Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-12-15
Report of the Grand Scribe.

Report of the Grand Scribe.
To The G. ". P., Officers
ard Members of the &. d.
In obeuience TO the requirements of the
Grand Division, herewith submit the an
nual Report Of the Grand Scribe, contain
ing the Statistical and Financial condition
of our beloved Order in this jurisdiction.
Before proceeding to do this, however,
there are few reflections, touching the
condition of the Order, of which | have
become acquainted thro' the facilities af-
forded me as Grand Scribe, which | desire
to lay before this Grand body.
And regret that truth and candor COM
pei me to begin these remarks by saying
that,the Sons of Temperance in North Car
olina, as a body, are in effective in the pros
ccGtion Of the work they have undertaken
to perform, viz : the suppression of intem
perance and of drinking usages among our
people. But, the history of the past -
the recollection of the time when intem-
perance was almost unknown in many com
munities, and when we had driven the
drinking customs of society from the side
boards of hospitality to the cellars and back
rooms of low, dirty grogshops when the
jeweled hand Of beauty no longer profered
the ruby wine in the parlors of refinement;
when gilded saloons were tenantless be-
cause we had enlightened and christianized
the minds and hearts of the conservators
of the public peace and morals, so that they
refused to grant licenses to applicants for
the privilege Of dealing out the cup of
death to their felow-crtizens | say, the
recollection of the time when this whole
some state of moral elevation did exist, will
not allow US to dare say, that this inefici-
ency grows out of the fact, that the Sons
Of Temperance have undertaken a work
that it is incapable of performing. Nay,
verify. But the blame attaches to those
who have undertaken to do that which its
principles have proved it competent to per-
form, but have proved untajHtuI in the
performance Of their VOWS.
We, Brethren, have proved unfaithful
watchmen upon the ramparts ofour fortress
Wo have proved sleepy sentinels; and
while we slept, the enemy has battered
down the walls of defence we had reared,
and despoiled us Of our glory and our
strength. Humiliating as is the confession,
facts, stubborn facts, compel US to lay the
accusation to our consciences, and scarcely
one Of US can say am not guilty.
1t is idle to attempt to disguise the fact,
that intcmperance is largely on the increase
all over our beloved State. This is the cry
that meets us from every quarter from
the city full, to the county sparse. Our
old men, whose hoary locks are whitened
for the grave, arc smitten down by the cru
el monster, and consigned to graves over
which no star of hope and promise ever
shines. Our middle-aged men, who WELD
the sceptre of power in this great Nation,
are the daily suppliants at the shrine of
Bacchus and the youth Of the country
our Young men-O! the heart Of the
/ Patriot and Christian sickens, when we con-
template the widespread intemperance
among these who are to be looked to as
the stay of the Nation and the hope of the
Church.
What has wrought this great change in
the state Of society among us, within the
last two or three years In my humble
lJ"a5--~-+ -i4-is because our Order has
ceased to be an organized, disciplined army
of aggressive warriors.
If we ever accomplish our benevolen
purpose, we must 90 back to first princi
pes-to more thorough organization, anC
attack the enemy in his citadel OF power
with bold front and an unbanched cheek
And eOery man IN tie ranks must feel tha
upon the blow he shall strike, depends tht
victory or defeat of the whole army.
The G.. w. p. has dwelt considerable
upon the inefiiciency of our present Depu
ty system. | will not presume to add t,
what he has said, further than to corrobo
rate his recommendation for thorough re
modelling of this department Of our opera
tons. At present it is impotent and il
, many respects imperative for the purpose
designed. 1t is ardently to be hoped, tha
the Committee having this important mat
ter in charge, will devise some plan b
; which the Deputy system shall be mad
the strong arm Of our power,-as it wa
evidently designed to be.
: At the last annual session of this Gram
Division the rate OF dues from Subordinat
Divisions was changed from to 10 cent
per capita tax, per quarter. This wa
: found to be essentially important, as tn
former sum was inadequate to meet til
: current expenses Of the Grand Division
Every other CIR. Div. in the Union has lik
= us been compelled thus to advance tn
2 dues from Subordinate Divisions, for tn
! same reason that compelled us to take tn
,, step. Some few Divisions thought IL
q change was optional with Subordinate D
visions but when informed that it was
e positive law, compliance with which ev,
; ry Subordinate Division was bound bv i
allegiance to the constituted authorities
1, the Order, to observe, all but two or thr,
q Divisions acquiesced-bu these few pc
sistently refused, and thereby nullifed al
set at defiance the body which delegate
their powers as a Subordinate Division
1t romans for the Grand Division to tai
~ su,h cognizance of the matter as they m;
in their wisdom see fit. 1t is my duty
NJ report the facts as they exist.
One-fourth, or 25 per cent. of this
cents per capita tax, was to be appropri
ted to the Colportage fund which amou
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