Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-06
For the Spirit of the Ace

My DEAR AGE :-Itis with pleasurable emo
tons that l greet your coming weekly from
the land of my nativity, where my fathers
dwelt and where my youthful feet trod the
slippery paths of early life. For many rea-
sons are we glad: our mind goes back to the
"City of Oaks" and we live over again Tin
memory happy days spent with kind ones,
some of whom now sleep in the silence ofthe
grave and we think of the battles that used
to be fought by temperance men for the bles- |
sed cause in the good "City of Oaks" won
der are they there nooo We can answer for
one, the Ed. of the cage" is there, and we
can almost hear his thunder tones echoing
from mountain side, urging on the sons and
daughters ofTemperance to a consummation of
their glorious, heocen.faUored work. God
grant success to every means used to put
down the traffcing in anything that corrupts
the morals, blunts the sensibilities, taints fair
character, defames good, breaks wives hearts,
blasts fondest hopes, gives orphans cries to
the world, and finally browns souls in perdi-
ton.
0, wondrous evil this What can 1t be?
All oohat? What | ask, young man, If goa,
who seek the sparkling wine as it reddens in
the cup 0hdt is ii, / ask of you, young hus-
band, who has but recently vowed at the no.
ly altar of Hymen, to love, and protect, and
cherish one of the l~oveliest beings that graces
our fair earth, who, as she comes with 4 greet
ing smile, sees in you the unsteady step, the
flushed cheek and-ohl the - liquor
favored breath-how it chills her vital pow
ers see her frame as it trembles See the
pearly tear as it courses its way down that
lovely cheek, and then, oh young drinking
husband, feel that soft, gentle hand, and that
rosy cheek as they press you, and then tell
what causes her sorrow and anguish of soul
land put forth some effort to drive that eUil
far from your dwelling, that gou may be q
imam worthy to live in an enlightened age, anG
to reflect honor on your race.
These are things, that you, dear cage
are engaged in finding out and helping t.
remedy, and this is the great reason why WI
greet you so cordially, as you come up weel
latter week.
And just one word to the dear young la
dies of the 'Old North State" and of ever,
State of our beloved Union, aye of the World
You, young lady, it may be, have presente,
the wine cup to some young man, not know
ing the circumstances governing that youn
man and because of the love he had for you
he took the p~roffered cup and drank, and the
drank again, and again, and-oh! the paints
MOught-again, and finally fills a drunkard
gravsLNow don't say "you wnnldn't giy
a fg for a man who cannot take a drama
then quit" don't say this, for it is not I'll
part of wisdom SO to say. l appeal to yor
experience and observation. Then, if yo
have rendered the cup, resolve to do so r
more, but put forth all your influence to unC
the bad you may have done, and do all Il
good you possibly can. Reflect on the inf
) ence you arc exerting on those around 20
: Reflect on the accountability you are unde
= to give account for every influence you exc
: in life. May God help you, each and eve
one, who may chance to see their few wor
of exhortation from one who desires to
/, good in any way he possibly can. And no
: dear age" if you think that this little ep
tie will do any good through your cohuml
you may cause it to be put therein land
: not, you may burn this, nor shall our. we
voice from the South, be heard by youDag;
~ at least, not until it grows stronger
WILLIAM.
u Warsaw, Ala, Sept. 1, 1858.