Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-22
An Earnest Appeal to the Ladies.


In the calculation of the features of this
theme, and its adaptation to the different clas-
ses OF community, will the gentle sex deem
1t uncourteous should l specially solicit their
cooperation.
Your own characteristic modesty, my fair
trends, must %concede, that in the present en-
lghtened state of society, especially in our
own country, there exists no earthly incen.
tive to vlrtuous action on our part, like that
Of female influence.
10 you, then, who in the endearing rela-
ton OF mother, wife and sister, have 80 en-
twlned yourselves around our wayward hearts
tnat they must cease to pulsate, ere they re-
fuse to respond to your cherished claims.
allow me to urge, that much, very much, de-
penasson your exertions in this holy cause.
70 you, therefore earnestly appeal for the
influence OF your powerful example. I en-
treat you to blend your efforts with ours for
the suppression of this bewildering vice,
whose .deadliest evils often light upon you
and your families.
You who grace the walks of single life.
nave associates and friends among us, who
would hazard life to insure your approving
smiles.-Wil they not then Danish a habit
which they are assured has the stamp of V
10y ASPAOOdtlVkl. 1Ou nave OTOLQorS
who love you with fIaternal fondness. Ry
your endearing and timely persuasions, de-
coy them from the resorts of the idle and dis
slpated, and encourage them to unfurl the
banner OF Temperance, and mantle themselves
In its folds With a capciliating firmness of
purpose, entlce all within the sphere of your
influence to Tee the haunts of dissipation.
Teach them that in the embryo bud turks
the NnuonOmod nn,co0 49, -
ing Is the germ OF inebriety, the poisoned
fountain whence all the bitter waters of in.
temperance have issued. Teach them that
there is no sure panoply but entire absti-
nence, and that if once launched in the frail
bark OF dissipation, though they fancy them
selves secure IN their firmness, and proudly
say TO the waves OF temptation, so far shalt
thou come and no farther, yet experience
proves that while thus tampering, sooner or
later, they will be overwheled in the vortex
OF destruction, that though the pride of in.
tellect induce the belief that they shall never
yield, yet the most towering genius is oft OBJ
secured oy the whitening influence that turks
in the bowl, or, that though secure in the
possession OF health, they venture the subtle
poison mingled in every libation.
Ladies, exert your persuasive eloquence to
impress on your young associates that if thew
would be respected by community. or main
tain an equality with their fellow-citizens, if
they would not obscure the setting sun of
their parents, or forfeit the love of friends. if
they would not repay with ingratitude the
tender care which sustained their infancy,
and watched with uncsasing vigilance their
~caseless childhood, if they would not blight
the hopes with which their parents now look
up to them as the prop of declining wears, if
they would not mingle the gall of bitterness
with the last dregs of their own earthly cup,
they must obey the injunction, touch not,
taste not, handle not, the poisoned chalice.
To accomplish the object in which we are
engaged, we look to the all prevailing infu-
ence, the persevering efforts of woman, and
believe me, if you will resolutely, yet gently,
firmly, yet with characteristic ~softness, stem
the tide of fashionable intemperance, you will
be richly repaid for your generous exertions
by seeing this deprecated evil which has
caused many a sigh of hopeless anguish to
heave the female bosom, gradually, yet for
ever disappear from the haunts of domestic
life, and you will feel the happiness arising
from the reflection. that your frowns have
efectually assisted to repel the invader who
was making your homes desolate, and en- :
sharing by hisSNagic influence those very
beings upon whom>gour own gentle natures
should rely for profession.
Look around at the yosths. Their cheeks
are now glowing withthe Rse of unimpaired
health, their eyes now sparkling with the
fire OF undimmed intellect, thelN steps are
now buoyant with the joyousness oS<unsul-
lied innocence, and then voices utter the
notes OF filial affection to gladden. yoal
hearts.
Would you see those beaming eyes emit n.
brilliancy save the spark of expiring genius
would you cherish the agent that may in fu
ture years convert their steps Of buoyanc,
into the staggered the debased inebriatey woul1
.. you render It probable that those words O
Is love may ere long, give place to exclamation