Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-02

AC0iob NhO bChApbdelCh WACA hC cOOo tA0Ut
object which he SO ardently desires within
his reach. 1t is unnatural for a man to
act to the contrary. Now the law placest
ardent spirits within the reach of almostl
every man-in fact, Of every man who will |
trouble himself to 90 after it. 1t thus, con-
trary to the spirit Of the laws of a nation,
ruins its subjects, and brings desolation up
on their hearthstones. 1t is foreign to the
laws of a republican government, for item
slaves man to a remorseless tyrant, from
whose judgment there can be no appeal.
And thus not only running the character
Of nation at home, it places it in the low
est estimation of other nations. If a nation
which had never been at commercial rela-
tons with the rest of the world, was blessed
with the abolition of intoxicating liquors
from its midst, or who had never heard of
or seen the foaming crest, were to open
trade with us, what opinion, do you think,
it would form of our national character?-t
1t would be spread Throughout the length
and breadth of their country that they
were allied to nation which slew its |
subjects. 1t would be matter of surprise |
and astonishment, that an article was tol- |
Grated which blasted individual happiness,
ruined individual prospects, and having
thus ruined the individual, drew down ruin
upon the nation ITSELF
By the tolerance of this curse, then, our
character is scared, our reputation stained.
Temperance, as the opposite of that which
causes this fearful curse, keeps that charac-
ter and that reputation unstained and un-
exceptionable. If IfIntemperance is the cause
Of ruin and woe, Temperance produces op-
posite results. Where the fire upon the
family hearthstone has been quenched, the
sweet goddess of Temperance rekindles it,
and it burns with new yigor and warmth.
!, Where the demon of wine has scared the
affections and true impulses of the heart,
{ tho tender influence of Temperance breath
ing her inspiring breath upon it, renews
; and replants them. That Temperance is
+ essential to nations character, is, | be-
| lieve, admitted universally, but the laws of
r a nation countenancing Intemperance and
) frowning upon those who uphold the prin-
a ciples of Temperance, plainly bespeak this
to be false. The time is approaching
n and Heaven grant that it may be near
Q when nation shall feel that Temperance
is essential to her character, and shall act
according TO those feelings. This may not
: be done till the law haIlprohibit the man
ufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors,
, and abolish that law which licenses a man
to slay his neighbor, ruin his reputation,
\ and destroy the character and reputation
i of hitherto unstained nation. When
j. this shall happen our government will
a plainly see the mighty change and thank
d the God of Heaven that her character ha:
e so far been kept pure and untainted.
n 2. Temperance IS essential to national pros
perity. When a man loses his reputation
le his successes in business may be consider
- ed upon the decline. When he has forfei
ID ted trusts committed to his care, it is no
,e likely that his neighbors will trade will
ne him, or do anything for him to advance
ID his interests. So also with nation.
ye nation forfeits its reputation abroad, it
sc decline is approaching, and speedy ruil
ur may be predicted.
On Extending the simile advanced before
is if nation trading with US, and ignoran
,r- of the use Of ardent spirits, was to see tha
Of her trading with US would contaminat
nd her; why, most assuredly, her ports woul
be shut against Us, and commerce be at a
al end. Other nations, though being in tn
nj same situation as we are, would also clos
d. their ports, afraid lest our corrupt govern
d ment would also corrupt theirs. Thus com
ce merce, universally, would be at an end.
lal But it may be argued that the above
lal not supposeable case. Then can it
Sc, denied that nation devoid of characte
,e- and despoiled of reputation would be CT
We off from commercial relations with the res
os- Of the worlds This is supposeable cas'
is and il is natural. We must not blame
Ike nation for denying us the privileges {
nm commerce, if our character is rotten an
he worthless. If our word and credit cannc
ex- be taken, must we blame others for shu
NO ting US out from them? Common sens
us, teaches the contrary. Intemperance, thu
DID, by running our character, ruins our pro-
perity, by closing the gates of commerc
he the most fruitful source Of a nations wealt
ap- A monstrous portion of our revenue
nse consumed in supporting prison-houses, i
the sane asylums, and almshouses. Were
IRE not for lntemperaRce, nine out of every te
md of these institute ons might close their door
ces Intemperance produces temporal al
not permanent madness. This is point re
e, dered firm by acclamation. Nine-tentl
of OF our crimes are committed while Il
ycr- criminal is under the influence of liquor
ian, This also does not require proof No
ter, does it not follow, that if liquor, of arde
hus propensities was prohibited, that min
we'd tenths of crime which men are now gull
our Of, would be done away with. Then,
ink stead of keeping jail for every county,
rse, would be enough for a Jail for every TIVE
o. ty-hve or thirty counties, or for the wht
any State. The government revenue appli
nee then to the purposes Of sustaining prise
in would be thus retained and applied to t
ent. suppression Of that other friend of erin
W is ignorance, by the sustaining of public e
lent fees for the purposes of education. In t
nsis- manner the prosperity of nation wol
one be greatly increased.
ken. If we go to the insane asylums of {
con- country, We can trace the causes of mi
". It ness more to Intemperance than to all
.cter other causes added together. If this ca
then be stopped, instead of State asylul
lows we might have two or three national in
hose stutions, and here again great rever
re Of would be retained in the public treasu
S an A thrce-fold object would thus be
4 his complished. lntemperauce and I.nora
thor would be suppressed, and as matter