Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-25
For the Spirit of the Age
Some Startling Truths!

go ? vttiss;sss d6lssllcphts not puI euee IN
= sAf9r5wlea with any degree q
! - has eyersha-s nay humble opinion,
y 60 Il. ss;is resulting from the. use of in-
toxicating liquors were too long neglected.
Fashion had taken too strong hold on
community, ere a single hand was raised
or a single voice was heard to arrest its
fearful progress for the friends of the.cause
to expect, in any short period, to accom-
plish that degree of reform which is so ar
IDENTIFY hoped for and thus it is that at
this early period, [ wish to speak warn
ing word to those who indulge leo0 secretly
in this vicious habit.
The young man when first he launches
his bark on the broad arena of the world,
takes his glass secretly, for long while
he is ashamed to let any one know that he
drinks, by and by, he becomes more bold,
until shame upon this subject is banished
and he cares not who sees him. There is
a wonderful potency In fashion. There are
mighty consequences and great lessons in
fashion. In it are things fearful, and in it
are also things hopeful. 1t was fashion
that circulated the social glass as signifi-
cant Of hostility and friendship.
1t has induced the diseased appetite and
dragged its bound victims to the shameful
sacrifice of the demon of Drunkenness
May we not be allowed then, to indulge in
the pleasing anticipation that this strong
power may be enlisted in conjunction with
more significant types and less dangerous
ceremonies to avert hose fearful and ap-
palling consequences Shall the beverage
which diseases and maddens and ruins, be
the only Offering or the most significant
and unmistakable offering around our
hearth stone, to indicate the favor with
which our household gods welcome oul
guest! Shall there not come day wher
universally cup of cold water-a libatior
of the beverage which 'God the Eterna
brews for all his children" shall be signi
ficant of a larger and nobler hospitality, O
higher and holier favor, of a truthful ant
honest friendship, of a more tender and
delicate regards We believe that ALREADY
the advent of such fashion is not far, very
far distant. 1t is no longer inhospitable t.
Withhold the social glass from your frien'
and guest. It is no longer ungenteel t
refuse the politely offered stimulant, an
no longer impossible to maintain hospitali
ty and friendship without potations of wine
. Already has the decanter began to disap
pear from the side-board, and the bottl
from the table, But 1 fear that while th
much is being done, by the friends of ten
perance, that more powerful curse is abot
to fall upon our happy land in its stead
Then do not let us, while battling with or
demon, allow another more fearful to owe
come US; but let US fight valiantly again
s. each at the same time And while the OF
has gained but little foothold, while fashio
is just beginning to recognize its devote
!, in small and social circles, while yet tt
pernicous vice is sindulged in secretly alon
: let US endeavor to portray (not in glowil
colors, but in the naked garb of truth)
baneful influences, and ere it gains tn
popularity which ardent spirits has, e
l deavor to arrest its fearful progress.
{! A short time since statistical report
g the amount of opium imported alone to t
d city Of New York, attracted my attentio
and had the statement not been officia
e made, could not have credited it, so enc
u nous was the quantity. It was truly alar
10 Is ing to her citizens, and the proper autho
., ties took steps to ascertain if such an i
III mense amount of the poisonous drug "
'e used by the medical world The result
rI this investigation proved that not quite c
OF third was used by the profession. I
% question very naturally arises, what is dc
nc with it and the answer is as natura
~ evident, that it is used as stimulant,
an stead of ardent spirits.
70 The quantity imported to other pc
at annually, is equally as great so far exec
ne ing the demand of the medical professi
ne that the truth forces itself upon US, that
y habit of using opium in some form is or,
ne ing alarmingly prevalent. The March nj
Al Der of Harper contains AN article, VIII
2. ne many of your readers doubtless read
u which the author asks, "What was it !''
gu This question can readily be answe
IN by saying that it was the peculiar state
rec the brain under the influence of this ma
~ tic poison, laboring under his own per
$50 ted imagination. In other words, it
:, en- detiriuna trenaens, caused by the exces
Ine smoking of opium, which he had beer
re- dulging in for short time previous-th
!, fects of which upon the system are so ne
1 oAAASo w oAooO NduoOQ 10y bUS excessive
lpy of alcoholic liquors. We would say
OSf those who indulge in the use of opium,
dcn who have not read the article referre
isn to obtain and read it, that they NAV
a,e how vividly the author portra, his C
a'h. ton, and which sooner or later will be
Sm: own, if they persist in the use of it. I
it is, as ne says, calculated to induce
lhe unimaginable spiritual bliss, which he v
over not surrender for throne and at the
uh- time he hopes his readers will never. I,
nm taste. His object in view being doul
'o1s to warn you fits devotees; of the alar
az consequence arising from the habitus
you are Obliged to be aImost s;n,;lar .u - ~ =.
: alcohol, we see from the chemical cor
y ents of each being so nearly allied.
formula for alcohol being (C4. H6. O,
Carbon four equivalents, hydrogen
for oxygen and water; and that of 0
lcarbon. nitrogen. hydrooen and q,