Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-14


men, the welfare of the rising generation,
the peace, the protection, the happiness of
and the dearest Interests of society
are the themes which we come here to
mediate upon and to converse. The time
then which is allotted US for this laudable
purpose, am sure is not too much or too
long for the proper consideration of such
lofty, important and imposing topics. Our
time here will be more than proftably en-
ployed if to the best Of our ability we be-
stow that undivided and serious attention
to them, which they so Justly merit and
claim at the hands of every true Son of
Temperance.
Another thing which tends to consume
unptofsably our time, is tie pract &c which
brothers have of making long and repeat
ed speeches, and talking in many instances
of every thing else, but the subject proper
ly before the Division for its consideration.
know of nothing more calculated to par
our progress than this it leads to protrac-
ted and useless debate, while the more i'm
portant business Of the Division is being
neglected and unattended to; it is a
fruitful source of confusion and one calcu-
lated to produce as much of any thing
else as good to the Order Permit me to
suggest, that it is at all times much the
best, to conform ourselves as much so as we
can in our remarks, to the subject under
consideration or discussion, and speak as
much to the point as possible; much good
will be effected and much time saved if
+ ho L ha
understood as objecting to any thing like
pleasantly or bumor this like as much as
any one, and think all right and proper
in its proper place but at the same time,
it should not be carried too far-this course
too often DESTROYS the effect which under
other circumstances it might have. We
should treat with that respect which be-
comes us as Sons of Temperance, all mat
tiers introduced for the good of the Order,
and industriously avoid treating lightly
what we cannot successfully overcome by
argument. We can do this, and yet in
dulge in degree Of pleasantly in no wise
Objectionable, But my brothers, when we
contemplate the vast amount of misery we
are striving to alleviate and overcome
when we reflect upon the mighty torrent
of vice which is rushing like the tide
which madly leaps over the falls of Mag
ara through our land, and whose needless
course we as breastwork have laid our
selves down to arrest, if arrest it we can
When we view the mighty catalogue o
evils which this mighty current will bring
tdown upon as, unless stopped in its wile
career; then methinks we shall be dispos
ed to consider gravely all things connected
with our mission or the means We have o
accomplishing it. Those means alone
brothers, are all centered in the Order O
the Sons of Temperance, and beyond it W.
have no hope.
The practice of interruptirg brother
who has the floor, unless merely for expla
nation, and with his consent, should alst
be cautiously avoided This practice caus
es much conversational discussion which
is at all times unpleasant; never parlia
mentary and always ends in a failure t,
gain the object had in view. The w. 2
| assure you will to the best of his abilit,
strive to give the floor to the brother VIII
may be entitled to it, and will always tax
great pleasure in bestowing due attention
to any remarks which any brother ma
have to make upon any and all subject
that may from time to time be introduce
for the good of the Order, and which ma
claim the consideration of the Division
and feeling assured, has no hesitation i
saying, that the Division will treat wit
courtesy and respect the right of any broth
ers in this regard, by giving him an after
tive and respectful hearing. Should it b
come necessary at any time for me to d.
eide upon point of order, and that decis
sion should be inimical to the views Of an
brother, permit me to suggest that th
righto of appeal is guaranteed to you by tn
constitution and bylaws of your Order
and in the event Of which, assure 20
that no one will more willingly and chee
fully submit to, and acquiesce in the deci
ion of the Division, than | shall.
Our laws provide that all resolutions an
reports of committees shall be handed i
in writing. | most respectfully submit tt
observance of this law to your serious col
sideration. Il will take but little time fl
the secretary of committee to reduce j
proceedings to writing, or the proposer
a resolution to write it out. If this pra
tice were extended even to important M
tions, it would be a good and wholeson
one. System is matter of high impo
tance in all undertakings. This methc
of doing our business, will greatly faci
tate the labor of the R. S., it will preve
| much disorder in the record, and enat
: him to give you clear and unblott
: sheet, if on your part, you will furnish hi
! with the means, and means too convenier
| ly within your power. The confusion a.
| irregularity with which our business
e conducted, is one great and may say
: grand reason why our record presents su
: a scene of gloom and darkness, of blac
e ness indeed, caused by the repeated acts
|. interlineation and erasure. We ought I
d under the circumstances to be surprised
e any complaints we hear from our wort
+ R. S. upon the subject. 1t should be (
c pride to have fair and untarnished rect
e of our proceedings, noted not only
it neatness but for regularity of arrangemer
, The R. S. will take great pleasure in (
il charging his duties in this respect, if
IS business under each respective head
e the order of our proceedings, be perform
# with system and promptness. 1t will
= his pride to hand over to his successo
vs. set of books which will reflect credit W