Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-08-24
The Liqucr Curse.

the severance of the South from the
Northern government, that if ever the
Union was dissolved, we believed the
curse Of intemperance among the leading
men of the country in both sections who
had been entrusted with the conduct of
our national affairs, would be the great
controlling cause. The truth of history
has indicated the correctness of the as
sertlon. Had calm, sober reason and
judgement prevailed, the injustice and
oppression heaped upon the South by
the North, never would have been And
had Lincoln, Seward and other leading
spirits at Washington been sober men,
even at the Inauguration Of hostilities,
this cruel and bloody war upon the
South might, and probably would have
been avoided. But the liquor bottle was
the councillor in the cabinet and ameng
congressman drunken passion, frenzy
and rage took the place of cool reason
and sober judgement, ahd q million of
human lives have beeS &kcrificed to the
demands of accursed liquor.
And its blood thirsty raEages and de-
mands are rife in the South at this day
among u officers in the field, in the
cabinet, in the quartermasters, commits
sary and other departments. Let every
one take notice who has any business,
or in any manner comes in contact
with government officers or agents, and
he will find that a large. majority of
them bear the brand of the. beast up
on their faces. and its disgusting fumes
come reeking from their h%alfrrotten car
cases at every breath. They are noto,
rious on account Of the numerous ant
the 6ig drinks they take, They are seer
and known here, there and every where
Liquor seems to be their god and they
worship at its altar with a fervor tina
a~ttests their love and devotion.
1t is useless to more definitely par
ticularize them, though we might do so
1t is well known that the government
employees, from high to low degrees
with a few honorable except ons, are tn
great gusslers Of the age. Whether thu
fact beaknown to the appointing and con
trolling powers, we know not, but woul,
fain hope not. Is it not the duty of ev
cry good citizen, however, to report then
49,, and ~ "a" ofat5'
rest at Headquarters, they suffer sucl
men to disgrace the places they hold.
But how can such men respond to tn
Proclamation of President Davis, ap
pointing days of fasting, humiliation
and prayer before God, Do they tas
from their drinks of intoxicating fluids
Not they. Would they do it, if th
whole country could be saved the rays
ges of war by such a sacrifice ? "
doubt it. Were they to be found at Il
houses of worship in humble prostratie
before Almighty God. Not they. B,
> a holiday afforded them opportuni'
for a double portion of their libations.
And not only ofice-holders, but o
: citizens, by hundreds Of thousands, q
w~orshiping the Liquor god and indul
ing in habits Of vile intemperance. W
God hear the prayers off Nation who
officers and citizens are given over
:, habits of intemperance-who, instead
" being PROSTATE before Him, and wi
, prayers and intercession bes eechil
A Him to turn away his wrath from us a
o interpose His might in affecting our
- liverancs from the enemy, are given
"a ca~rousals, debauchery and sin in ey
shape?
Verify, liquog had 10 small hand
Is bringing on this war, has continued
~ for these years; and if the cause Of
u South could be lost, liquor would
!, one ofthe prime agents that accompli
ed it.