The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-01
NTENIPERANCE AND CRIME.

NTENIPERANcE AND CRIME.
Ofall the evils under which our people
are now laboring, none is so destructive
of peace, happiness and prosperity as the
Incorporate use of intoxicating drinks,
and it is somewhat appalling to see how
decidedly this evil is on the increase.
There is scarcely town in the State in
which the sight of drunken men is not an
everyday occurrence, and this is not the
worst of the matter; for although this
habit shows that the custom of drinking
to excess is not condemned by society,
still the most dangerous feature is the
constant, habitual, excessive use of spirits
by large number of the citizens of every
community in the State, so that their
minds and feelings are constantly excited
and inAamed, thereby keeping constantly
on hand in every neighborhood the ma
terial for brawls, riots or conflicts from
the smallest to the greatest. Those who
will trouble themselves to visit the courts
of our State will fud that three efourths
of all the crimes committed here are
traceable either directly or indirectly, yet
clearly, to the use of spirituous liquors,
and the reason for it is clear to those who
will reflect. The use of Intoxicating
drinks tends to intensity and inaame the
feelings and dispositions of the persons
drinking, and hence the result shows it
self in the breaking of law and the COM
mission of crime. Scarcely one out of
every twenty homicides in this State is
committed by sober man upon sober
man. The same is true, also, to a very
surprising extent of all the shooting
scrapes and assaults and batteries which
go before the Courts.
Not only this, but the waste and want
occasioned by the use of intoxicating
drinks is very great, and particularly SO
with the colored population around our
towns. Their regular drink must be had
if their families are wanting bread. Out
of their scant wages enough must be
taken to supply their whiskey, when the
amount would, if judiciously expended,
give them many comforts, which would
conduce to their health and happiness.
The citizens of this County have not
contracted the habit to the extent Of
some other counties, and yet it is entire
ly too prevalent here, and unless checked
by public opinion it is destined to bring
the same disorder and crime upon us
which is found in some of the counties
of the State. We have spoken of the
evil to condemn it, and to call upon our
citizens coolly to determine to leave off
the habit themselves, and to exert their
moral influence to prevent others from
contracting or continuing it. Parents
owe it to their sons to exert all their in
huence to instruct them in youth and
persuade them in maturer years to alb
stain from Intoxicating beverages. The
ladies of our county owe it to them
selves and to the men of our State to
exert their influence in society to form
and maintain a public sentiment against
drinking which will prevent men from
contracting or continuing the custom.
Our Churches and our ministers owe it
to the cause of morality, as we'll as to the
interests of the country, to give their dis
appreciation and to exert their influence
against the evil, and if all these elements
of our people who condemn the habit of
drinking to excess will combine in the
effort to suppress it, a great reform may
be worked out for our citizens and for
the whole State.
Drunkenness is habit which impov-
erishes and degradcs man without max
ing him single return. 1t not only in
jures the individual, but it endangers the
happiness and lives of those around him,
and, therefore, society is interested in its
suppression. In order to help in doing
this, it is not necessary that every one
should join a temperance society. These
societies deserve the encouragement and
cooperation of every one, but still, if
persons are unwilling % join them, they
may help in the work of eradicating
drunkenness by their private example
and their influence upon those around
them. While other reforms are being
advocated, this one, which is prc-emi-
nently important, ought not to be neg
lected. 1t will, if secured, do more to
advance the financial prosperity of the
country, to promote morality and reli-
gion and to purify society, than any one
reform that could be effected. 1t would
diminish crime and promote healthy
public sentiment on all subjects. 1t is
worth thinking about and working for.
President Hayes has appointed Hon.
William Henry Trescot, at present of
Washington, D. c., but formerly q citi-