Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-14
MisrfllaneUms
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TIE AG
Shall We Have Peace

Mr.. EDITOR We bad almost arrlV-
ed at the conclusion, that although the
murky clouds of war seemed TO gath
ers thick and fast over us and the dogs.
of war were pressing close upon our
heels. that we could penetrate the dark
mantle and see light ahead, and that
soep an honorable peace wonld spread
its balmy wings over orr once happy but
now bleeding and desolated country,
But alas alas this sweet hope ~
about to be dashed upon the rock 81
human despair. We have been observ-
ing in our travels that the smoke be-
gins to rise in the dark hollows at til
fountains of natures blessed beverage,
from the dirty, filthy brandy still, whore
the abundant fruit crops are being
mashed in to make that miserable stuif
that causes man to lose his. reason, his
health, his pleasures on earth, his moral
and mental influence, his social and re-
hgious enjoyments, his responsibility,
his property, his hopes of earthly bliss
and Of happiness beyond this earthly
sphere. Yes, it is a fact, that men, be-
ings fashioned after Gods own image
and placed upon earth for nobler pur.
poses, have so far lost all respect for
themselves, love and respect for suffer
ing and bleeding humanity, and the
patriots who fell at their posts defend
ing their rights, would see them strip
ped of liberty, property and all that
earth holds dear, SO as for them to
make money.
; Such men are not satisfied with the
ruin and decentralization of our men and
officers SO far; not coutent with the
loss of more than one-third the Con
federacy, but they must fix up for GU
final and absolute overthrow and: ruin
| tell you, Mr.. Editor, if it had no
been for this poisonous stuff that is pu
up in hollows and muddy streams, to-
day instead Of being engaged in tn,
most horrible, miserable, fratricida
wal that man ever read of or the worl,
ever saw, we would have had peace i
the land and been a prosperous, happ
SIR siHce This ps desfroyer nas accom-
plished the overthrow of q nation ono
the pride and fear of the nations
earth, and set liberty at defiance, W
have been compelled to start out to ru
our OWL race, has not victory been 10
and Vandals been made proud, becau:
of its effect? Have not MANY of O,
most Important positions been lost b.
csuss/of its influence ! our army BET
detnoralized and nope of success be-
driven to the verge of despair's da
gulfG Now, Mr.. Editor, 1 am Meth
kprephet nor the son of prophet, b
my honest and humble opinion is, tn
if something is not done to put a st
to l~iquor-making to send to soldie
and especially officers of our noble a
vsAAiant armies, that soon, instead
having gained our independence,
may hang our harps spon the will,
and say to those noble and brave M
who have bled and died our bleed
country to save sleep on ! in vain t
blood has been shed in vain thy no
life sacrificed {: woe is ours the eo
is upon us liberty is gone : property
gone, and earth has no charms for
but a subiugated, ruined and dow
trodden people we are who have wo
ed out our own ruin.
Then let overy soldier write he
to his family to put it down stop
making of the poisonous stuff, and St
the guilty to the army where he GU
to be, without regard to his exempti'
if he has any. Let the people at he
who love their country and who
spect the soldier in the field and ct
ish fond recollections of the past
respect the revolutionary patriot
10 and desire to see the precious
acy transferred by them to us perpt
ated, let them arise and put a ste
making the stuff. Unless we do, D
is afar off. TEMPERANCE
Jackson county, N. c.