The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-07
Communicated.
Editor Oranqcburg Democrat:

Courier, endorsed by you, respecting
the social decentralization Of the day,
which has brought so much suffering
and trouble strike sympathetic
chord with the mass, and especially
the women. Drunkenness directly
,invades their province; home is de-
'stroyea, poverty points lank finger
at its desolation, and domestic joy
all that lights its sanctuary is driven
before the curse. Ali is admitted
that in truthful vividness may be por-
trayed. Admitted by the drunkard,
by his injured family, by the commu-
nifty. The pulpit pleads against the
vice of drink, f!thc; press exposes its
deformity, the better part of society
denounce it, yet The curse rears its
Hydra headed hatefulness and mocks
public opinion while it goes on un-
stayed. Is there cure short of leg
islation? An army Of detectives all
over the land are IN motion to sup
press illicit distilling The tax paid,
and license is given to empty the
wrath abroad the flood gates are
raised for ruin to flow FORT. There is
no hope in legislation the law is chal-
lengcd in the violation, not the cause
the judicial stable locks after the
horse is gone. A knife or pistol
puts out one life, and the righteous
law demands another for satisfaction.
The farce Of letting tho beast run
wild is legalized, its destruction is de-
creed after it las Tapped innocent
blood. Were the curse to end with
the drunkard and his victim, it were
tolerable but there is q train of con-
sequences running to tue end Of time.
The broken hearted mother, wife or
sister; the unprovided for children
inheriting the ignominious brand of
father hung. Society tainted to its
core, the tone of public opinion lost,
and a Self graduating "lts none of
our business" cxcusing those who
happen to be above or outside of the
current. There was day when the
man who lost self-respcct, felt it; felt
it in social oslracism severe rs it
was righteous, Young men were re-
quired " come up to the standard Of
family responsibility and to bring no
reflection on honor or friends, or they
were cut; there Was no escape from
plainly expressed dcnunciaton OF
contempt. The door was shut against
the erring, and never again 10 open
except upon reform, if it snapped the
dearest ties of blood. Then, Gas in
case Of young man Of Charleston
whose father, noble citizen, seeing
that the son had dctied the rules Of
decency, led him finally TO the gate:
&C.," he said, "you prefer being
blackguard my house is for gentle,
men and ladies only; ;") though it
brought grief TO that home, it met
the approval of mother and sisters.
You argue rightly, the reform is in the
hands of the women. Let them look
after the young men at home. Let
them resolve to place every obstacle
In the way Of son or brother becom
ing a drunkard, plead against it's GER
tain disgrace, if in vain, then take
a stand. Social reform begins at
home; he who respects the name of
his parents will respect their circle,
and be respected. The young women
must be the pioneers in this reform.
A detection from fashion plate pro-
vokes a laugh; good taste they say
requires it. What Of violation Of
decency? Is the habilual drinkcr
no worse than the temperate man
that both arc as acceptable in society
Young ladies, do something! Estab.
lish bound of requirement if it shuts
you in from the gallantries of the 9th
er sex. Let every young man of
your acquaintance be limited 10 his
first visit unless he is Of sober habits,
or you may wear the weeds of dis
grace more sad than mourning, and
feel the deathless sting Of rcproach
that you nursed viper knowingly.
Will you help to feed the maw Of the
prison, poor-housc, gutter and gal
lows; OF will you make young men
respect you in respecting themselves.
May 3rd, 1880.
Hills HEpATIC PANACEA. The Liv.
er is the king imperial organ Of the