The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-11-10
The Disorder Last Week-Hare We a
Town Council?

Last week will long be remembered MS n
week when law and order was put Mt defiance.
If license 10 violate the common prophecies
OF life were granted by word or implication.
We think 1t about time 10 have order and quiz
ct restored. Let offenders from this time forth
be made to feol the force OF the law II they
continue to disregard the plain ordinances OF
the town. The laws against drunkenness, pro-
family and vulgarity on our streets and on our
public square should be risidly enforced from
thist time forth.
One great cause Of complaint ia the common
practice OF firing pistols ut night on our prin-
cipal streets. On Main street especially is this
n grievance. The citizens OF the upper part OF
town walk out at night Mt the peril OF their
lives from stray pistol shots. Within the past
week the very Enclosures around two OF the
dwellings In that part OF the town have been
shot into. Such a state OF terrorism, and such
m unwarrantable subsection Of our citizens 10
the sound Of foul.Inouthed desperadoes or out
laws, should not be tolerated within the shad-
ow Of that temple which claims to administer
Justice and give protection to the unofiending
citizen from the hands Of the assassin and
the mouth OF the blackguard.
IL we are not greatly mistaken, there is an
ordinance OF the town forbidding. under heavy
penalties, the discharge OF any gun or pistol
within six hundrc yards OF the courthouse.
II there is such an ordinance the people
OF the town will expect q strict enforce.
ment OF that law: and II there is no law
against such a violation Of the peace, we hope
that the City Fathers will take a lesson from
the town council OF Columbia and other towns
in The State. who have enacted ordinances
prohibiting the carrying Of pistols within the
corporate Limits Of their respective towns.
We do not live in Mexico or Texas, nor Is
there such a state Of society in Abbevi!le rs
compels every desperate 10 buckle on a pistol
in order that when he becomes drunk he may
kill by accident or intention q more peaceable
and a more worthy citizen.
While on this subject we think we may APP
peal to the pulpit to aid In bringing about and
preserving a better state OF morals. This con
he done by ceasing to say unjust and vile
things OF those who either dance or go to the
circus, and by devoting the valuable time
heretofore so perniciously spent in abusing
other denominations to preaching Christiani-
~, pure and undefled, and by bringing that
Christianity to bear against the crimes
which are now disorganizing our very civili-
zatlon. True Christianity is practical in Its
results, and It's effects may be seen in our eve
ryday life. That kind Of Christianity which
does not soften and sweeten our natures is not
the religion OF which Jesus OF Nazareth was
the ~exeinplar. That is not the true religion,
which forbids the young to enjoy a little hon.
est mirth in the presence Of their mothers and
sisters, but on the contrary allows our boys OF
tender years to go forth into the streets and
:by-ways, where they may under a canopy OF
darkness become corrupted by every form OF
vice that lies In walt for innocent youth. We
have been bored long enough with confused
medleys on doctrinal points, and have had
ouite enough Misrepresentation Oh the sub
3ect Of dancing aid circus-going, to have, In
our opinion, q very evident evil effect on the
morals and manner OF our young men. Youth
with Its joyousness and innocence will seek
comranionship, and II the doors OF our homes
are shut to them they naturally go the streets,
and from thence to the billiard room, the bar
room, and other places where good boys have
little business. Holding this view OF the mat
ter, we think the decline in our morals Is
greatly owing to an abuse Of the pulpit. We
nre In a lamentable condition when the pulpit
wauders from the cardinal doctrines OF the
religion taught by the meek and lowly Jesus,
and substitutes TRADES against the Innocent
amusements which keeps our boys at home
and protects them from the snares which be-
set the feet OF those who go into the streets
1t is equally lamentable If the preacher instils
into the hearts OF bis hearers the doctrine OF
hate and uncharitableness for other Christians
who are striving to serve the Lord In q differ
ent name from his own, and In q way which
they think more in accord with The teachings
OF the Holy Scriptures.
AS evidence OF the effect Of perniclous
preaching it is only necessary to State
a fact or two. Four or 1--we years ago the
subject of true religion in our churches was,
in our opinion practically abandoned for an
attack against innocent amusements, or, as
they were cal'ed. worldly" amusemenis'
while those who filled the pulpit also
preached something Of hatred and disrespect
to other Christians. UP to that time 1t had
been impossible to support a licensed billiard
table In town: now there are two, each OF
which Is reasonably well patronized. Then,
our people we're a church-going people; there
was not a family In town which did not have
representatives at church every Sunday. 1t Is
not necessary to state the present condition OF
affairs. But we will say that there are now
heads OF families who seldom darken the doors
Of a church. while the number Of young men
Rho stay away Is great.