The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-07-21
WRITTEN FOR THE ABBEvILLE BANNER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, &c.

WRITTEN FOR THE ABBEvILLE BANNER
ALCOHOL,-TE TEMPERANCE. sc.
l, is not Mr.. Editor, from the scarcity
oflawyers in the land, nor even in this little
village, that we propose to offer few re-
Elections in relation to what we consider to
be the law on the subject of vending alcohol;
= but rather in consequence ofthc gross incon-
sistency, and the Assurances Of the positions
often assumed relative to the question, by
men who sometimes attempt to instruct the
people on the subject
We all have natural rights: this IS the
sum and substance as TO the rights of man-
and government is douud to provide for, and
to sustain these rights cquallyto all, so long
as they do not infringe upon the rights and
the general good of society, as whole.
Hence, in state of nature, or underline
social compact, either A. has the right to
make, sell, give or drink alcohol, and unless
this can be shown to be an Infringement
upon the rights of others, so far as he is con-
ccrncd, he is not at all responsible for any
ofthe evils that may arise frcn, the inordna,e
use of the drug-:here is no evil in the drug
itself but there may great evil arise from
the undue use of it. One individual has no
right, under any circumstances whatc yer,
to force ano.l,oI " urilIk di.vilv,---.'.'.
would be what might be called an assault,
and here the one so assaulted has the right
by nature to repell It, and vice versa.
Have we the right then to sell or dispose
OF our grain in any way we may think pro-
per? If so we have the right to make al
coho of the same to drink, and to sell it, to
any who may be disposed to buy, and he
who uses it to the hurt or detriment Of others
is alone responsible; and not he who made,
sold, or gave It, Indeed this view of the
subject has ever been held so true that if a
man is guilty Of murder, or any other crime,
whilst under the binding influence of alco-
hol, there is no allowance or mitigation, in
fixing the penalty Of the law, because of in
toxication He is alone and equally as re-
sponsible as if he never saw or tasted alcohol.
Whv? Because he has knowingly and
voluntarily used the drug to an excess, and
if that e1cess, be the cause of the crime he
must submit to the consequences, and not
he who has made, sold, or given it. The
same holds equally good as regards the per-
petration ofony crime whatever; drunkencs'
is no excuse, unless man be made so by
being funneled," which is an assault ant
may and ought to be repelled. In socia
capacity, all men have an equal privilege
to exercise their natural rights, and the tru
object and intent of government and law i
and should be, 10 sustain and protect thos
rights, equallyt to all, and to affix penal,ie
for the correction and restraining of all wh
may be disposed 10 use them to the injury
others
Before the law took notice Of the man
evils resulting from hpling shops &c. each ar
every man had the right to sell alcoh
withoutrestraint or taxation. Hence it w
thought expedient to regulate the traffic
certain restrictions, not only for the gener
good of society but also for revenue purp
ses. AS / understand the law, it is no.
& and has been, long before our existence a:
State, unlawful for, any one, witho
license, "ro sell any wine. cider, brand
yum, punch, spiri,uous liquors, or any stro