Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-10-06
SECOND DAY.

Upon the reassembling Of the convention
at 9 o'clock, it was seen that the attendance
was very meagre. There we're not more than
thirty delegates in the hall. 1t was suggest
ed by the Chairman that as the numbers were
so small, perhapsit it would be better to occupy
the time in hearing informal talks from mem
bers, rather than entering into the regular
proceedings. In response to this invitation,
several delegates expressed briefly and point
edly their views touching the legitimate work
to be done by this convention. After num-
ber of the delegates had addressed the con-
vention, the committee appointed to draw up
programme entered the hall and announced
through their chairman, Mr.. T. j. LaMotte,
that their report was ready.
On motion, the reading of the minutes was
dispensed with and the following was read by
the chairman of the committee:
The committee appointed and instructed to
prepare business for the consideration Of the con-
vention 1T the morning session would respectful
ly report:
That they have been embarrassed in their de-
liberations, by the fact that the comparatively
small number of delegates in attendance on the
convention will not justify the body in assuming
to represent fully the sentiment OF all portions OF
our State and that the deliberations and actions of
this convention may, to some extent, fail in its
full influence on those whose interests it seeks to
advance. The utteranccs of large and influen-
tial body of the substantial citizens of South Car
olina, as this convention was designed and conf
IDENTIFY expected to be, would not have failed to
command the attention and compel the respect Of
every class of our people, and to result sooner or
later, in the accomplishment Of measures of leg
islative prohibition in advance of the existing
statutes on the subject.
Small, however, az are our numbers, the prin-
ciples which we represent remain as true, and the
evils against which we propose to direct our eff
forts great as If they were recognized by all
mankind, and whatever may be the discourage
ments which oppose us as good citizens and
faithful representatives of the right, we would
notavoid the responsibility which is laid upon
us to do what we can in discharging the duty
which lies nearest to us on this occasion. We
beg therefore, respectfully to offer few practical
suggestions by which the convention may re-
deem the time by putting in operation agencies
which may effect good in the future. With this
view, we submit to the consideration OF the fol.
lowing resolutions
l. That the convention places on record it's SOL
emn and deliberate conviction that the traffic in
intoxicating liquors, as beverage, is an evil OF
such magnitude rs affects every interest of socie-
ty, and demands from every member of society
the most strenuous effort Of which he is capable
to put forth for its suppression. 81. ~
g. That it is the part of wisdom to employ eve-
ry legitimate agency to secure this end, and in
the Judgment of this convention, it can only be
successfully accomplished by the combined infiu-
ences of faithful paternal instruction and exam
ple the truthful teachings of the pulpit, the un-
prejudiced utterances ofthe press, the unyielding
demands of the law, and the prompt and fearless
discharge of duty by the officers Of the law and
the courts Of justice. The failure OF any of these
agencies brings measure of disappointment to
our hopes and embarrassment to our cause, but
in CO. operation victoryis assured and the day
Of deliverance from the curse of alcohol is near at
hand.
3. That for the purpose of giving practical ef-
fciency to the work of all these agencies we have
named, this convention most earnestly appeals
to the wives and mothers and daughters OF our
State to renew their efforts to save their hus-
bands, children and brothers from the terrible
fate Of the drunkard, by discountenancing social
drinking on all occasions; to the ministers or re.
igion Of all sects to declare with renewed zeal
and earnestness, the fearful denunciations of the
Sacred Word against him who yields to the
tenn mptatiOn of drink, and him who putteth the
bottle to his neighbours lips; to the press to up
hold the truth and right in this matter, without
regard to the interests Of parties or factions, and
to the Courts and jures to mete out to the viola
tors of the law the penalties which it deserves,
without fear, favor or affection.
A. That committee of seven be appointed by
the President of this convention, who shall be
known as the State Central Executive Committee
on Prohibition, whose duty it shall be to appoint
in each County, consisting OF
five members, whose duty it shall be to carry
into effect the suggestions of the said Executive
Committee. as to gathering. and disseminating the
facts and the statistics of the liquor traffic, viola
tons of law, &C., and arrangements for public
County or other meetings, and election OF DELE
gates to future State Convention, should one be
called by the said Executive Committee.
The committee recommend the consideration
by the convention Of the proposition by Mr.. I'll
linghast, at the evening session, which was as
follows:
Resolved, That the Executive Committee be
charged with memoralizing the Legislature of
South Carolina to alter the existing statutes on
prohibition, so that its provisions shall apply to
prohibit the sale OF Intoxicating liquors in ncorpo
rated towns and villages of less than 500 inhab-
tants.
In presenting the above, Mr.. La Motto
made few appropriate remarks; and then
the report was generally discussed.
1t was proposed to exclude section 4, and
this proposition elected an animated debate,
which was participated in by five or six dele
gates The most notable of these speeches
were those made by Messrs. Crews, Edwards,
Dibble, Diver and Marshall.
Miss Gilbert, of opartanburg, made few
gracefal remarks concerning the paucity OF
delegates present, in which she endeavored
TO show that the small attendance is not to
ascribed to lack of interest in the temper
ance cause, but the fact that the cotton season
is now upon US and the times are so stringent
that many enthusiastic workers in the cause
have been prevented from attending the
meeting.
Another notable speech was that made by
the only colored delegate, the member from
Sumter. In the course of his remarks ne
said II think we are just now on the turn
ing point. 1t seems to me that If any one
should be discouraged here at the slim attend
ance it is I, for l am the only colored dele.
gate on the floor of this convention. But l
announce to the members Of this conven'
tion that the colored people of South Car
olina are heartily in accord with the prohibit
ton movement We see the evil and are
ready to co operate with you"
After several other speeches were made,
The report, including section 4, was adopted:
The following resolution was then adopted
Resolved, That the Executive Committee be in
,tructed to memorialize the Legislature so as TO
amend the existing Act prohibiting the sale OF in
oxcating liquors outside OF incorporated towns
md villages as that said sale shall be prohlbited
n Incorporated towns and villages OF less than
800 inhabitants.
At little after II o'clock, the convention
adjourned.
of the Yorkville Enquirer.
NOTES FROM SOUTHERN YORK.
SMITHS TURNOUT, September 2S.-We
lave recently had some rain in this vicinity,
which damaged the opening cotton to some
xtent thoug we we're glad it came, as there
we're great many farmers who wished to
ow oats as early as possible.
Our cotton CROP so far as know, east OF
ha C. C. g. Railroad. and north Of the |