Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-17
An Earnest Anneal.

lNiEAFEKANCE Is unQueSCOnaDty among
the greatest, if not the greatest evil with t
which our country is at present cursed 1t (
is not only a positive evil in itself, but the
source Of nearly all of those which afflict and
disigure our social system. To arrest it and
its direful consequences, a few patriotic men,,
scattered all over the nation, have united
in various societies, for the pur-
pose of arousing public sentiment against it.
But instead of being encouraged by professed
friends, or their principles openly discussed
with manly frankness and candor by their
opponents, too many of the former turn their
backs coldly upon them; while by the latter,
resorted to as weapons with which to over
throw their designs. The passions of the
people are appealed to, instead of their judg-
ment, for the purpose of exciting prejudices
againt them and the public men of the coun-
try-our legislators and other men of infu-
ence-havc either joined in the demagogical
cry, or quietly allowed the liquor influence
to work to their advantage and advancement.
AS the natural consequence of this state of
things, we find, every where, throughout the
country, the public morals are sadly debased.
The conservative portion of community are
shocked at the corruption which every where
surrounds them, and men are looking anx-
; iously into each others faces and inquiring-
'Can nothing be done to arrest this state Of
things p
In answering the important inquiry, we
propose not to take so broad a view of the
matter, and enter so largely into its discus
!, sion as to extend these remarks beyond a rea-
t sonable length. We shall therefore confine
ourself to one idea, viz the arousing of the
people to actite, dcmonstretire erertions, for
: the suppression of intemperance.
To accomplish any great end, united, com
! hined effort is indispensable. 1t is absolute
! ~ essential thai all desiring its consummation
should join in carrying forward whatever en-
terprise is considered best for the fulfllment
Of the end. So it is, emphatically with the
great Temperance reform. We hare an or
ganization which in time past, was found to
be a great and powerful agency for arousing
and enlightening public sentiment concern
ing the evils of intemperance. When the
- people sympathised and united with this or
ganization, the tipping customs of society
= were placed under the ban-every where,
all over our State, the blessings oftotal absti-
: nence were proclaimed-peace and prosperity
: prevailed where discord and gaunt poverty
n has long held undisputed sway-and the mo.
Is. raj, social, educational and political interests
of community were advanced in a pre-emi
F. nent degree.
Thus happily matters progressed for sew
Ter eral years. Unfortunately, however, from
= some cause, unnecessary for our present pur
he pose to particularize here, the advancing pro
ge gress of temperance was Retarded violen
opposition, in certain quarters, sprang u
~ against the ''Sons of Temperance"-apath.
end eoldness spread themselves through thei
own ranks, and soon d~esertion followed; un
til intemperance again raised its hydra head
lie, and now threatens the overthrow of all tn
me dearest hopes and rights Of freemen.
our We have said, conservative men have b
sui 1900 :. ~ a &C .h;nc, uhio
COL1O did LlSO az GlC VI NE III
our country now presents, and are a~nxiousl
inquiring "Can nothing be done ?" After
ore careful survey of the entire subject we a
let unable to devise any better plan than that c
red fered in the organization of the "Sons of Ter
and perance." Despite all the revilings and bu
Sc lettings it has received, it still lives, al
though in a limited sphere compared with Il
the broad and salutary influence it once exerte
to it yet proves its ability to ''succor and
most save" the lost wandarer over the black mou
the tains of intemperance, and to the youth of t
rou- country furnishes an asylum of p~rotecti
us. from the scathing fires of drunkenness viii
S. every where surround them. And with t
tber same general influence in it's behalf it once
,iple celVed' the Sons can yet accomplish an /
mense amount of good towards a~rresting t
onld flood tide of dissipation which threatens
the sweep away the most cherished hopes of
onca world.
nuch VIII tnose VINO sincerely oeslre a stop /
than to the onward Of progress of intemperance
III, their midst, unite with the Sons in tn
n NV efforts to accomplish it? If so, we can SAT
"A promise them the realization of that desi
me- to a very great extent. If every christi
bova every father-aye, and mother and sist
ot+or too-will cast in their lots with this orga
,;.h cation, and labor with a hearty good W
;nco they will see such a change in their midst
40 will fill the heart with gladness, over resi-
1rred which they supposed scarcely possible to
effected.
o;ro Let US then, in conclusion, urge upon
persons who desire the suppression of int,
perance, to come and join US. Unite "
the Division in your town or neighborho,
and if it has gone down, go to work at o
n the and revive it and soon you will see the
films of society changed around you. Try it
On your own peace and welfare-for the SAX
800 the young who are constantly in danger
place. falling a prey to the destroyer-for the S
IF the of suffering women and children-in the N
nus of God and humanity, we pray you do s.
+ zoos thing for the promotion of religion, or
all is peace and sobriety among your fellow-n
to