The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-06-07
Of chC CCissra!
Committees.
TO THE PEorLr OF SOUTH CAROL

TO THE PEorLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
tcilom Citizens {: The Central Commit
tee appointed by The Convention ol citizens
opposed to the liquor traffic, beg leave to
address you, and most respectfully TO ask
your aid IN carrying out the .RstgAay, OF
the Convention.
We desire the entire supprcSs40aiSs'' the
liquor traffic, but yet we do not desire even
this great and beneficial rcu.tn against
your will. We hope your undu usianllngs
either have been or VIII be convinced OF
the enormtics Of the traffic and The ncccs
sty Of ending ii.
Before entering on our main purpose
we desire to say, that wien we sp, ak OF
ending the traffic, we do not wish to acc
compish ,ha, by any violent or injurious
means, even to the dealers themselves
Our proposition is To pass law dc, Iarlnr
the retail traffic in intoxicating drink un-
lawful, and forthwith TO prohibit it by the
most stringent provisions. The manulac.
ture OF the article we would also prohibit
in the same way. The sale Of inloX;cat-
ing drinks. as beverage, from and after
some reasonable time, we would by law
forever abolish and prohibit. But these
great refof:ns We do not ask for until your
will is ascertainGd. We ask Tor Tie PASS
age Of a law whereby the irccncn OF the
State, entitled to vote, shall, at the polls,
say whether they desire the enactment Of
prohibi,ory law!
It. cannot surely be necessary IN detail
10 state the evils oi the sale o! intoxicating
drink. They have been present to every
man, woman, and child, in this State lur
In last I,tr 4
are as apparent as the light OF Il noon-day' :
sun can make objects. The sale OF ntuxi-
eating drink is the parent of bloody uur-
defs wflc!I !:sve occurred, and which are
even now so shamclulIy frequent. 1t has
produced, locs produce, and will produce.
ninc-lcnths Of all the crimes OF South Car
olIna. 1t is the parent OF poverty; II Cause;
the loss OF character; it destroys activity,
energy, industry, and hope, and fills our
country with miserable, drunken loliers.--
1t sqnanders the millions OF wealth and
income which otherwise might be appro.
pfiatcd to benevolcncc, educallon, and
( improvement. The money spent III ri
as0tous firing would build all tie railroads
contemplated or desired in South Carolina;
would cndow and support colleges and
academies ID every part Of tie Stnic: and
would crown every SEE tion with HE results
OF genius and art. The sale Of inoyica,.
ing drinks is the cause of the fearful
increase of insanity! 1t is The drcad
tyraLt which crushes all the affections q
the heart; destroys all the charms O.
"hoUlc, s,ccet hoMc;' breaks the ties @
wife and children; and turns the hus
band and father into the brutal lyran,
hated and feared IL ruins The Stare! A
the places where into. ica,ing drink is sol,
he learns to steal his masters goods, t,
hate him, and finally 10 put bin 20 dcalh
An awful picture has thus Eean has,iI,
sketched. DO you desire to hang il up il
your own homes, and say this is thing t,
be loved? No. We are sure yol vii
say take it away. Let The original no lon
ger be found in South Carolina.
How can it he done! Prohibit The man
u'acturo and sale as beverage? |, can
DC done' Is the domaeose'. objection The
same objection was urged when Your flln
ers Of '76 were about breaking their fe,
ters on the head 'of their tyrant mother
Great Britain. Trusting in the Lord 0
Hosts. the patriots Of '76 entered on ,thc