The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-15
RErORT OF RuE COMMITTEE.

Bro. Warren, from the committee to
whom was referred tho Quarterly Report
! Of the G. w. p, submitted the following
as the report of that Committee
The Committee to whom was referred
the Report Of the G. w. p, beg leave res
pcctfulIy to Report.
We have had the several matters con-
tained in the excellent report Of the Grand
Worthy Patriarch under consideration
The first important feature therein, clain-
ing the attention Of this Grand Division,
and some expression Of its opinion, is the
suggestion relating to an effort being
made during the present year to procure
the assembling Of a Convention to be COM
posed Of all the friends of Temperance,
embracing not only every order and Or
ganization, but even, if possible, those who
are not pledged to total abstinence, but
who see and feel the great and growing
12hlS uA, vintfmpsrance, and the means
perpetuate this evil in our land.
! The present position Of the friends OF
Temperance calls for some definite and
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 dis;
appointed We hope not. We believe
it is proper that this Grand Division should
give further evidence of its willingness
an anxiety to cooperate heartily with
those who are willing 10 engage in any
enterprise which looks to the suppression
of mtcmperancc, and the furtherance of
the object for which we arc united. The
present retail system, Your committee re-
gard us not only radically wrong, hut as
absolutely the cause of more, if not all, the
mischief which is being done in our State.
This system is not only directly in the
way Of the success of our principles, but
of the peace and well-being OF society in
gencral--an unjust and oppressive one,
which calls for the reprobation Of every
good citizen, whether an avowed temper.
an e man or not.
Your committee deem it unnecessary
TO enlarge here. 1t must be truth as
| clear as n sunbeam to every unprejddiccd
and candid mind, that the present license.
laws Of South Carolina arc in effect privi--
leges to crimc--a cloak for perjury and
the grossest corruption, to the base and
designing who are ever to be found ready
| to deal out the poisson without regard to,
sex, color or condtion-injuriou alike To-
health, happiness and property.
Your committee deem it highly inpor-.
tant that the owners Of slaves should be
enlisted in this matter-let this important
interest in our State be largely represented
in nur y,oec V'Io ..oIt,
property should be equally cared for; ev-
cry 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 tc the experience Of slave
owners. to say whether or not they are
willing that men should be allowed 70 sci.
any commodity to their slaves which
would deteriorate from their value, and
render them even worse than useless
Such is the effect of the traffic in ardent.
spirits with slaves; and no apprcciating@
! right minded slave owner is willing to sub
nit any longer to these outragcs. It
must be manifest TO every mind, not will
| lngIy ignorant, that there is absolute ne
ccssity for change in the present liquor
laws Of this State. Almost any change
would be preferable. We cannot be in
jured moro than we have been. or than
We shall be, il matters remain where they,
! arc.
Tho question paramount to all ashers
Just now is, How is ihis change TO DC eff
fcctedi Your committee beiievc. that IN
ACCORDANCE with the suggestion Of tho G..
W..P., that n committee onght to be ap-.
pointed by this Grand Division 70 ccftss-
pond will, other Temperance organizations
IN the State. and Hith persons Of intelIi.
cence. patriotism and christian bcnevo-
Hence, to unite and act in concert with tho
I friends Of temperance in the diffusion oe
temperaco truth Throughout The cosnanu-
j niiys That this committee, resepfipe ihs,
views and feelings of slsis GRIND Dirisioa,
urge upon AL organizations and 5;tnds ef.
te,npefapec, thu is6porfkpco 81 nsese
! meeting or eonventiono a. HE f,tople oftEe
4 State -frieuds Of morals and good order.