Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-24
Vigorous d.ganization.

ellC ltl1c " II So
sion Of the Grand DiSsion, presents a favor ii
able opportunity for Expressing upon the S
temperance men Of tn State, the urgent ne b
eessity Iera more systematic and vigorous G
organization OF our forces, if we wish to re- d
cover the prominent + d useful position we o
once occupied. This can be done, if we will a
g actively to work, eAch Division, and each .
man, in their own hon, operations. !;
In the first place, thef, we must talk more :
with our friends and neghbors, face to face, {
on the subject-both privately and in public !
narangues. And We must lay before the
public, temperance pabers, tracts and books,
and, as the politicians Eay, by this means we
shall be able to canyassthe State thoroughly
Truth does not sufferlby an investigation
but error always doesl We must begin our
operations at home-each Of us-our sphere
OF action lies not ABROAD until we have first
made secure our own Kome Notifications 81
and then, when all is Afe there, we may ex-
tend our labors abroad
we can regain our lost vantage ground, if
we will nobly do our duty. But if we fold
our arms supinely upon our bosoms, as too
many of US have been doing for year or two
pas, and gaze with buaIa1le concern upon
the ravages intempe - is making around
us, utter overthrow will assuredly overtake
lis. There is work to be done-and we must
bring our whole souls and bodies-our purses
and mi falaota so4o Az oa1kocI w
have been contending for years for the ad-
vancement Of the noble principles of temper
ance, and once when our hopes seemed about
to be realiZed-when those principles seemed
about to rise in the ascendant-we were
driven from our high ground of defence-we
quailed before the enemy, and by desertior
and treachery our victory was ~annulled, oul
hopes defeated, and our success used to per
vert the very ends for which it was gained
The opponents of the temperance cause ar
ever fruitful in expedients by which to wor'
its overthrow, or nullify it's labors. Some
times they assail it with bitter and open d.
nunciation. When they do this, we kno'
how to meet them and we fear not the cor
sequences. In a fair fight and open field, W
E can meet and expose their fiendish vaporine
: to the contempt and scorn of all good citizen
1t is in these engagements we have game
the most signal victories over our enemies
/ But when they appear as our friendS-as s.
! tan once appeared in the character of an a
# gel Of light is then they have shorn |
k of our locks Of strength, and caused us
n pull down with our own hands the sublir
y temple we had so long been struggling
rear. These liquor drinking friends Of te
If perance, are those who have done US the mC
40 harm. They tell US we are iajuring t
to cause by making such a noise about It'll
" we are exciting prejudices and opposition
K agitating the subject-that we should op
Ut ate more quietly, and by the soft power
III moral %suasion, win the confidence and sy
pP pathy of the people in opS-AaXor. And4ala
W for temperance, we have listened to the
ren song Of the d~eceiver until all our poy
n0 and energy is well nigh crushed out of us
We must abandon this course! Sile
and acting simply on the defensive, is
part of the true tactics of the temperance
my. All the time the battle cry of "to ar
to arms!' should run along our ranks.
must not be content to strike only when
enemy assails us-but zoe must attack t
fortresses ; batter down the wicked eta
- Of their power, and rout them from t
strong holds. We can do this in no o
ny way than by an open, bold and defiant
fare. The clash of arms must be hear
over the State; and if we nobly do oar q
God will defend the right.
~ Il We verify believe the time has come v
ablo if we will enter upon a vigilant and ag
to sive warfare against the liquor curse, we
Il marshal our hosts to successful battle,
D it the sunshine of prosperity gleam bright
mot our banners.
In conclusion, then, we hope some
onld will be perfected at the approaching sessi
and the Grand Division, by which a new era
sinh dawn upon US, and the benefcent and
ould niest influences OF our Order De lelt all
,scri- our State.