Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-11-14
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Cease not to Cry."

Mr.. EDITOR Allow me to give you an
account Of one days. observation. After teach
ing a few hours in the morning, / left my
school-room for the town of W., where the
Bell, Breckenridge, and Douglas Electors
were to set forth the principles of their par
ties. On arriving at W., | soon discovered
men staggering under the influence of liquor,
while the doors of the g~rog-shops were throng-
ed with others, bound by the letters of Sa-
tanic deception ; and occasionally one might
be seen to fall into the abominable hole in
the ground, as this is one of the places where
liquor is kept for sale in w. But the cry
was soon heard, repair to the Court House."
to which [ adhered, and attentively listened
t. the discussion, which consumed about five
hours. | again entered the streets, where |
saw men lying PROSTATE on the ground, under
the influence of liquor and heard bitter
Oaths from others, not in as stupid a condi-
ton.
As night was approaching, l steered my
course for home, but had not gone far before
/ overlook a neighbor, who occupied the whole
road. His two little sons were trying to sup
port him and it made me shudder, to think
what an example he was setting before them.
But seeing that the lads were not at all in
toxicated, [ passed a few words with them,
| olAa WV W AbNhS OlN CSoOO VI AA1A1 SooO
they possibly could. | arrived home about
night, when | was informed, that there was
a man in the road dead drunk. After supper
| was one of four to carry the poor creature
to the house, that he might be sheltered
from the dangers of the night. He had lost
his hat and had not care been taken of him
he would have suffered exceedingly with cold.
The poor inebriate became somewhat sober
about l o'clock at night, and desired to make
his way home. He looked desperately mean,
and | have no doubt he felt meaner than he
looked. He said, he knew the evils of his
course but could not say, he would not get
drunk again.
Now, as it is admitted that such characters
have not power over themselves to abstain
from drinking would not North Carolina dc
a just act by legally prohibiting the traffic il
liquors? Long have the friends of temper
ance cried aloud the evils of ~inebriati on, but
when will it be that men will take heed t.
their ways? Will it be when the dark cloud!
of inebriation have settled more closely owe
the families of the earth, or will it be whel
North Carolina, like the bold sons of tn
Revolution, has declared her independents
and made laws for the prohibition of the trai
fc in liquors?
We have tried moral ~suasion various sc
cletleS nave spread over our lanui Temperance
halls have been reared in our midst yet GU
ears are constantly saluted with the cries G
desolate widows and orphans, begging for tn
necessities of life, while the wretched hus
band and father is lying in a drunkard'
grave. What has caused this lamentation
North Carolina has legalized the traffic in |
quors, and there have been men found wit
good moral characters" who have crept int
polluted buildings, or detestable holes in til
ground, to sell liquor. These are the me
who have converted health into disease
wealth into poverty, and he who was homo
ed for integrity and intelligence. into a gil
bering idiot. Shall such an evil and disgra.
to our State be tolerated We are a free pc
: pie, and have the power of making such Law
|, as will promote the interest of all.
4 FRIEND TO TEMPERANCE.