Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-16


a good school six months in the year in
each School district, whilst the poorer
counties get scarce enough to keep one six
weeks in the year; which only serves to
bother and hinder subscription schools-a
few hard cases in every district stubbornly
refusing to patronize any but free schools.
| doubt whether there be county west
Of the Blue Ridge, that can average with
the public money more than six weeks in
each year, at 500 per month to the teach
er. What disinterested liberality on the
part of the wealthy nabobs of the State, in
taking care of the poor children which they
seem to regard as State property, on whom
the burdens of Eoeiety are to fall. The
amount distributed 70 each white child in
the rich counties where negroes are prof.
table is at least three dollars to one in the
poorer counties, where negroes are not so
profitable Magnanimous scheme Of al
munifcent Legislature Talk good to the
poor and divide the money among the rich.
Whilst talking about the Legislature,
allow me to ask you plain question or
two--hint at little country gossip-then
make suggestion on my own hook as |
want no one offended at you for what ]
write. Did you attend party given to
the members of the Legislature this winter
by some one who was supposed to be bid
ding for seat in the .. S. Senate If
so, did two. thirds or more Of the members,
together with some of the oldest and most
distinguished officers of the State, both po-
itical and judicial, get drunk? keep your
temper: when say drunk, mean DRUNK.
Again; did you attend the Governors
party I? If so, did the same thing occur
there And did the ladies, hush yes,
ladies, drink wine freely, publicly, yea more
than one glass, more than two, even, SO
that the fantastic toe quivered at least two
feet farther from the floor after taking re-
freshments than it did before? Finally,
did you attend any Of the oyster suppers
and other carousals given in your city by
parties interested in the passage of bills
before the Legislature? If so, were a
large portion Of the members drunk l
ask you these things. supposing if you we're
there, that you at least were sober, and
could Judge properly of the drunkenness of
others. | know it is often said, and per-
haps with some truth, that "when a man
gets drunk he thinks all others drunk but
himself" (That's country gossip Now
| propose that all the sober members cleo
ted to the next Legislature meet in Raleigh
on Saturday night before the Legislature
/ rrrvvte -A1-..les.-;, ;. havo n neettig a.
Temperance Hall, Gf you have such q
place. and form themselves into commu
nitv of sober men; determine to dlink nc
liquor in Raleigh; attend no party, (no
even the Governor's,) vote for no measure
} or bill that wines, or oysters, or any othe
bribes have been offered or promised b,
its friends directly or indirectly, to secur
T its passage through the Legislature.
We frequently hear it charged, at thl
r great distance from Raleigh, that more
e done in the Legislature by fresh oyster
l. and good liquor, than ever has been don
bv good arguments, and that rich gentle
u men from the east spend hundreds OF do
X lars in that way every session. If that
1T so, is it lot time that what few sober me
g we have in the State know it? Ii 1T
N not so, it ought to be contradicted and til
~ matter set right.
IA Do not be surprised, my dear Age,
ID there be an effort made In some OF o.
It. County Courts to resist the late Revenl
81 bill, by refusing to levy the taxes; by M
a too who are fond Of good liquors las tn
e call it,) making the conduct Of the la
ne Legislature in refusing Western extensio
and removing restrictions on Weste
h railroads an excuse for it. But hope b.
X ter counseIs will prevail. We shall
what we shall see.
mt But | assure you spirituous liquor, unl'
1d met and exposed in its true light, both
n the HIGH as well as the low places,
ur continue to reign in and rule this count
mt Its influence is so potent that no polltl
'r- party or aspiring politician dare touch
ee Extensively. What is to become OF
be ambitious youth? call upon parents W
he have promising children (and all hs
OF, them.l to reflect what course they exp'
" their children to take. If the most di'
OF pated are most popular with both sex
we do you not suppose your children will
cline to the popular course? Then, pl
u vou, if you would save your children fro
&C. down intemperanee, attack it in high |
ast ces, even in the Legislative halls or on
ach Supreme Court bench; attack it in the +
~ cradle little smoking hints called still h
" -" ses; attack it In refusing to vote for I'll
one miserable demagogues who offer it
utus bribe to secure your vote, and thereby
nun them from the commission OF pepur
s. taking the oath of Office attack it II
fusiug to associate with the maker or
der, or allowing your family to assoc
&C. with them. Shew them no counten
Ire. or sympathy. But in your very soul
.rti- 0. pity the poor inebriate-that unft
,ooIs nate victim who thought he was in
"A wo danger when he took the first g lass
cvo- those he thought were his friends.
, but alas, my friendly youth, do not believe
those man your friend who woald ask 20
,ri.nd drink liquor. Avoid his company as
: host would man who had the itch, an
70 in. word for it you will not regret 1t
their YOU grow old. So says
" say "
lature TWe give our plain-spoken Core
that dent a place, although his bluntness
ation, offend some. But as the subjects s
lucate of arc legitimate topics for public IL
tn an and investigation, we feel it to be ou
they to give him an opportunity to rea'
roes in public ear-himself alone being respc
In