The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-07

Mr.. EDITOR: A case has been pending
in one of the Trial Justices Courts of this
County recently involving point of law
in which almost all our people are, to a
greater or less extent, interested, to-wlt :
An Indictment against liquor seltor tor sell
ing his poisonous stuff to another in sutf1-
cient quantity to- make him drunk, and for
continuing to do so after his reason was oe-
throned, and for being accessory before the
fact'' to q crime committed against law and
order while thus crazed. This calls to mlnd
the fac. that our law makers in the past
have tried to enact such laws as were
deemed necessary to protect the lives and
property of all the people, and to secure TO
ajl the greatest possible amount of peace
and happiness. We are also reminded OF
the fact that our laws in this regard are
ignored, trampled upon or taken advantage
Of to such extent as to endanger civilization
ITSELF and the people have begun to con-
clude there is no help for it, and, in many
cases, have said that tie good old ship OF
State must 60 down in consequence, OF IT..
I am glad to say there y vel hope abiding
in many breasts, which rests upon the
change in public opinion with regard to this
great curse, the liquor traffic. but at the
same time upon the laws already upon our
statute books, and upon determination on
the part of some to see that those Laws are
'rieidly enforced. That the manifest apathy
of our people hitherto is the result in part,
at least, of ignorance as to existing laws on
the subject Of the "sale of liquors" there
can be no doubt. And that if their minds
were now informed that we already have
"line upon line' upon our statute books,
all designed for protection against this great
and growing evil, there can likewise be no
doubt. Because the masses are tired OF this
thing; are beginning to look with horror
upon it; and are inquiring into the laws
concerning it, determined to place them
selves in the breach to save their fathers,
brothers and sons from ruin, and their
mothers, wives and daughters from poverty,
disgraces shame and sorrow.
Believing, Mr.. Editor, that the minds OF
the people are beginning to stir within them
upon this subject, take the Liberty OF al.
dressing you this communication and Of
asking YOU to search out of your law books
/ all laws upon making, keeping and selling
"spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider,
and publish them from week to week IN
your widely circulated and excellent INTEL
LIaENcER. The people can then see what
already exists, and, if found insufficient to
accomplish the object designed, can make
such demand upon their Representatives in
the next Assembly as may be necessary to
stay the terrible evil and prevent it sapping
the very life-blood Of the nation.
|. It will, am aware, require some time,
and may be heavy strain upon your
already overworked mind, as also upon
your columns, but it seems to me, sir, the
times demand it, and that you as Repre-
sentative of the people will prove yourself
public benefactor by looking into this matter,
and, if necessary, prepare to legislate upon
it: Give US the laws in full, and, when they
see, they will act. make this request
ssPRo Bono PUBLICo."