The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-07
ILLICIT wHlsKEY TRAFFIC.
An Appeal to the Citizens Of Anderson
County from the Sons Of Temperance.

At a recent meeting of Hopewell Division,
No. 05, Sons of Temperance, the following
address to the citizens of Anderson County
was adopted, and forwarded to us for publi-
cation. We commend it to the considera-
ton of our readers:
To The Citizens Of anderson County:
The great aim and object of tho Sons Of
Temperance is to annhilate the sale and
use as beverage, of all intoxicating liquors,
whether malt or spirituous and to the ac-
complshment of this end we feel in duty
bound to use every available means Trust
ing that this avowai of our mission is a
sufficient explanation for the presentation
of this address to the citizens of this County.
we desire to call the public attention to tile
fact that there is in Anderson County Mt the
present time persons who are, without the
authority or sanction of Law, travelling in
wagons through the country retailing spiri-
tuous liquors to our citizens, which practice
is having n very baleful influence, and if
it is allowed to be continued there is no
calculating the great injury our people will
sustain from it. 1t is not only o violation
of the laws of our country, but it is work
ing great injury to the morals of society;
it Is fast demoralizing all classes of our peo.
pie; it is great hindrance to the develop
ment of the agricultural resources OF the
County; it affects seriously the educational
interest of the white as well as the colored
race; it destroys the peace and quiet of the
sections of country in which it prevails,
aud this is in nearly every portion OF our
County; it causes bloodshcd and crime.
which brings with it additional expense to
our people; in o word, 1t is the most prolific
source OF trouble with which we are now
afflicted, and unless it can be checked by
some means or other will assuredly bring
about condition of affairs from which our
County will not soon recover. Then, if
such q danger is imminent, Is it not the
duty of every citizen of Anderson County,
male and female, to exert every effort in
their power to put down this illegal and
immoral business? How is this to be ac-
complished? 1t is said these persons can
not be detected by the officers of the law,
but this is IN assertion that cannot be estub-
lished, as very little effort has been made
to oyertake and bring them to justice. But
our people have in their power more effec-
tual and powerful means than the law, if
properly used, and it is this power that we
desire to appeal to our citizens to exercise.
They can by ceasing to patronize and en-
courage them render their business unprof-
liable, and rs soon as. this is done it will
certainly be abandoned. Their support de-
pends solely upon the patronage of our
country people, and it is by them, too, that
the great evil is most seriously felt, and it
depends entirely upon them whether or
not these persons a1e to be further encour-
aged In perpetuating and increasing the bad
influences ard results Of this immoral and
pernicious traffic. Certainly, our people are
not SO blind to their interests orI well-being,
and to the happiness and prosperity of flu
ture generations, as not to see the inevitable
result of this business, if allowed to con-
tinue. Do not the fathers see and fear the
bad influences with which it surrounds their
sons? VIII they not, then, for the benefit
and weil.being of society, use their influ-
ence agninst it? We appeal to the noble
women-the mothers, wives, daughters and
sisteis-to exert their every effort against
the further encouragement of. this illicit
traffic. They have an influence superior to
that of all Others if judiciously used. Is
this not cause in which !. can, with pro-
priety be exercised? May We not call upon
the ministers of the Gospel to proclaim
against it, and do all In their power fn mt
down the evil? i il mcat certainly fWo-ls-
ing an. injury to the cause of christianity !;
Its influence is directly opposed to that Of
the church. and not unfrequently brings re-
proach upon the great cause and principles
it represents. The sin of intemperance is
condemned by the Bible, and shall not the
ministers OF the Gospel 1i5o aii tho means In
their power to enlist the cC.uIr5rotion and
assistance of their respective churches in
putting it down. We appeal to ell classes
and conditions of society to use its influence
against it, for its peace, weil.being and
moral influence demands il. .ite
Weare satisfied that IL onr people would
reflect for n moment upon the untold injury
they are sustaining daily from liiis illicit
traffic, they would not hesitate to Withdraw
their patronage and support. Could the,,
realize the fact that the pcace of cornHiIini-
ties snd families are destroyed, agriculture,
made unpFofitable, and the extent Of other
evils arising. from it, they would then ac-
knowledge the necessity for its suppression.
Nothing but evil can eyer come OF it, and
why should civilized people coantenance
and encourage any business that Is prodnc-
tive only of evilfi We again appeal to all
the citizen of Anderson County TO mid us In
our euorts TO put down the traffic, If not by
connecting themselves with our orier then
by setting an example of sohriety, and BY
misunderstanding and discouraging any
further patronage of these w,.I1key pesid dlers.
1t would be great victory for society, and
would conduce to the peace and prosperity
of the County. 1t is for tho good of our
fellow-crcatures that we are laboring, and
In proportion to their assistance and encour-
aygemeat will onr efforts be besuccessful. In
the accomplishment of tho end in question
we need your assistance We ask It. Shall
we have it?. iFf ofSt lsti ,8I'R
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