Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-24
For the Spirit Of the AGE.
I" he that is not with me, is against me;
and he that gathereth not with me,
scattereth abroad"

scattereth abroad.
Mr.. EDIfoR It is well known to every
Bible reader, that the language that forms
the caption of this communication, was
uttered by one who spake as never man
spake," and was truth itself.
If the above language was applicable,
both to the Jews and Gerftiies, whilst our
Sayiour tabernacled upon EARTH In refer /
ence to the conduct both of those who |
embraced his doctrines and practiced them,
and those whose aims and purposes were, I
to Illustrate his designs of mercy and sal
vation to lost and ruined sinners of Adams
race, is it not equally applicable to those
of the present day, not only in reference
to their spiritual condition as sinners in
the sight of God, but also in reference to
all those means that are made use of to
promote the glory of God, and advance
the interests, both spiritual, moral and
physical of the sons and daughters of
Adam.
My design in writing this article, and of
selecting the above caption, is to show that
they are as applicable to the conduct
of men in reference to the cause of Tenn
perance, as they were in regard to the OBJ
ject of our Saviour in using them at the
time, and on the occasion that called them
forth.
My position is this-that on the subject
Of the great and glorious Temperance re-
form, there cannot be any neutral ground.
Every man and woman too, is in favor of,
or opposed to this reform-it matters not
what they may profess to be, if their works
do not correspond with their faith, it is
because their faith is dead and imperative.
If we are not doing something to promote
the cause, we are of necessity doing some
thing to encourage intemperance, either by
precept or by example. 1t matters not
whether we use spirituous liquors at all, or
whether we utter a single word against the
cause, if we are not found fighting valiant
ly under the banner of Temperance, we are
not only counted, (even by the enemies of
temperance enemies to the cause of Tenn
perance, but are, in reality, using our in
fuence against the cause. Every individ-
ual, however humble his position may be
in society, or however limited his knowl-
edge may be-exerts an influence either
for good or evil, whether he is con-
scious of it or not. If the Sons of Tenn
perance were to make an enumeration of
the friends of temperance in the State of
North Carolina, would they ever think Of
including those who have not come out
and enlisted under the banner of Temper
ance? Now we know of no other etfec-
tive or efficient organization for the pro-
motion Of Temperance, and of those who
do not enrol themselves under our banner
or under the banner of temperance in some
form-are we not justiiable in ranking
them amongthe enemies of the good cause
| How was it in the DAYS of our revolution
ary struggle against Great Britain? Were
there more than two parties, Whig and Tory
or the friends of American freedom anc
Independence and the friends of the Brit
ish Crown? Was there any neutral ground
/ answer emphatically none. Now if al
effort was made to secure the passage of
Prohibitory Law, who could we rely upoI
as favorable to the passage of such law
1t is true that you will find many mel
who say they would go for such law, bu
if they are sincere, why do they not com
forward and enrol themselves under gu
banner-thenwe would know our strength
and who to rely upon when casting GU
suffrages for men to represent us, to carr
out our principles and secure the passag
of such an enactment. 1t may be alege,
by some that although they are not Son
of Temperance, yet they are temperanc
men, but that they have objections to ou
) Order. Well, it may be SO in some in
stances, but if they are really in earnest i
this matter, why do they not get up som
other organization? If they cannot unit
!, with the Sons, let them prove their fait
by their works-and we will hail them q
friends, and although they are unwilling
call US brothers, we will call them brotl
ers, and pray for their prosperity and SUI
cess If they are not willing to fight Ill
der Gen. Winfield Scott, let them Fl fght III
der sene other General, we care not VIII
so IT BE NOT GENERAL ALCOHOL. 1t
n strange, yea passing strange, that there al
5- men-men of intelligence, men of mora
e sober, steady habits, who seem to deplo
2 the prevalence of intemperance as mue
: as the Sons doy and yet are net only m
r king no effort to suppress the vile, degr
e ding and ruinous practice OF drinking
intoxication, but seem to take great cred
!. to themselves for saying nothing again
$ the cause. Now l would most respectfr
d ly ask when any reform would be acco1
e plished by these say nothing and do not
d ing men! Why halt ye SO long betwe
S. two opinions, If you are really in fav
t. of suppressing intemperance, why do y
i not come out on ourside, and let the woI
S know, just where you stand! We are n
set Of knaves and black-guards or dem
= gogues. No, we are as honorable as V
ID tuous, and as patriotic as any set of m
K on the face of the earth. We aEe We
of safe men, we touch not. handle not. Il
le do we drink the~accursed, the abominal
p- thing that makes fools of so many mel
on You need not be afraid that we will c.
in rupt your morals-we have a. great ma
all Ministers of the Gospel. and a. great ma
p- Elders of the church, and many other go
hrs men in our crowd. You would be mu
ier more likely to get your morals, corrupt
among the friends of Alcohol, or the
he famed rum god, Bacchus." If you
I'd, not for US, you must of necessity be agai
arel us. Then, arouse yourselves from "
is apathy, come forward like men, think
ln-k sober, patriotic and philanthropic mel
SUI and help US to push forward this great
noble cause. Surely you viii not st;
upon trides any longer. The time c