Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-19
JANUARY 49, 1859.

All their ambitious designs, their delusive
hopes, and great expectations were but
dreams for they have been defeated, and
have vanished as the morning dew. They
were passengers upon the old ship Of time,
whose motion is perpetual, and whose pro-
gress no storm has ever been able to check.
Their Decentralization was not voluntary,
but compulsory, and, in many cases, pre-
mature and unexpected. Nation has risen
against nation, kingdom against kingdom,
town against town, neighkor against neigh
Dor, father against son, son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter
against mother. Malice, strife and con-
tentions haze gone hand in hand, and have
despoied their victims of every vestige OF
peace and happiness. Ambition, the love
.se-sssa i, and n thirst for perishable honors
have impeded the progress, and hindered
the propagation of religious knowledge
Bacchanalianism, with all its concomitant
evils, has, in many places, run riot and
isucceeded in overthrowing temples of vir-
tue and demolishing religious edifces
King Alcohol has been foremost in the
work of death to morality and religion, as
we'll as to human beings. Were he to ex-
hibit his list Of victims for 1853, no doubt
we should see the names Of princes, mobiles,
distinguished statesmen, prclatcs, pastors,
and deacons, as well as many others whose
names do not sound so highly in the world
but whose immortal souls are as precious
to God as theirs. Alas alas How long
will this formidable tyrant be allowed to
domineer over the human race, and when
shall his kingdom be overthrown! Not
until the press and the ministry consent tc
expose the disgrace of great men, and bring
their evil doings, as we'll as their gOoc
qualities to the light, and cease to conceal
the one, and hold up the other to the pub
lie gaze. This is too frequently done, anC
that too, by men who are always ready tC
anathematize the poor, for doing tha
which wealthy or a great man may do a
pleasure without injury to his popularity o.
gentiity.
Break down the tyrants influence il
high places, and it will fall of itself in low
ones. People always did, and always vii
follow the examples Of their leaders, cspe
ciaIly when those examples are in con
formity with the acquisitions Of fallen ma
ture. But | am DEPRESSING from the point
1t was not my intention to say aught abou
the dement's of intemperance, when too
up the pen to write this article; therefore
will leave it for abIcr pens than mine
(Which | regard as very insignificant,) t
discuss. AS | have said, no doubt thirty
! five millions Of our race, who witnessed th
incoming of 50, are now silent in th
grave. As many mere, who will, in te'
henrs,, witness the first dawn of 1859, an
ETT- TT
2 lions, will never see another Ne
! lsar's day. Will it bel? VIII it be yol
.Ir. Editor? Or will it be any of you
readers?
Itmay be some of us; it may be none
or, it may be all. God only knows, an
futurity only can reveal the secret to us
One thing is certain; life is precaTou
death is sure. Then, since we know thu
we must die, perhaps tomorrow, (
our ways. Let us grid on the armc
of faith, hope and courage, and rail-
around the sacred standard of virtue an
truth. Why should we fear, when the il
terests Of truth and virtue are at stake?-
Why should we fear those who contemn Vi
tue, truth and Justice? God requires us
make good use of our talents; and Y
believe that tie friends of virtue truth, al
justice, are endowed with sufficient talen
and learning to vanquish the misanthrop
hosts who seem to live only to advan
their pecuniary interests, to accelerate Il
downfall Of morality and religion, and
build up Satan's kingdom upon the cart
Therefore, if they do not succeed, it will
their own fault, and God will call them
: account for thus negecting, Or misusil
the talents committed to their charge.
Let us keep this language OF the poet co
tinually in our minds:
''IIow careful then, ought to live,
J With what religious fear;
Who such a strict account must give,
For my behavior here"
I close this article, Mr.. Editor, by wis
ing you and Your readers prosperous a
happy New Year, MEAUA.
Gully, S. G.