The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-06-07
Written For The Watchman.]
m TIE NJ PER A n CE,

aracst, and unwearied cfiors, on th'
ert of the friends of temperance as The
resent. The reckless, bloody spiri
hich Intemperancc has assumed in the
idst of the troubles which surround
), is truly alarming But al few weeks
10 an inofensive negro was sho
hrough by young man of our village
tho was iu state Of intoxicatiou, auc
Tho, wheu sober, is quiet aud peaceblc
: nd few weeks ago our village was
brown into the utmost confusion and
xcitemeDt by homicide Of mos;
distressing character, perpetrated by
20 young men on the evening before
blamed by strong drink. The women
xcitcd and alarmed, kept in doors, aud
be men, armed with revolvers, turned
ut to protect themselves and families
nd religious services in the sanctuary
Eere entirely suspended the whole sab
|Ath day The victim was a colored
ban, By the uame of Henry Nash, who
al given off.uce by some unguardcd
expressions. He was shot number Of
ines and his body horribly mutilaled by
be balls The young men who com-
nitted the rash act were both respecta-
ly aud extensively related in this
ouutry, and would not have done so
but for the iufamed condition of their
binds from drink.
"Tley were red bot with drinking"
Theu the whole community liked to
have been involved in the affair by twc
ruukeu negroes, who attempted, under
he pretext Of an arrest, and without
authority, to get possession Of the per
ion Of Col. BENZ iIerndOn, that they
night kill him, by way Of iudemuica-
zion and revenge for the killing OF Nash.
But for the forbearauce of the whites,
huder the most Calling taunts and in
bults, and the good behavior Of the grea;
body of the colored people, there would
nave been many lives lost.
g Prudence, when REBEL Gus appetite:
lIai rai>'d temptations. with ineir baucr.c,
As,auir.ns reA>~n, then did inierpose,
And keep II s.:e.'
Yet strange to say, in temperance i.
Sustained by the highest grades Of our
society. Bat sort time ago "hot
supper" was given BY the ladies aud
gentlemen of our village, FOR the purpose
Of raising money for some good purpose
at which large quantity Of wine was
sold, against law aud propriety, aud
among the men who bought and drank,
boYs only ten years Of age, went up
paid their money, aud swiycd Of thcil
glass.
"0l thou Invisible spiri, of vine.
II thou hast name to be known hv. le
Us call thee devil SHAkS.
Who wonders, urder such crcum
stances, wh.A fair woman leuds the
xitchery other charms, aud stakes hel
virtue and piety in immediate conuec-
tiou with this unmltigated curse, that it
should assume such alarming proper
tionS. Who wonders, when the vino
is sowu, the whiriwind should be
reapcd. Who wonders, that patriotism
SO called, staggering drunk through the
land: is armed with revolvers, and ready
to blow out the brains Of every one who
happens to express au opposite opinion
Who wonders, that the two races, both
reeling under the influence Of liquor
should stand with pistols drawn ready
to exterminate each other The only
wonder is, that with as much drinking
as We have, so few are killed. Lei
Patriotism, SO called, cease to drink
throw away its pistols, go to work, and
develop the resources Of the country
With less drinking, aud pra;ing, aud
more work, our difficulties will subside
harmony ensue, and the horrid flow o.
blood which stains our land in the
days of peace, will cease.
Temperance men Of this country, yor
who but a few years ago achieved such
glorious victories, who banished The
decanter and winc-glass from the side.
board, parlor, and dinner table, shut W
so many grog shops in the towns an(
villages of our State, reformed so man.
abandoned druukards, and regenera;et
public sentiment on this subject, bav'
you given up the cause in hopeless
despair? Are you willing that tn,
whole country 20 to ruin and you d.
nothing to save ity Once more grid OF
your aruor, and fall into ranks! Mingl'
your prayers with your efforts. LIE
your voice, loud and clear, be heart
amidst the raging storm, invoking the
aid of Him, who speaks and there is I
great calm, aud, with His iuterpositiou
what you have done you can do again