Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-08

correspondence Oh the SpTlJ Ol the age. /
Or eountry-tmpeatine taiIing-ha6its Of
the people, Washingtoa-Superior Court,
DEC.
BEAUFORT Co. N. c., June 1st, 80.
Dear Spirit Your weekly ghost is still
welcome, though it still lifts its warning
voice against that great moral blot upon our
country, intemperdRce.
What a land Of corn, Of cotton, of flowers,
would this be, but for Alcohol. Its blight
and mildew are seen in all quarters, especial
ly among the poorer classes. Formerly most
Of our people were engaged in the business
Of making tar and turpentine. 1t promised
much greater remuneration than cultivating
small crops but it encouraged idle and in
temperate habits among the laboring people.
y man who could parade a small horse and
cart, and two barrels of tar or turpentine,
was a man of gumpti0n. These were sent
to town twice or three times a week, perhaps
u dozen miles but the cart was always de-
coratcd with n couple Of Jugs, one to be filled
with whiskey and the other with molasses.
If either were left at home, it was the molass-
es jug.
Formerly the streets of Washington were
thronged with these carts, with who's pro.
prietors n brisk traffic was carried on. Most
OF these signs of trade have disappeared. Oc-
caSionally u few carts come in, but the glory
has departed, and now our country town pre-
sents fewer evidences of trade. The turpen-
tine business is nearly over, and | could wish,
that with its extinction, intemperance may
disappear. But alas its cry is that of the
horselcech, Give, givc!'
Our temperance men appear discouraged.
Few there be to contend against the enemy.
Yet there are many firm, quiet, decided souls,
who will not touch the monster Alcohol.
We witnessed a scene last week at our Su.
perior Court, which excited our sympathies,
and led us TO desire to see the DAYS return
when the temperance men of the land viii
rally again, to make an effort to expel the
monster from our midst A Mr.. Smith, from
one Of the dark corners Of Pitt co. was ar
raigncd for the murder of another Mr.. Smith
last October. They were relations | believe
both of them above 20 years of age, and hat
been warm, devoted friends. The decease
lived with the prisoner, | believe. On tn
occasion of the murder, others had been inv
ted to a tar-banking, /. c. preparing the tai
kiln for burning. Whiskey was abundan
and all drank freely, and by night they wer
all too drunk to know east from west. tn
Smiths were as drunk as the rest, and 81
down at night TO discuss politics. They weI
Of course able politicians neither coul
scarcely read, if at all, and both drunk. The
belonged to opposite parties, and soon II
discussion became warm, hard words passes
and the deceased drew his knife and threaten
cd the prisoner, at which the prisoner seize
n piece of lightwood, and severely beat tt
deceased upon the head and arms. No ph,
stefan was called and the deceased being poo
ly provided for died in about 0 days after.
The prime pal witness, whose story If b
lieved, woI ] have hung the prisoner, was
party at Ie banking, and was so drunk
to have zen pronounced by a little boy, pre-
emit dead drunk yet he testified, drunk
he was on the stand, that he witnessed 4
whole affair as he deposed. The jury broug
ma verdict Of manslaughter. The judge
consideration of his age, did not sentence HI
o be branded, but imprisoned him until l
ember next and fined him 800, and to ent
nto bonds for his good behaviour twel
months after. The old man seemed decT
fe cted and his aged wife who sat by h