Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-02
ews OF the Day.
Legislative Guardianship.

PeoPHc VI tnls state ought to feel SUI
premely grateful to their Legislative guardi-
ans, for the very vigilant and anxious con-
Germ which they manifest, at every biennial
session, for the protection and preservation of
their interests. Surely a more watchful and
fatherly set of legislators do not bless many
OF The States, to an extent equal to ours
With lynx-eyes they watch every avenue Of
approach to the Treasury-guard every point
OF attack upon m~onopolies and corporations
sanction every scheme which costs nothing.
promotive of education, individual enterprise
or internal improvement, except the DanviIle
connection-protect every mans barn and
hog pen, and by way Of indulgence to the
dear people," throw up the food-gates to
the liquor traffic, that the land may be de-
luged BY the food Of intemperance.
It must not be overlooked, as an offset to the
latter, that at every session attempts are made
to regulate the traffic in spirituous liquors
indicating that our Legislative fathers really
think that there is some danger in an animal
that has horns and that bellows SO Justify
that has gored SO many a man and laid waste
50 many fields that promised a good crop
that really such a beast ought to be pampered
a little. So they fail to regulatiSoth animal
ever and anon, leaving him still able to do
what good or evil he may, after one foot is
tied and a bell put around his neck, in order
that all men may know to whom he belongs.
lie IS thus turned loose upon the COMMON
wealth, after every session, with the special
injunction upon all Of his EeeDers. 'Hbe very
careful to let him gore and rip-opcn and ut
terly demolish every acdjte man, woman and
chill, that chances to come III lis WAY; and
if they seem dubious Of The animal and In
eiinel to shun him, you have Il Eccase to
entice them; hang out your banners-swear
there l. no harm il hiin-lrum them up-do
what Won may, 50 that the good rHife people
OF North Carolina, shall feel the influence Of
his power and be charmed BY the music Of
his roar, But mind you, gentle kee2eys, be
particular, on pain Of fine and imprisonment.
don't, don't, whatever else you do, don't lei
him run a-foul Of any Sure or free ae9ro in
this good commonwealth. He may do what
he will with white people reduce them to
beggary and want; he may destroy their
health, reputation, intellect, wealth and lives:
he may break the hearts Of wives and begrar
cAildren-he may fill our prisons and aim,
houses with multitades of degraded white
people-yea, for ought we care, he NAV scnd
them to hellby the wholesaIe-and YOU, gen.
tie keepers, may fill your pockets with theil
substance, if you can but hear us, O We be
loved keepers, and be silent that YOU NAV
heari-lf you dare allow him to do damage
to a slave Or free negro, Wen be down upon
you for know We not that every time a slaY,
or free negro smells his breath, the barns. ana
smoke-houses or hen roosts of the neighbor-
hooi are in danger, and if corn, or cotton, d
bacon or fowls be missing and they are founC
secreted on your premises, woe be unto Won
Hear our mandate, and go forth to vour bu
siness. You have our license. So be it."
Wen, the good people Of this common
wealth mast be thankful for small fayors. 7
IS well that our wise and considerate fathers
have a care for the more ignorant and worth
less part Of our population. It would be
bad case indeed if no restraint were laid upor
the heepera. But do not our fathers pcrceiv,
that the State is run to a great cost by tn,
employment of so many keepers Might no
one in ten, or one in fifty, manage the ANNA
quite as we'll? Depend on it the Treasur,
feels deeply the pressure of so many depen
dents, If forty-nine of every fifty were dis
charged and encouraged to till the ground, O.
would turn their hands to some other produc
tive employment, how soon would the clamor,
OF the people cease about high taxation. y
How soon would the Treasury be filed an,
the State debt be cancelled. We meeklv bu
gravely call the attention of that grave body
our Legislative fathers, to these suggestions
and this nemorialist will over pray. &c.