Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-11-20

At no period in orr history has the importance OF
taking ears OF the boys and yonng men af the coan-
try, obtained So macn vi p0ei!c &%ttea:ion. as IN iae
present jane.nre Of ssairs. They are. and viii o.
needed. to asht the battles OF oGr nation and protect
our beloved land from the Invasion Of our enemies
aud tho Threatened destruction OF cur cherished rigits
aud immunlties. Hence We hear the earnest entrsaty
that tho lives and health. the bone aad muscle OF oar
young men be well cared for, in order that by physical
vigef. power and endurance they may be able TO stand
the exposures ~ camp. and maatel!y contend against
the foe In the fierce conflicts Of the battlefield.
We are glad to witness this earnest solitude for our
young men. and deem 1t o most httiAs opportunity
for pressing upon public attention the necessity afthe
strictest observance OF one Of the principles OF this
paper. and which 1t has for long years been lahoring
to impress upon the public mind. We mean that our
boys aud young men should be taught to abjare the
use OF intoxicating drinks. There can be no doubt
that they are calculated seriously to damage the
health, ensrvate the system, dwarf the physical pow
ers, and render susceptible to disease. those who In
dulse in Thorn. A young man who has grown up
from boyhood in the habit Of freely using strong
drink, Is not as strong, healthy and capable OF enau-
ring hardships and exposures-alo other things being
equal as to natural constitutional the one who has
had his physical powers developed, ripened and
strengthened without their deteriorating aid. This
remark, we doubt not, has been sustained not only by
the experience of the war in which We are engaged'
but also by that of other nations. Let Us cite q few
instances:
Gen. Zachary Taylor, who spent nearly ATTY years
in the Camp as a soldier, was entirely abstemious az
to the use of Intoxicating drinks, never using them
in any shape AZ a beverage and he gave it as his
opinion, after q lifelong experience, that the use of
intoxicating drinks was not only demoralizing to the
army, but that those who were in the habit of using
them were not as healthy, strong and capable of dis
charging the duties of soldiers requiring extraordi.
nary courage and physical prowess, as those who alb
jured their use altogether.
Gen. Cass, who also spent much of his life in camp
was a strict total abstinence man, and IS to this day,
being now upwards of fourscore years, and in the en-
joyment of remarkable good health, and a vigorous
intellect. And be has again and again given as advice
to the young. based upon his own extensive expert,
rience, that in order to secure good health, strong
constitutions, and a healthy, happy old age, they must
, forever abstain from the use of the intoxicating cup
In the great Crimean war, and in the camps of oul
: owu great army. there are hundreds, and We hope
a thousands, who recognize the principle of total absti
6 nsnce as the only path of safety. Isl
Let the youth of our country, then, learn wisdom by
the experience of these illustrious men,-and declsr.
4 eternal enmity to the use of that which conquered AL
! exaader the Great, after he had conquered the world
, press the important lesson of total abstinence upon TIT
young msn-and this secured, the South will be ahl
to present to the world a soldiery.. as powerful il
physical strength and fortitude, as they have proves
brave aud invincible in courage.