Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-02-16
m1rnrnrp ArcE f.ouERNaR.

It will be remembered that Governor G1sT in
his Annual Message to the Legislature, at its last
session, recommended such tax on stills as
would amount to prohibition, or as would at
least produce an income sufficient to support the
paupers they manufacture. At the November
meeting of the Sons of Temperance Of this State,
Col. W. G. BEATTY, the present G.. W. P, Maj. b.
D. TOWNSEND and DR.. JOHN MAY, were appointed
a committee to express to the Governor, the en-
dorsement and appreciation, by that body, Of the
sentiments of his message in relation TO temper
ance.- We have received through the Benefits
vile Son, the letter of these gentlemen and
Gov. G1sT's reply.
Our space will not permit US to copy the let
ter of the Committee. In an able manner they
speak of alcohol as poison, and the duty of
legislation to withstand its evil influence. We
give the Governors short but eloquent reply in
full:
UNION C. H., s. c., Jan. Goth, 1860.
Gentlemen: Your very kind and compliment
tary letter, dated the 22nd December, did not
reach me until to-day, in consequence Of being
directed to Cross Keys, an Office remote from my
residence, and to which never send for letters.
It is at all times agreeable to public officer to re-
ceive the plaudits of his fellow citizens, from any
part of the State; it nerves his arm in the dis
charge of duty, and enables him to overcome the
many obstacles that beset his path but the COM
pliment is much enhanced, when it comes from
veterans in the cause of Temperance, whose
greatest earthly ambition is to preserve from de-
gradation and ruin the slaves of Alcohol; to re.
store to the broken hearted wife, her husband
rescued from fate worse than sb;pwreck, and
to dry the tears of all afflicted mother, by res
toring her son with brain maddened by intem-
perance, to usefulnes and honor.
Ia mere raw recruit in the cause-have
the least claims to your commentator, how much
more do you deserve the lasting gratitude of
every patriot and Christian, for your unfalter-
ing advocacy of the noble cause of temperance !;
when nothing was to be gained but tie proud con-
sciousness Of having discharged sacred duty
to your fellow men.
Ihave lately witnessed heart-rending case
in my immediate neighborhood, of young man,
with the brightest prospects, lost and ruined
temporarily and fear eternally, by the accursed
poison. He was kind and amiabie-bcloved by
all; with large estate, and so far as could
judge with everything else to make him useful,
respected and happy, but in the evil hour and
may it be forever accursed ;he became moder-
ate drinker-then drunkard, and ended his ca
reer by suicide. Il. -
When | saw him on his bier-a lifeess bloody
corpse-cut off in the bloom of youth by his own
hand. after being bereft ofreason by strong drink;
fels disposed to declare eternal emnity toevery
one that directly or indirectly encouraged the
use of ardent spirits, and while am the execu-
tive of the State, the retailer shall receive no
mercy at my hands.
Be pleased to convey to the Grand Division,
of which you are the organ, my sincere thanks
for their warm and hearty approval Of my fee
BILE efforts to arrest the progress of intemper-
ance, and assure them, it is most highly appre-
ciated.
For yourselves, individually, accept my best
wishes for your prosperity and happiness.
With great Respect, I am
Yours, &c.,
VIM. H. GIST.