Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-04
4 Time Of Trial.


Under ordinary circumstances, i Is diiii-
cult for Temperance men to keep their iaith
in the final tliumph of the cause srom nag
ging, owing to The tho:lsand dsconraging
obstacles constantly throsn in the way to
obs.Iurt its progress Bpt Of all the unto
ward events since the beginning Of The re :
form, enc il more9 pregpant With mischief,
none 80 threatening il is consequences to
society, in . tnaral aspect, as the present
disastrous war.
We do not propose TO discuss the causes
which have brought on the fierce and bitter
contest now raging, nor speak of the folly,
madness and guilt Of our enemies, who in
the part they are acting in this melancholy
drama are seeking to ~suijugate and degrade
US but our object IS to speak otNthe effects
of this war upon the moral and especially
the Temperance interests of society
1t IS well known that the Temperance, as
well as every other good cause, can enly be
advanced as access can be obtained 70 the
reason and conscience of men. The public
mind is SO absgbed by the distracted condi
ton of the cedniry as to preclude the CON
sideration Of . subject looking to the nora
and social elevation Of society. VIII th,
South be able to maintain itself in the strue
gle for freedom and independence? How
long will our revolutionary struggle contin
ue? And anxiety for the safety and vel
fare of our loyed. ores who have taken W
arms against the enemy. These are tn,
questions and feelings that must, for tn
time being, take precedence Of all others.
Another melancholy aspect of this suffice
is found in the fact, that the class of person
upon whom We mainly rely for the perpetui
ty of Temperance principles, is the very on
that is to be most injuriou>ly affected b,
the. calamities which nave oye.taken US
The yoang men Of the nation for the mos
part fill our ranks, swarm our camps, an,
encounter all the incidents thereto. The
are full Of ambition and zeal. Their excite
passions turn to the bottle for stimulation
Parental admonitions are, alas! too ofte.
forgotten; wholesome restraints are dlsre
garded; and the barriers to vicious indul
gence are broken down. Recruits in III
~drunkard's army are enlisting by the thou
sand andevery liquor seller, encouraged b
his increased gains, plies his Internal art
with unusual zeal. We feel sad when "
think of the homes desolated and heart
broken by reason Of this excitement, howe,
er gratifying the result may be in a nation;
point Of view.
The arrangement of business, the fnanci;
embellishments so much complained OF, al
even the more disastrous events of this wa
are nothing in comparison with the wide
spread generalization consequent upon th.
unfortunate controversy. From the fofmt
the country may speedily recover by the Sc
tlement of sectional differences; but frol
the latter /; years of earnest effort will hardl
suffice to repair the mischief
We who are fighting against the great de
stroyer Of peace and virtue have unusual df
couragements but, relying upon the JUST,
of our cause and. the favor of God, v
should-struggle more valiantly. What pr
rent who loves his offspring; what patri
who loves his country what philanthropy
who loves humanity ; what Christian wi
loves his Goodwill not grasp his trust
sword more firmly when all that that
loves is in peril !?