the morals. |
stead Of prompting them to attempt their re
cue from the mcshes Of fascinating indr
gence, by the gentle incentives of sympatt
and encouragement; by obloquy and 7
proach they plunge them deeper and ST
deeper into the yawning vortex Of inEamy al
vice.
This defect, the contemplated institute,
proposes, and | conceive is eminently calcuI
ted, to correct and relieve by the employing
Of the only practicable agencies, sympatl
aud kindness, counsel and encouragement.
Where ccnsure and neglect has hither
proved unavailing, it proposes by that gen
and persuasive compulsion which only ind
ces permanent reform, to strive to redeC
them iroma Vassalage whose power only thC
who have borne its yoke know how to app
ciate. II seeks, by removing him from
influence OF vicious associations, and by G
ing him an asylum where he will be 3
against the solicitations Of evil com anic
and the temptings of unholy appetites, to c.
Arm him in his determination to abstain fir
the Intoxicating draught.
The enterprise has enlisted in a degr
hitherto unparalleled, the cooperation of
medical professional class Of men who
c~esSarily appreciate the peculiar needs of
inebriate more thoroughly than any other
This fact, Independent Of any other, is {
Eainly n most convincing argument in ia
of the asylum, and must go far in CONNIE
ing il to public regard. But the entire CT
saunity -. oec.rtuuatnly too familiar with
temperance, to require the commentator
endorsement f any class Of society to ind
them to avail themselves of any instrum
which promises 10 effect ite cure. Nv
true friend Of the poor sot will coRtemp
with deep interest the future history of
asylRm, aud should It realize the a~ntieipa
Of It's projectors, the time is not far dis
when similar institutions will rear their h'
and scatter their beneGeent fruits in eN
state-may ! not say, in every townand CT
ty throughout the limits Of this broad rel
licl lhNALl
CHINESE SUGAR CANE.-Seyerai farmer
Taylor county, Va, planted small patch'
this cane last spring, which they are
manufacturing into moiasses Of an exec.
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