Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-02-23

iooShe oho oieo W pioSC Aoh io'Soo VI 0ho
fair in all the land. And should ever be
called to join in the conflicts of war, my
country's glory, and my lady's love, would
be the greatest incentives to exertlon, and
in their defence would death be welcome,
and I would pray that my last look might
be raised to our country's flag and last kiss
might be pressed upon my'lady's glove.
s,,E., Te BE CONTINUED si2a<,.
t...... F.
Written for the YorkviIle Enquirer
TEMPERANCE.
DIsCoURAGEMENT GRoUNDLEss. -
But properly to appreciate the progress
made in this reform, you must consider the
character of, the public laborers in this
cause, and the circumstances under which
they labor. Here we may find another
reason why it is often slow in its onward
course, yet furnishing no just ground for
Encouragement. To carry forward this
work.. we have no order of men educated,
and set apart exclusively, as in law, medi.
cine and theology. In other departments
of labor, men are prepared by previous
course of training, for their field of labor.
Others judge of their fitness after examina-
tion and trial, and the result is, they labor
efficiently. Not so in this cause. The la.
borers are from every class, from all profess
sious and from every department Of labor.
Each of these is sole judge of his capacity
for the work-of his ability to teach. The
result is, while some are workmen that need
not to be ashamed, and of whom the
friends of temperance may well be proud,
yet there will, of necessity, be some who
are not the men to build up any cause,
where intelligence, logic or eloquence, is
necessary. One is ignorant, and says
things that are not true. Another is indis-
Greet, and utters truths; out of time and out
of place, which only tends,to increase pref
udice and stir up enmity. There is anoth-
er cass-meu of one idea, who cannot see
how any subject can be properly discussed
without, at the same time, vindicating- our
Peculiar Institution .demagogism; or, if
at the North, setting forth in glowing COL
ors the piety of abolitionism and the sin Of
'man. .stealingP In the legislative hall, on
our national birthday, before q literary so.
ciety, or female college, or in sermon,
it is all the same. This one idea, being on
the surface, is brought out prominently, to
the disgust of all. Occasionally, one of a
similar class is found advocating the cause
of temperance one who cannot be tied
down to the subject of Total Abstinence,
or the propriety of banishing intoxicating
drinks from society; but must discuss the
state, the church, the use of wine in com.
muuion, or some subject not necessarily al.
lied to the temperance cause-thus diver.
ting attention, dividing our energies and
protracting the conflict And these are
hindrances which, in the present state of
things, we may expect, and which. cannot
be avoided. They should. cause no dis
couragement. =
But this is not all. Men who labor in
this cause, do not make it their exclusive
business. They 60 at their own charges.
They work at intervals. Scraps of time ia.
ken from some regular vocation-crumbs
which fall>from table of ordinary and daily
returning duties, are gathered up and given
to this cause. Very often be goes to work,
conscious that he is creating difficulties for
himself in some other sphere of duty. But
this is the best that can be done, under
present circumstances. In view of all the
disadvantages from the character of the Ia
bors, it is surprising that so much has been
done in so short time.
If we could have, as we ought, even in
part, the aid of the learned professions and
Of influential men in high places, the cause
of temperance would move onward with ra.
pidity. 1t is matter of regret that they do
not all labor with US. 1t is great him
drance. Until the teachers of morality
and religion, the conservators of our health,
the defenders of our rights and the makers
of our laws, all unite with us, this reform.
cannot be complete. Why they do not, is
for each one to say. 1t is not because this
is not an important work; nor that it would
not be, if completed, greatly beneficial to
and to the community at large. |
Nor is it because there can be any doubt
about the efficacy of the means proposed as
a remedy. Many are for this cause in
words, but against it in deeds. They say,
sbe ye warmed and clothed, but give moth
ing The minds of some are strangely con-
,tructed, and are not in their movements
under the influence of ordinary laws. They
can see that the owner is responsible for the
conduct of his dog, and he must pay for the
sheep which be kills; but cannot see that
any person is responsible when citizen is
murdered by strong drink. An innocent
wife and helpless children may be robbed
Of their property, of their good name, and
even of their natural protector, and all is
right! But thievish dog must not 60 at
arge, or else the curse of the State will be
aid upon him as well as bis master. But
he pedlar of poison may go free, provided
1e deals it out in large doses! And that
he poor may be accommodated, and for a
consideration, they give license for retail,
md thus the chivalrous State of South Car
lima, by her legislation, becomes partner
n the vile traffic in liquid poison! Is it
possible that the voters of South Carolina
equire this at the hands Of their represeu- /,
atives? Surely not If they do, it is
ime for all honest and sober men to retire
o private life, where they can preserve
and allow such constituency
o be represented by men after their own