The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-07
The Temperance Column
Petition to the Legislature Praying
Them to Enact q Prohibitory Law
Similar to that Known as
1.-The Maine Law.

To The Honorable the Senate ana d01e o Rep.
resentatires Of South Cnyottna.
The undersigned citizens Of South Carolina,
respectfully SLOW TO your honorable bodies,
that the use OF alcoholic liquors as o beverage
has o direct q tendency to destroy domestic
happiness, corrupt society, encourage crime,
and drag men down to poverty, paupcrism,
degradation and ruin. That this terrible evil
prevails to q fearful extent In this State. That
It's direct influence upon those are al
dicted to Its use, Is but Q mail part of.the
evil resulting from II. Thai u entails untold
loss and suffering ON helpless women and
their rightful guardian and protector from 9
curse, which they IRE powerless TO avert, and
for which they are In no way responsible, TO
say nothing VI the wrongs suffered by. those
Influence. That your petitioners have had
recourse TO every conceivable remedy within
their power, Moral, Social and Religious, and
are utterly unable to suppress or check 1t.
tofore enacted, are %unavniling. That such re.
strictiuns while In effect publicly ack nowl-
edging q necessity for its suppression, 40 act
unlly license its commission. with an increase
the dignity Of o legitimate business. Your
petitioners therefore, earnestly desire your
Honorable bodies, to enact a Prohibitory Law,
that no person shall be allowed, ct any time,
to give, manufacture, or sell, by himself bis
any soirituous or Intoxicating liquors, or any
mixed LIQUORS, q part OF whichis intoxicating
except by an agent or agents appointed. by
the State, to sell for medical or mechanical
purposes. which agent shall be- Q salaried Of
a Prohibitory Law Is the only means OF com.
passing this desolating evil, the existence OF
which creates an emergency, which calls 70.
the enacting Of such prohibition, as the only
remedy commensurate with its existence, or
that can at all compass II. n your petition.
ers will ever pray. 7f
The above petition was endorsed BY the
South Carolina Annual Conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. Held al
Newberry, South Carolina. December LIE
1873. A copy IL In the hands Of every minis
ter OF the Conference for The purpose Of obtain
Ing signatures.
The following extract Is taken from the
published Minutes, page 20:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TEN
PERANE:
The Committee to whom was referred the
subject Of temperance beg leave to report
That we have given the matter our careful
consideration, and regard It rs one Of no ordi
nary magnitude and Importance. There II
no language sufficient 70 depict the evil Of in
seen n felt In every phase OF society. None
are exempt from its direful consequences
Thu Church herself has suffered by the preva
lence OF this degrading vice. Notwithstand
untiring efforts Of societies OF reform, thi,
ruinous evil still prevails. The combined In
societies, has largely abated the habit OF in
toxication, but IL IS not extinct. Many homes
arc rendered gloomy, and the haplessinmate,
endure Understandable suffering OF both body
and mind In consequence OF the persistent In
ebriation OF Il husband and father. The cry
OF the helpless, the wall Of the destitute ant
suffering, and The groan OF the justly punish
ed criminal, appeal to IN, to innugurate some
measure to relieve The county OF this .grtev
ous II destructive curse. The Church MAJ
control those within her pale, the Temperance
societies may reform those whom they MAY
induce to sign their pledge. but there are still
thousands, whom neither the church, nor thu
temperance organizations reach It Is still
sold in the shambles, and drunk on the streets
Something ought to be done TO prevent IT.
promiscuouS sale and use. Therefore,
Resolved, That the South Carolina Confer
ence is as much az ever impressed with tb,
Importance or total abstinence from intoxica
ting drinks amongst all classes OF society.
Resolved, further, That we heartily APPROX,
OF, and Will cheerfully participate in, the ei
forts now being made, TO secure the enact
ment OF a ProlIibitory Law by the Legislature
OF the State. Respectfully submitted,
y. +. Ii. ELWkLL,
Chairman.