Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-30
Original papcrs,
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Stumbling-Block in the Way of
Reform.
ny T. G. WI.

AE matter OF course, we expect to find
spirit makers aud yendcrs opposed to the
Sons Of Temperance; but it is exceedingly
strange why so many, pretending to be
temperate and even religious, stand aloof
from the Order and even raise their voices
aud exert their influence against it. Ali
such, when coscl y pinned to the point ac-
knowledge that the Sons have done some
good and pin them up to It and they will
acknowledge that the object Of the Sons
il TO reform the drunkard Now, if the
Sons reform only one in each county Of a
State, during the long period Of ten years,
or prevent only one young man from grow
ing up drunkard, there is some good done;
and that which does some good, be it ever
80 little, and no harm, cannot be spoken
against only by fools and rnisanthropists
We know Of many professed christians
that take no part with their brethren Of
the church in the temperance cause. We
know Of both preachers and members, that
try TO occupy neutral ground. They act
out the expression of woman that looked
on while her husband was engaged, hand
TO paw, in fighting bear; which, when
the combat ended in victory to her hus-
band, exclaimed, "WelI, it's the first fight
ever saw that didn't care which whipt."
They say eve don't drink; there is no
use for us to join or poster ourselves--if
men will make beasts Of themselves it is
none Of our business"
Now, such selfish creatures would ex.
hibit more wisdom aud more consistency
were they little more selfish for it doe.
not take deep wisdom to find out that the
moro temperate and virtuous community
is, the more prosperous each member o
that community will be.
Perhaps, Mr.. Stdadbdck, you are me
chanic--a carpenter, perhaps; if so, b,
turning your iLfsence to the temperate,
cause, you would induce tha. neighbor o
yours that lives in such smoky, leaky hut
to turn from the error of his way, then yo
might have the pleasure of rearing mic
building at the old site, and the still gres
ter pleasure Of pocketing pretty larg
sum Of money in the shape of wages. Sil
let inc still further inform you, if you
not already know the fact-if you are nc
mRtaHy bliud-that by turning your il
fGence in the right way, you might caus
ten or more old rickety shanties to disaI
pear from your neighborhood, which woul
Increase your wages fifty per cent. and, n
doubt, the reputation of your sons an
daughters far above the computation
numbers.
Mr.. Drink-but-htie, you may be ca
riage maker; if so, YOU never cali in IL
many bloatcd, staggering creatures, tht
daily pass your shop, to trade with them
yet you would be pleased to know that ev
ry man in the country was able to buy OF
OF your new articles to carry him and fan
ly to church. Now put new springs
your mind, and do all you can in the ter
perance cause, and you will soon find you
self working on easy springs, and haI
times rolled far off from your door. 81
your influence might raise many to pos
tions in respectable society, where, pc
haps, they once stood, and which, perhar
they once graccd--then why not be self
enough to try
mr.. Smeii-it-occaSiondtLy, they say Y,
are a sadlcr; you would get more vo
and better pay for the drunkard, if 7
formed, that has still enough Of skin a
bone in the shape of horse to trot him
the still house, would make bis sheepsk
give way for one Of your best saddles, a
the hickory or old bark rope, that n,
serves for guide string, would soon gi
way for something that it would not bC
Inockery to call bride.
Mr. ope-to-smsil-it, you, the halter
would get more VS. by turning your INF
ence the right way for the many ]
nosed, tottering creatures that daily p
your shop, would soon throw aside
slouched hats that now hang over th
blood-shot eyes, and call for fine 'beav
But why enumerate, when what is said
one may be said of aill All tradesn
would be more prosperous, if intempera
was driven out of the land.
will Just say few words to men Of
learned professions, who fight against Il
country aud humanity, then | will let
dspit aud an old hypocrite finish this art
in telling them on whose side they are
ing.
Mr.. Drink qfter-night, you the law
how did you act when you were in
Legislature year agol Did you not st
up in the hall of the State House, ant
the top Of your voice, storm at and
. against petition of the magistrates Of
county of -, praying for an act to
hibit the sale aud use Of Intoxicating
quors at elections, mustcrs, and at all !