The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-05-29

publication of new numbers.
. 1t will thus be seen that we are advancing
slowlysbut. steadily inathis good work But I
confess that comparison Of onr limited opera
tions with tue powerful instrulnentalities employ.
ed in some of the Northern States where Pro.
hibitory liquor laws have been enacted, is well
calculated to make US ashamed of our inactivity
and the feeble support weahaye given cause
which we all profess to have somuch at hesrt.
The New-Yofk State Temperance Society re.
ports that from June 1854 to January following
upwards of 100000 Temperance Tracts were
published and distributed: Other Temperance
publications on q .correspondingy large scale
were sown broadcast in. the State-and $l2,.
500 in money were expended during tue same
time. These are the principal operations Of but
one Temperance organization in that great State
Besides the Prohibitionist which may be eregard-
ed as national paper, there are some ten o.
twelve other Newspapers in the Empire State
almost exclusively devoted to the. Temperance
cause No wonder then that our Northern sis.
ter States are being so rapidly revolutionized on
the subject of Prohibitory liquor laws, whep
such powerful Influences are brought to bear on
public sentiment. Now, compare the work Of
one single State which have selected for d.
ample, with what We are doing in South CmG
ma. We have but one single Newspaper IN tls
State exclusively or principally devoted 70 tbs
advocacy Of our principles and that fear is but
feebly supportet)o A few thousand Tracts have
been published and distributed, and ANAL
amount of money-too little to be mentioned---
has been contributed.
T,oeo ,l,o tbo mol oun, o,r o.
ri6ces for Temperance in South Carohnatbe
present year, and | submit that it would be un.
reasonable to expect speedy or powerful results
from the means employed.
l trust it will not be understood that take
any pleasure in making this humliating state,
ment-nor is it done in ar inyidious OF com.
planning spirit-but simply to indicate the .ex;
treme improbability of making much progress
in the great work before us in our day, without
greater exertions and more liberaGty. - -
1t would be glorious achievement for US to
Danish from our beloved old Commonwealth .
traffic which the most enlightened States Of the
American Union have already outlawed. It
can certainly be regarded no longer as a doubt.
full experiment. when at leasta dozen States have
after thorough discussion adopted prohibitory
liquor laws. But the prejudices, appetite, and
interests that usually combine to oppose this
great movement are entirely too formidable 70
be successfully encountered by our present forces
and means at command and yet confess that
the shouts of victory, echoiug from State to
State as one after another bears down all oppo.
sition, and sweeps away the staggering Regi.
ments of King Alcohol, make me feel eager gtoi
the contest. SIS
The times appear to me propitious for action.
all the sneers, ridicule and desperate opposition
of the liquor interests, Prohibition is triumphant
In the politics of the day, we hear great
deal about "progress," " manifest destiny" and
"old fogyism." The terms are well understood
to characterize certain parties in this country
whose respective peculiarities are to be fast and
slow.
The great English Philosopher John Locke
happily contrasted these extremes nearly two
centuries ago: ,'.-
"Some will not admit an opinion, not author.
lied by men Of old, who were then all giants
in knowledge. Nothing is to be- put into the
treasury Of truth or knowledge which has not
the stamp of Greece or Rome upon it; aid
since their days will scarcely allow that men
have been able to see, think, or write" -
"Others with like extravagancy contemn all
that the ancients have left us, and being taken
with modern inventions and discoveries--lay BY
all that went before, as if whatever IS called old
must have the decay of time upon it-and truth
too were liable to mould and rottenness"
Perhaps a medium between the two extremes
would be the aisest and best policy. The ,pur
and bit are both necessary. S.'
But, regarding South Carolina as having a
decided proclivity to "old fogyism" it's Ger.
tainly safe to recommend progress where the
I" stand still" policy Is but too apparent.
Temperance men in the State are now
generally agreed in the opinion that prohbitory
legislation is necessary to secure to our cause
"past conquests and future success" -
Moral suasion has been HERETOFORE successfully
employed, and will still continue to performtits
appropriate Office of persuading men TO sabstain
from drinking intoxicating beverages. - *
But, to the entire crew of reckless vagabond
grogshop and itinerant liquor venders; who
infest and curse the land, it is high lime for the
law to speak in majesty. -
In the name Of common sense and decescy
does this infamous traffic deserve to be coun.
tenanced-nay, lieensed--encowraged BY our
laws9 Have the good people of South Carolina
discovered such merits and advantages in this
traffic, as to make opposition to tim any form
unpopular And is it true that windy dsnago.
gues actually take the stumpin patriotic'defense
and support of our present gsogshop sys-
tenn? -. 81
In the great variety of political platforms in
this country, will South Caro!inians consent to-
stand on Liquor playwme
Seriously, my brethren, is is time for us to
speak. out on this question.