Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-31
For the Spirit of the Age
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, J
March l6, 1858.


Mr.. GoRMAN:-Having recently paid |
visit to the Western Counties of the Blue
Ridge Circuit, it occurred to me that an
account Of the progress of Il he cause Of tenn
I4nra nee IN that snnti4>-- I ;>4-
mountains we have much more to contend
with than some of our more eastern breth-
rem; for having no means Of speedy trans
portation to market the farmer too often
finds it convenience and profit to turn
his surplus corn into Whiskey. Hence
with greater facility for procuring that ar
ticle, we have the greater use Of it, but,
with the exception Of one or two counties,
there is much less drunkenness than one
might infer from the cheapness Of the arti
Gle and the ease of procuring it.
In the county of Cherokee | was sorry
to learn that there was no Division. The
one at Murphy | could learn nothing of,
and at Valley Town [ was told their Di-
vision had gone down and "those who were
temperate before are temperate now, and
those who drank before, drink now"
In Macon the cause is fourishing, as one
might easily infer from the quiet sobriety
of the citizens of Franklin, and Of the coun-
ty generally. Another evidence of this is
seen in the fact that but eight cases were
for trial on the State docket at the term
of its late Superior Court. There are two
or more Divisions in the county. The one
at Franklin has large and increasing mem
bership several were initiated during my
attendance. was informed that the Di-
vision had never missed meeting since its
institution in 1849 this is certainly fact
to be proud of and but few Divisions can
say the same. There is but one grogshop
in the place; it is in retired part Of the
town and sells only by the quart Skeenah
) Division, four miles north of Franklin,
was told, is also in a very fourishing con
dition. | did not have the pleasure of visi
E ting it and of course cannot speak from
r personal observation.
t In Jackson County was told there i:
e no Division or any Sons Of Temperance
/ At Waynesville, HayWod1 county, tht
Division has gone down, but was inform
a ed that there is a fair prospect OF its being
reformed. 1t was my pleasure in thi
e county to attend a meeting of one of tn,
d most interesting Divisions that is within
o our bounds. 1t is located on Upper Pigeol
s River, and takes its name from thence
J. During my attendance, a lady visitor AM
) two young men were initiated, and tn
o ceremony was gone through in a solemn
II and impressive manner, without singl
A. mistake and this Division, as you know
has not been working more than two quarter
,r | have been in some thrice as many yeal
% old, which could not or did not perform &
n well. Good order and perfect harmon
prevailed throughout the whole session.
It In the initiation there was, to me, as | hs
id never before seen it done, new and vel
I'd interesting feature, namely-the investin
er of the candidate with the badge by one
to the lady visitors. have since noticed th
to be discretionary provision, allowed |
V the Ritual. There were considerab
nd number of lady visitors in attendance, an
ee | should have mentioned the same as ia
at Franklin. The Division numbers ov
ed 60 members and although it has met CO
is siderable opposition still continues to j
at crease. | may be accused of sickly sen
Or mentality, but it seems to me that a m
"a who could so lower himself as to disgra
ol- that badge, after such countenance FRONT t
he fairer portion of this neither world of on
du. is almost on a level with the brute
vas think there is solemnity about it VIII
ledI should make the concurring event doul
impressive, | commend this Young thl