The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-06-07

the Grand Worthy Patriarch un-
der consideration. The first impor-
tant feature therein, claiming the at.
tention of this Grand Division, and
some expression of it's opinion, is the
suggestion relating to an effort be.
ing made during the present year to
procure the assembling Of Con.
venticn to be composed of all the
friends Of Temperance, embracing
not only every order and crganiza-
ton, but even, if possible, those who
are not pledged to total abstinence,
but who see and feel the great and
growing evils of intcmperance, and
the means which are legally in use to
increase and perpetuate this evil in
our land.
The present position Of the friends
of Temperance calls for some definite
aud vigorous action. 1t is necessary
that something should be done. The
people in the State friendly to our
cause expect us to do something. Shall
they be disappointed? We hope not.
We believe it is proper that this
Grand Division should give further
evidence Of it willingness and anxiety
to cooperate heartily with those who
are willing to engage in any enterprise
which looks to the suppression of in
temperance, and the furthcrance of the
object for which We are united. The
present retail system, your committee
regard as not only radically wrong, but
as absolutely the cause of more, If
not all, the mischief which is be-
ing done in our State. This system is
not only directly in the way of the
success Of our principles, but OF
the peace and wcllbeing of society in
gencral-an unjust and oppressive
one, which calls for the reprobation of
every good citizen, whether al avow-
cd temperance man or not.
Your committee deem it unncces-
sary TO enlarge here. 1t must be
Il truth as clear rs a sunbeam to ev-
cry unprejudiced and candid mind, that
the present license laws ofSou,h Caro-
lima are in effect privileges to crime
a, cloak for perjury and the grossest
corruption, to the base and designing
who are ever to be found ready to
deal out the poison without regard
to sex, color or condition-injurious
alike to health, happiness and property
Your committee deem it highly inn
portart that the owners ofslavcs should
be enlisted in this matter-let this
important interest in our State be
largely represented in our mass Con.
vcntion. The rights of property should
be equally cared for; every planter and
slave owner is largely concerned in
this matter; and surely no man
will remain willingly Indifferent to
his own interest and happiness. We
need only appeal to the experience of
slave owners, to say whether or not
they are willing that men should be
allowed to sell any commodity to their
slaves which would dctcriorate from
their value, and render them ev.
ell worse than useless. Such is the cf
feet of the traffic in ardent spirits with
slaves; and no apprcciating, right min
ded slave owner is willing to sub,
NIT any longer 10 these outrages. II
must be manifest to every mind, no,
willingly ignorant, that there is
absolute necessity for change in the
present liquor laws Of this State. AL
most any change would be preferable
We cannot be injured more than VIC
have been. or than we shall be, il
matters remain where they are.
The question paramount to all 9th
ers just now is, How is this change tc
be effcctcd!-Your committee be.
lieve, that in accordance with tho
suggestion of the g. w. p, that u com
mittee ought to be appointed by thi.
Grand Division to correspond witt
other Temperance organizations in tn,
State, and with persons of intelligence
patriotism and christian bcncv"Icncc
to unite and act in concert with tn,
friends oftcmperancc in the diffusion o
temperance truth throughout the com
munity. That this committee, repre-
sonting the views and feelings of thi.
Grand Division, urge upon all organi
cations and friends of temperance, tn,
Importance of u mass meeting or con
vcntion of the people Of the State
friends of morals and good ordcr,--tt
be held during the present year. a
such time and place rs may be deem
cd most practicable and advantageous
That this committee have power tc
draw on the Treasury Of the Crane
division for such necessary funds as
may be incidently required in tn,
prosecution of their efforts. This sub
jcct suggest itself to your committe,
as one of vast importancc-whicl
addresses itself to the heart and inter
est OF every man who has spark O
genuine patriotism in his bosom. Il
is not work to be confined alone t.
the Sons or Rechabites, or any 9th
or organized body of Temperance peo
pie, but work in which tho mos
enlarged philanthropy and christia,
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