Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-30
For the Spirit of the Age,
TEMPERANCE.

AAC SlCd1Cob uuty vi ooCIcIJ Is 10 pro-
tect itself from evil, let it come from what
ever source it may; whether perpetuated
by the ambitious, for the sake; or indul-
ged in by the avarcious for the sake of
gain. Aud every member of society is
more or less involved in this great duty
There is no gentleman or lady that can
consistently exempt him or herself from
the protection of the common good. This
is not only so with respect to few evils,
but it is SO with regard to every national
evil. The oppressive hand Of tyranny
held over us by proud England, was regar-
ded as a great evil and the combined
energy and untiring zeal of our patriotic
ancestors were instantly displayed in its
removal, and with arguments of bloody /
steel, plead the cause of millions then un-
born.
And can we, the sons and grandsons of
the veterans of '76, suffer ourselves to be
insulted with any other title than that of
freenaeaa 2 Can we esteem ourselves as
such, while tntempero,sec, like some .yrant
king, ruling with despotic power, rides in
his car of triumph through the length and
breadth of the land, with myriads of sub
jects chained to his wheels, with penury
and wantin the trail, his devastating march!
Proud Americans! whose magnanimity
and bravery outstrip the once proud
Athens, and equal imperial Rome in the
brightest day of her glory, will you suffer
the laurels of your fathers to be tarnished,
and see your country, like those once proud
republics, after having conquered every for
eign foe, raise the foodgates of diss ipation
within your own country, and suffer the
proud standard of American freedom to trail
in the dust? | appeal to you. In vain
| do we boast of our ancestral honors-
the heroic deeds of the veterans of the
Rev ,lution-the thunderings of Washing
tons heavy train of artillery at Yorktown,
and the immortal honors won by the he
roes of the 8th of January in vain do We
boast of high-wrought victories over for
eign foes, if we suffer licentious habits to
bring US into bondage especially the bac-
chanalian indulgences of the wine cup.
But alas these indulgences seems to
defy all the laws of civilization. Great and
good men have labored ministers of eve
ry denomination, with the combined pow
ers OF the press, seem to check them bnt a
very little. And it is very probable that
1t will ever continue to be so, until men
every where become interested in arrestine
this national curse, and like the Macedo
nian phalanx, tch forward fearlessly anC
undivided against the common foe
And believe it to be the duty of every
highminded citizen to vote for no man fol
any Office, unless he conscienciously be
lieves. he will do all in his power to re
move from our midst every thing tha
would prove destructive to our peace ant
happiness. If such resolutions were adop
ted and carried cut by the people, would
be safe In affirming that in four years tim
3 our country would undergo sn entir
= change.
The advantages arising from temper
ate life, should stimulate every mind t
t constant action. 1t gives life and vigor t
y industry, relieves the mind of stupidity an
81 gives it an astonishing accuracy in com
r mon Judgment But in becoming temper
ate, there is great deal more implied tha
: simply abstaining from the use of intoxics
;, ting liquors. We should become habitua
3 ly temperate IN all things The man who's
IS heart has been changed from Its corruI
If state, and practices these things, has n
It need to fear. 1t does not matter what ma
be his condition in life, how or where h
st may be located he may plow the drear
vi snow-clad wilds of the frigid zone, or e
c, Joy the fruits and ease of the tropics;
wi may loll in forest shades, or swelter in Il
es heats of the city full still he viii enjc
Of health and good conscience.
as But where can the individual be four
1g whose heart has not been panied to see Il
a sons of freedom, swept down like hea'
lie cared corn before the devouring hail stor
cir as it sweeps onward over 6eld and fore
ge and the fond hope of parents and below
tyI ones forever blightedi And it is not on
re- SO with regard to this happy country,
nd it is the case in every part of the civilz
lc- earth, and has been so from ages INNER
m. rial. The once proud fabric of Rom
empire, as well as the great commerce
ust cities and emporiums of oriental Euro
and Africa, were destroyed through