Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-22
8Ju CTHE SPIRIT or TnR1Adf.

AlF. EDITORIALS the time for the no osZ
semolInG of the Convention draws hpar AID
question is very naturally being pronounJed
"Wnatactlon will it take inregard to the CON.
version OF grain of the country into whist av+,
From evidences exhibiting themselves on evo-
ny hand, a~pprehensions have alreadv been ev
CITED and are now exciting the minds of mon
OF the visitation upon us of a sore famine
not because of a scarcity of the articles Of
food-for it will be admitted that the crone
OF the past two years were signalIy abundant
and prosperous nor because of a want of
men to attend to the growing of the grain,
because acomparlson of the muster rolls of
the army with the last census, will exhibit
the TACT that q very small per centum of our
"onulatlon have assumed the duties of the
tented field-but because of a conversion of
the grain, that has been reaped so abundant
~. INTO distilled liquor and it's consequent di-
version from the markets as an. article of
food. Unlike most other g panics," this
whiskey panic is worthy the attention Of the
people. 1sea "a rs7v sosszs q. Aaf ID "
In the midst Of difficulties the most ardu-
Gus and trying experienced by us, when all
the energies Of our people are demanded to
wage a successful war against the enemv-
when economy, circumspection and a sacri-
nee OF everything save that which contrib
utes Immediately to our necessities is deman-
ded at home, as well as courage, fidelity and
lnVlnclollty In the army, 1T is a grievous sin,
a crying shame, a burning stigma upon our
people, that they should not only tolerate.
outtoster and encourage in their midst these
vast maelstroms into which is being drawn,
IN enormous quantities, that upon which
more than anything else man depends for
sustenance. 1t is net only as a moral evil
but as a social and political evil. that it should
be remedied. sa @ah -
In Wake county there are thirty distile-
rles In Pitt county, says a correspondent of
the Wilmington Journal, there are 20, and
from one point alone in that county can be
seen the smoke ascending from Ia distilleries!
Averaging 5 distilleries to each county in the
State, which is far, very far, below the true
average-we have for 81 counties s435 dis
t~illeries, turning from its natural and %lepiti-
mate current the very tide of life, taking
from the mouths of the people the boon
granted. them by a propitious Heaven as a
compensation for their labor, and instead of
yielding an equivalent in aught beneficial,
are pouring their fiery streams of desolation
and death through every portion of our land.
In the name OF humanity, by that Just and
indefeasible right that attaches to every
member OF the government to demand a re-
dress Of grievances endured, and in behalf Of
the people of the State, who are being sub
jected to that worst of all public calamities
a FAMINE-we ask shallsuc things be p
Shall men be permitted, in a time like this,
when the supplies from abroad, upon which
we have hitherto relied. have been, and are
now cut oil, and we are necessarily constrain-
ed to rely for silstenance solely upon the
WrnI,,of~r ~ 49, 49, - IL
vert from its proper channel the grain of the
country, but to turn it into channels whence
it shall flow, more potent for evil, and with
an influence more disastrous and ruinods
than that passed by our enemies ? Shall
human happiness and human life be leopard
lied, and thousands Of our fellow-citizens be
subjected to the acceptance of one of two al
ternatiYes-staIyation anda miserable death,
or that of crime;-that those who, by the
thirst for gain have been blinded to every
principle of patriotism and, even humanity,
and have been the authors of all the mis-
chief, shall be permitted to coin gold ont of
the misery they have induced ? -
And will the Convention sit inactive, in
ert, perfectly passive, aud permit this sub
ject to pass by them UNDECIDED, this evil to
pass unremedied, while in possession of the
power to check it, even in its very infancy ?
We believe not. We believe there are men
in that body who are above the petty, grovel-
ling Influences that operate so powerfully up
on little 'minds-and to them we look for the
initiative in the reform we seek. We would
not attempt to leSislate morality, into the
minds Of the people, nor by legal enactment
force q temperance reform upon them. Expe-
rience has proven that any such attempt
would result in an ignominious failure, as
disgracefula as it would be deserved. But the
happiness of the people of the State, and the
absolute certainty that a failure, on the part
Of the Convention to devise checks for the
growing evil, would result in Consequence
disastrous indeed TO the best interests of the
people, demand that some action should oe
habitat the minds of men should be re-
lieycd of those fearful apprehensions-alas !!
too well fouEded-of coming danger, that
have been aroused in regard TO this matter.
Evidence can be brought before any COM
mittee appointed by the Convention, which
will disclose the startling facts, that agents
of these pest houses are trayersing every
portion of the State, paying a premium over
those who purchase for other and respecta-
BILE purposes, in order to. obtain the gram
Permit such things to pass us by like a sum
mer cloud, UNDECIDED, unchecked, and soon
will be forced upon US the direst consequent
ceS. .H,c, .
The real issue is, not the morality or inn
morality, the expediency or inexpediency of
the use of distilled lio11or-b1f Wbiskey or