Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1864-02-29
FOR TEE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

FIR. EDITOR: Though the noble Spirit
mas changed its Editor, | am happy to
see II 8 recent editorial it Is not to chsnge
rs leading features. Etshas dome more
heretofore for the grest Temperance re-
ierm than all other periodicals in the
State; and now, sir, we trust that your
raey pen will still aid in carrying out the
principles advocated by It's former editor.
What though the subject of. Temper
anee, is an old one hackneyed We can
dldiy admit it is yet it is one that in.
wolves the moss noble principles Of our
holy religion, and if erased from the
memory o the rising generation, ruin and
terrible moral disaster must inevitably
result.
That periodical which stands forth glo
rionsly prominent in the exposition OF
the principles and truths. OF the noble
Order called "Sons of Temperance" de-
serves ta be embalmed in the memory OF
all good men ; and its editor should be
Regarded a greater benefactor of his race
than If go bad slain a million of our van.
dial foes. The moral tyranny which in
temperance rivets upen the necks of on
IaehN1 ALTo DSho, 10 y W Nv olNaOOA
tn3n the chains which are beng forged
by our enemies Of the North. The lat
ter can affecttonly our present destiny if
we should fail to conquer . peace the
former Affects .our present and eternal
interests. The one will make US slaves,
submissive to the beck and nod of atyrant
whom death shall ultimately humble
the other pinions US down to temporal
and eternal ruin.
It hehoores every Temperance man |;
every christian and ph~ilanthr2pist eve
ry lady in the land to buckle Oh the har.
ness afresh and move on the great car o.
temporal salvation, at this crisis, that our
country may be saved from the impen-
ding ruin that threatens to overwhelm it.
There never was such q time as the pres
ent. The best bleod of thousands has
been spilled in this mighty struggle be-
tween the North and the South. Thou
sands more of our nobless msn have beer
, decoyed by the tempter while upon The
field of blood, and they have fallen in
gloriously at the shrine Of Bacchus. Gu,
once noble army at home, has well nigh
given over the mighty struggle. Oul
I officials IN the army and in civil depart
) lnents are bunting their moral percep-
Utilities by a too free use of alcoholic
drinks. The Northernsfoe presses upor
our columns and disgraceful defeats, re-
suit from the management and command
t of inexperienced drunken officers. Tn
holy Church Of God, the beauty o
perfection" has been wounded by tn,
nIopc4nr on1 rho cEnrAC uuoanDo NJ.
1 ~oleecfng at every pore. Men of all ages
! 5ssashls "a apa sa sesgSaissa tive ns-saa .ss .s..
! dering voice Of conscience within; an.
then they have let loose their hsllisl
5 passions for ga6n upon the world unit
our country lies a peeled and shattered
/ wreck at their feet. Ragged and filthy
women and children huddle in huts an(
, wigwams among our mountain Businesses
seeking shelter and protection from tn,
cruel winters blast, having been chase.
thithcr by the cursed seeker Of unholl
l gain.
t Should We not, then, "cry aloud anc
spare not" and show the people of NORTH
Carolina, whirher we are tending ?
; Arise, ye God~loying and God-serviny
few, and shake yourselves for the con.
. fict .Upen gour actions hang the des
g TIMES Of . world. Sons OF Temperance
o where are you all? Come forth III tn
name of God, and meet this Goliah upo,
Y the field. We have proved our armor
: we know it will do. To your meetin
e places, every son in the State. Ladies
We call upon yon to awake and wiel
that potent power you bold. May Go
direct w through the storm of battle.
:. P. G.. OFFICER.