Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-02
Devoted to Tenperance,L Liiterature
RALEIGH. NORTH CARoLI

country. By the demolition of prisons, we
could erect school houses, and it twould net |
be long before the children of our districts,
brought up amid the haunts Of vice, would
be changed into respectable men, fearing
God, and loving their nation. In few
generations then, all our prisons might be
swept away, all our courts of justice dis
pensed with, and our nation discover that
Intemperance was aclog togreat prosperity.
ALI this is isaccompliob 4 by Temperance;
this is one of the greatobjects of the Sons
of Temperance. But Temperance is not
only essential to nations prosperity and
character. When character has been free
from taint, when prosperity moves the ma
ton on towards the elimination of all good
objects, it acts as the propelling power to
other means of peace.
8. Temperance Is essential to national
happiness. lean say little about this point,
for it is the conjunction of both the others.
II reputation is good, and prosperity on the
increase, how then could nation be any
thing else than happyi
The abolition of ardent spirits renders
individuals happy, and thus nation. Go
view the difference between the home cursed
by Intemperance, and the one blessed by
the contrary. In the one picture to your
self, if you can, the distress of the mother
as she gazes upon her dying children, dy-
ing for want of that nourishment which
she cannot give; see that look of poverty
upon the face of the daughter, as with ST.
lent grief she watches the last breaths Of
fhn oolI1I Ioho - &la4
The filthy floor; the begrimmed windows
through which no ray Of light appears as
if to gladden., like hope, the hearts Of the
cast down; the ashes upon the hearth
stone whose warmth has long since stoler
off; the bare walls the empty tables, up
on which the last mouldering crust lies
see that vestige of Intemperance; there il
death at every turn; cold peeps in tht
broken lattice hunger stares them in tht
face; while death still hovers like CLIQUE
of terror over them, staying his final blow
in mockery at their sufferings.
Then contrast the comfortable cottage
over whose little door twines, in loving EN-
brace, the honeysuckle and the climbin,
rose. Where the great lindens shade tn
well-shaved lawn from the sultry rays c
the midday sun. See the smiling face {
j the lovely mother, and the shouting Of th
i delighted children, as the father arrive
! from his hard days labor amid the turmoil
of trade. And when instead of the even
i ing prayer to God for help, that arose j
| the hoyel of the wretched, the outpourine
\ of grateful heart 90 up. Contrast them
Which is the happiest, Temperance or II
temperance!
Can nation then be anything else tina
happy, prosperous and popular, if it ol
S serves the teachings of Temperance N
only are these great objects attained, bl
: others Of equal Importance to nation.-
Political integrity will cease to declin
: national wealth and honor will be increase
: civilization extended, inventions brought
It light, more active researches into unknov
b world of science be made, and, in fact, v
e shall ultimately attain that object for viii,
If we were placed here by God-the benef
IS ting of our fellows, the advancement
n their interests, and the promotion of the
happiness.
II In conclusion, when may we hope Il
III great end to be accomplished! The que
It ton is addressed to you, men who posse
sel power; it should be agitated until the re
d resentatives of the people take the clair
nj of Temperance into consideration. WI
el should we not make our nation more pro
sci porous, more happy7 When we can
4 this, why not do IT. ..
Al This will soon be done, nevertheless.
Truth is mighty, and will prevail. Let
is place our hopes in God, then will our span
'e led ensign soon float peaceably upon t
er waters of every cline, our reputation "
ut become proverbial, and those who end,
st vored to work this mighty change will st
ell into the grave satisfied with the efforts
al promote their nations glory.
OIL Wake Forest College, Oct. 1860.