Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-19
For the Standard.
DIsTILLATION OF GRAIN.


Mr.. EDITOR As the time for the meeting OF our
Legislature is at hand, it might not be amlss
20 suggest to our legislators few thoughts Inc.
Convention of North Carolina passed an ordinance
prohibiting the dstlation of ardent spirits tout OF
gran) from the 18th of April to the lst Of January,
1863 leaving further action in the matter alscre-
tionary with the Legislature. The necessity for
such an ordinance was apparent to the minds o:
thinking men, and their only regret was it did not
take effect soon enough. The question arises in
the minds of men anxious for the welfare Of the
country, what will our legislators do? Will they
supinely shrink from their duty, and let oate mon
sters basely throttle the very bread out OF the
Threats of the widows and orphans Of the land, to
convert into whiskey to fill their Golfers, or will
they promptly perform it wise legislators ought
to do?
To thoughtful, casual observer, unacquanted
with the deep depravity of the human heart any
action on the subject might seem unnecessary
But well-informed, thinking men view the matter
in quite different light. They know and deeply
feel, true patriots ought to feel that this is no
time to be dalying with internal nor external foes.
The exgence of the times calls for vigorous and
determnate action, and the man that skulks re-
sponsblty deserves not the name of true patriot
ard is unfit to be trusted in the councils of the MS
ton. | am not writing an essay on temperance
nor shall say whether a man ought or ought not
to drink whiskey. Such is not my intention, nor
would it be to the point. The question simply is,
ought the Legislature of North Carolina to permit
dstllers who have kept out Of the service by hiring
substtutes,) to convert the grain of the country
into whiskcy to sell at exOrbtant prices, leaving
the wives and children of those in service destitute
of food-in starving condition? 1t seems to me,
if true and loyal citizens are required to leave their
homes and enter the service, for the defence and
perpetuity of our civil and religious institutions,
the Legislature ought to manifest its appreciation
of their services by protecting their families from
the vile clutches of the ruthless wolves of the land
Disters, in ordinary times, are not the most
patriotic and piouS portion of a community. But,
perhaps ought to stop, for fear might become as
indignant as the old lady was, when she exclaimed,
~ by, they are as mean as dogs?" With all due
Difference to the kind old sisters opinion, | must
enter my protest against such invidous COMPARE
sons. What have mastiffs done to entitle them to
such uncnvable notoriety? soldiers faithful
dog will guard his owners premises with vigilance
during his masters absence on duty, and give his
wife timely notice where night providers are intru-
ding But am not quite sure aN distillers would
be found too conscientious to buy the soldiers
grain Of his negro, during his absence, even while
The faithful watchdog would be raising his voice,
hoarsely. against such ungratefu conduct.
But suppose dlStlllers would be, and ever have
been "as fair as the moon and clear the sum-"
what argument would that be why the Legislature
ought not to watch, with vigilance, the best inter-
ests Of the country at time when the high prices
and scarcity OF grain dictates prudent economy !?
The question would be, which of the two evils
would put State to the most Inconvenience, the
lack of whiskcy or the lack of bread?
trust, Mr. Editor, our Legislature will prohibit
the dstllation of grain, and not feel the old man
felt, when he said "he hated to see so muc.: corn
wasted in bread-t made whiskey so high"
TYRO.