Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-28
For the Spirit of the Ape

MK. EDITOR Having in previous num-
Ders endeavOred to show some of the faults
and DEFICIENCIES of our License Laws, and
having brought forward some reasons and
arguments oprove the necessity for amend
ment and reform IN this matter, come
now to offer plan by which this much
needed and desirable measure can be car
ried out.
And 1st, would remark, that Eegisla-
tive interference must be invoked all past
history and experience has sufficiently de-
monstrated that moral suasion and associa-
tive effort, however powerful or iudicious.
cannot overcome, or even successfully con-
troll the evils of Intemperance, while the
traffic IN ardent spirits is clearly legalized
by law and these efforts must always be
proportion as their power is crippled by
law. And again, this legislative interfer-
ence must be enlisted in such way as that
all party, scctarian or political influences
may be ignored. Let the petition which
asks for redress, stand upon its own merits
1T may-it ought to do so, for it has
right, reason and justice to sustain it, and
the social, civil and moral happiness of our
| citizens in view, to recommend it.
Petitions and memorials that have here
tofore come up before our Legislature on
this subject, have usually been signed by
everybody, and it involved very little re-
sponsibility to reject the prayer of Tom,
Dick and Harry, as they were classed.-
n.e, 4l~---e---,-~e ~ e. -
memorializing the Legislature on this sub
iect, will be to introduce such petition
from such a source as will challenge the
attention and command the respect of that
honorable body. Can we devise such a
,, scheme2 confess, Mr.. Editor, this is a
point Ihave reflected much about. Petitions
and memorials ON this subject have been
SO little respected or regarded heretofore,
!, that have felt not only delicacy, but a
great difficulty in maturing or suggesting
. any plan that would be likely to succeed
y or that would not be doomed to meet with
the usual fate. /, however, submit the fol
:, lowing plan as one which is probably suit
= ed to meet the exigencies Of our case abou
. as we'll as any other we could adopt. LIE
e a petition or memorial with the followin!
preamble, &C., be drawn mp and presentet
. to every Special Court, Common Schoo
~ Board and Grand Jury, in every county i
: the State, viz:
= "Whereas our present License Laws OF
!, crate injuriously and unequally upon
~ large portion of our citizens, and wherea
- they have failed to control or curtail I'll
.;r traffic and use of ardent spirits as bcvcl
yo age as they were expected and intended
he do, thereby indirectly increasing tt
wv very evils they were expected to restrain
no 10 and whereas, they operate indiscriminate
nj without any regard to the wishes or the j
70 terests Of majority of our people: v
therefore, your petitioners, would very !
,ad spectfully petition your honorable body
he so modify the authority and power of o
an present license laws, as that in their prac
ere cal operation they may have respect TO
lar wishes and the interests of majority
,m the people in any specified precinct, by
Gro taching a proviso thereto in manner a
mo form following:
orc Provided that no county or Super
md Court shall grant License to any person
and sell or retail ardent spirits us a bever;
on in any school district in the State, with
yeIl the consent Of majority of the resid
ins. cltlzens IN salo precinct. ocn
sn- Board. - Grand Jury. -S
uad cial Court.
- Now, MIR. Editor, let a copy of this
700 mortal be printed and sent to some pro
ax- nent member of Division of the S,
snlv where there is one, or to some known fri
j in of temperance in every county through
and the State. Let those who receive it,
iles their personal earnest attention to it,
soci- sent it with proper reasons, explanati
the or if necessary, apologies, to every Spt
the Court, Urand Jury ana Luuca'ional
to Common ocnoo. Doa!o 1il tneif lespe'
lie i counties, and when signed, to enclose
the send it up to Raleigh. Here let it rel