Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-13

~ "A highly creditable philanthropic OK
pertinent (says the Philadelphia Inqnirer.3 is
about to be made in New York. Tie foun-
dations of an Asylum intended for the cure
and reformation of inebriates have Just been
laid at Binghampton. Among the distin-
guished men who participated in the ceremo-
MES, or gave to the movement the weight of
their names, were Edward Everett, Daniel s.
Dickinson, Benjamin F. Butler, Dr.. Bellows.
and DR.. Francis. 4 handsome fund has al
ready been raised for the completion Of the
building, and a large henefaction in money
is expected from the State. a law is con-
templated, appropr.ating to the support OF the
institution a portion of the money received
for licenses for the sale Of spurious liquors.
We shall watch the result of this underta-
king with the deepest interest. Many Of the
best physicians believe that intemperance Is
: a disease which is durable with the proper
means. An opportunity 10 test this theory
is now about to be afforded, and we sincerely
trust that it may result in success"
e But does it not look cruelty ridiculous. to
: talk Of licensing persons to Gre men his dis-
ease, for the purpose Of raising money to be-
il stow upon others for curing those who be-
n come afflicted f. What would be thought of
a corporation that would license men aflic-
ted with the loathSome and deadly disease of
small pox, to 90 about and scatter it through
re the community, for the purpose Of testing he
e remedialsskill e our physicians and solving
n the problem whether it be a curuble disease ?
- The monstronS and nhuman proposition
he would be secuted throughout the civilized
rs world as one only worthy Of tie darkest and
ed most barbarous ages. And yet, what else is
us this, and all the specious pretcnccs for Iicen-
TT sing the sale of the drunkard making poison,
in and at the same time providing against
or- evils that must necessarily follow from its
re- sale! If such legislation was extended to
sci any thing else in the land, il would be fow-
nd ned upon with such Indignation and scorn as
rk- would efface it from The statute book before
ich the ink was scarcely dry that recol ded it,
ch. There is no fact of which the people d
of these United States are more thoroughly sat
mt istied, than that the licensed, legallzed sal,
pc of Intoxicating drinks is the prime cause Of
rep the perpetuation Of the evils Of drunkenness
had in the land. And they are equally convinced
that if lis sale was prohibited, altogether, as
beverage, that it would be one of the great
est blessings that could be bestowed upol
we'll the human race. And yet, in spite of tines
last settled convictions, we prefer temporisin.
do with the curse, and continuing it, at the sa
,e,n- crifice of hundreds and thousands of soul
and annually, and the cost of millions of money
i. we Strange passing strange!
Is on With regard TO the establishment Of Asy
tilted lums for the reformation of inebriates, v
shall rejoice to know that they are success
Germ ful in the humane purpose they propose
eiec- But while they are reforming one, the Stat
t was will be inOculating a thousand with the dea
y in ly poison, for the Asylum to cure-and if tn,
in be relied upon as the means for mitigatiu
scov- the monstrous evils cntailed upon societ
IN to by this legalised disease disseminatcr,
shall need monster Asylums all over the lar
done Why not make each State one vast Asylu
d we by interdicting by law, the sale e the poiso
nable This, if faithfully carried out, will meet I
nued. case as far as it can be done, and nothing e
hon will.