The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-09
tn. EVILS OF 1ntemporance.

"a meuorlal ID In clfculatlOnin Savan.
nah. and will be presented to the Geor-
gia Legislature. when il meets in Janu-
ary, asking of it such Legislation as may
tend to check and diminish the sore
vice and disease Of drunkenness. It is
not expected that the evil can be wholly
eradicated, but it is hoped that it may
be materially reduced By wise laws.
This is the monster crime and wicked
ness of the times. Bad as are the con.
sequences OF bad government, and the
dishonesty OF officials, the evil effects of
intemperanoe surpass them in number
and enormity. They take effaot mainly
on the most helpless and dependent
portion OF sooiety-on tender children
and defenceless women. Something to
restrain and regulate this dangerous on.
petite ought to be resorted to, but it is
not easy to eradicate it. Sumptuary
laws are odious in themselves, and the
experience of those Northern States,
Maine, Massachusetts and others, where
they are in force, does not recommend
them to our adoption. At the same
time the injuries to society and families,
the degradation in many cases of genius
and learning. and the blight and over
throw, through this wretched habit of
Indulgence in alcoholic stimulunts, of
character, standing and usefulness, are
sad results to contemplate evils
which loudly call for remedy. Our va
rlous temperance organizations. which
have for their object the restraint of this
vile habit, are engaged in heavenly
work, and should be encouraged to por-
severe, and every good citizen ought to
set his face like flint against the odious
indulgence. which too often blasts man.
hood, and makes the home whore gentle
women, Goods last best gift to man"
and her innocent little ones should dwell
in sweet security, very hell on earth.
Indeed, it too often robs them of home
comforts entirely.
The responsibility which the habitual
drnnkard incurs is frightful. We pity
the man who deliberately forfeits Gods
blessing and mans approval, in subject
ing himself and all in any way depend
ent on him to the tortures which must
follow, when this vice has completely
mastered him. "How great virtue Is
temperance. says Milton. show much of
moment through the whole life of man?
Yet God commits the managing SO great
trust, without particular law or pre-
scription. wholly to the demeanor of
every grown man." But if grown men
should rightly appreciate the solemnity
OF tho trusts committed to them, and
Justly consider the dignity of their being,
intemperance and it's horrors would ra-
pidly diminish.
We copy below, from the Savannah
memorial, some interesting extracts.
They furnish food for thought. The
scheme of legislation is not one that wo
can wholly approve. But of one thing
nc are confident. There ia no evil so
great that there may not be found some
corrective or remedy for it. The ques-
ton should be pondered how to apply
this most effectively in the matter be-
fore us. 1t is worthy of the best efforts
of tho highest minds:
sat present, the Wholesale system of
license to sell liquor permits the invita-.
ton to indulge in the refreshme of
stimulants SO literally that even the
strong willed man cannot always resist
it. and to which tho weak aud ignorant
readily rcoede. The glitterug attractions
OF bar-rooms, with the seductive induce.
ments to indulge, meet the eye and
tempt the palate in numbers along our
thoroughfares. How can weak human
nature resist the temptation go common.
ly presented to it? Is not the State.
protesting to be Christian, bonnd to
guard the morals and the health of the
PsoPls. aca TO protect pcs!e.!.y s-oa,
the injurious results of vicious self.in.
dulgence2
''The calendar OF crime-murtler.
manslaughtsr, assault, robbery, public
wrongs and domestic infelicity.is based
upon the influence of whiskey and other
alcoholic beverages; and is not the State
bovnd. morally and materially, to shield
he. children from such degradations
and from their fatal and ruinous conse.