Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-04-25
Sons of Temperance.

eoAo VI 4SAAPOAoAOC'
To this Order, chiefly, is the world indebted
for the present advanced state of public senti-
ment in opposition to the odious liquor traffic,
as well as to the great reform it has effected
in the drinking customs and habits of the
community at large. When its voice was
first heard, in whispers of admonition and
warning, against the practice of the common
domestic use of intoxicating beverages at the
side-board and in the family circle, it was
pronounced as great an intrusion and out
rage upon ''private rights" as we now hear
against legal interference against the sale of
the poison. But by the means of the Press,
public Lecturers and the establishment Of
Divisions throughout the length and breadth
of the land, by the agitation of the subject,
appeals to the reason, judgment and expe-
rience of the public: by the publication of
facts and figures, demonstrating the myriad
of evils that for generations have spread like
a blighting mildew over the face of society
by a firm, uncompromising array of truth
and argument, the public mind has so be-
come aroused, that few are now found who
nave Tile udTQllOOu l uelenu llSSc SuSNOIuS,
which, but ten or fifteen years ago were regar-
ded as the true index of high-souled gene
rosity and elevated, refined courtesy and hos
pitality.
So also in regard to the pernicious and de-
t grading system, so long p~ractised by candi-
dates for public Office, of circulating the
drunkard's cup among the people, by way of
an assurance of their fitness to places of re-
sponsibility and honor. But so has public
e sentiment been elevated by the leavening in
y fuence diffused through society by the Or
der of the Sons of Temperance, that none
but the low and degraded, and the utter con-
temner of the high principles of virtue and
morality, will SO debase themselves and their
Il cause, and so insult an enlightened c~Onstitu-
OF ency, as to be engaged in it. Through the
influence of the Sons of Temperance has this
Sc happy reformation been effected.
10 And so we might go on, pointing to each
X advance step that has been made since 1S43,
u. and we could trace its incipiency and perma-
" nency to the same great and good agency
II With these truths before US, then, how impor-
~ tant that the same powerful lever that has
~ placed the great moral editice upon so eleva-
II ted a pedestal, should still be cherished and
to
to bear in favor of the total determination Of
the evil from the landI With its aid, we
shall march on to sure ard permanent victo-
ry, as certainly as it has effected our present
high and noble position.
Let us, Brethren of the Order, cling to il
"a as the anchor of our hope-the sure guaran
tee of ultimate and perfect victory. Bring
out your Banners that have hung in DUST
apathy on your inner walls-build anew you
beacon fires that now lie smouldering in tn
ashes-let your voices be heard, like clarioI
notes, on hilltop and in valley, for the refo1
nation of your fellOw-men, and for the ri
moval of the great temptation to their d.
s~tructiOn constantly presented through tn
:. liquor traffic.
Let us go back to first principles-brin
in the wanderer-enlist the right minde
under our tri-colored banner of red, viii
an and blue-array ourselves in stern and sol
reat phaianx before the public eye, and let the
pro- see we have panoplied ourselves for the mig
,eft ty conflict.
,rld. REMEMBER If the Temperance cause shi
r its ever finally triumph in n. Carolina, it will
for through the active, leading efforts Of the So
de- OF Temperance, seconded, defended and su
rma- ported by true-hearted men out of the Ord,
| ex- Dlsoano our present Temperance Assoc
gion lions, and in a year or two the cause viii ha
;eed- receded to where it stood twenty years ag
sure Think of these things, members Of the Orde
aged and do your whole duty, in the sight of G
-ance and in behalf of suffering humanity.