Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-11
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT:


SAVANNAH, Ga, July S-Editor Morning
Nears: AS this topic is now engrossing public
attention. and the Legislature is moving in the
matter, few facts will not be out of place.
Having been identified in an humble way with
the movement, and observing closely the
changes Of the situation, am frank to confess
that never before has there been such uni
versal uprising of the masses as is apparent
to-day. Travelling continually over good por-
ton Of the State, and mingIing with all classes,
have been astonished at the expression of
public opinion upon this topic.
There is no commotion. no blatant declama-
ton, hut quiet, determined and almost uni
versal demand for some legislation upon this
point, The time for marching and regalia
intervene and afford protection This change in
popular sentiment is not without cause. The
practicabllIty of SURPRISING the whisky traffic
has been demonstrated. The blessings follow
ing have been so numerous .and so benefcent
tnat no one any longer doubts the path of duty
in the premises
would not be understood as underestimate
ing the grand work done by the various tenn
perance organizations They have done good
work, but they could not, at least they were
not, made available in every section. They
have contributed much in forming public
opinion upon this subject, but there were
lengths beyond their reach And while give
all praise to the "Woman's Christian Temper
anca Union" yet there were forces at work
long before this noble band of Christian ladies
entered the field. Their energy for and de-
votedness to the best interests of mankind
should receive the applause and encourage
ment which they are entitled to from a land
emerging from the darkness of this fearful
evil.
have not at my command to-day the data
to say which county or community first urged
the adoption of "a local option law" think,
Nlexan owls. A..
late Herschel " johnson, of the Middle Cir
cult OF one thing am confident, this ques-
ton never had more earnest and able advo-
cate. The people Of that circuit will never
forget his charges to the grand juries upon
this point. His burning and eloquent words
remain upon the hearts Of hundreds as a bene-
diction Visiting the various county sites
during court week. / had the pleasure of hear
ing many Of these charges, and conversing pri-
vately with Governor johnson upon this sub
ject. The old veterans eye would glisten
and his heart warm up when he be-
gan to descant upon the blessings
that were following in the wake Of local
option. He declared to me once in Wrights-
vile, that, since the adoption of the law pro-
hioitins the sale of intoxicating liquors in
Johnson county, litigation had decreased
at least one-third-and that was the fall term
of court of the second year of whisky's
Punishment. Look at this town." said he;
you remember how it was before during
court week. See what a change. The very
people look different. their homes look differ
emit. Court week used to be terror to the
citizens Fights and hrolls were frsqueat Gid GID
it was difficult TO maintain order. Now
Wrightsville is one of the most orderly and
pleasant villages in all my circuit" Such was
the testimony of this good and great man, all
of which my own observation and information
corroborated. This may be said with more or
less force to other counties in that district.
The action of the good people of johnson,
Emanuel aud Tattnall, in putting away this
great evil, had most salutary influence upon
adjoining counties, which have more recently
adopted similar measures.
/ have the testimony of a gentleman from
Augusta, who was utterly astonished at the
marks OF improvement in this wiregrass region
since the adoption of local option. Every evil
dence of prosperity Is apparent and many
homes, where before was nothing but squalor
and poverty, he found neatness and comfort
He passed in buggy through Emanuel, TAFT
nall, Montgomery, Appling counties, Gown to
JeSup, on the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railway, and he made frequent efforts to OBJ
tain even drink, deeming it a necessity to his
health, but could obtain none. "But my great
est surprise was when 1 reached Jesup, said
he. Although had seen no whisky since left
the Central Railroad, / was sure that when
reached JeSup, a railroad town, would be able
to obtain a drink but l was informed that there
was not a drop to be sold in town; that Wayne
county had also adopted local option"
give this to show the unity of the people
in this movement, and, further, have talked
with some Of the old topers of this section and
1uoiI uoCidIdtiOu - tuaL tuey WOulu not nave
the license law restored for the world. While
they are absent from it they can abstain from
drinking, but once in its presence it is impossi-
BILE.
Again, / know some wholesale whisky
houses that have taken their drummers off the
line of the Macon and Brunswick Road be-
cause the counties lying along and adjacent to
the road had banished whisky, and there WIS
not enough of business to Justify the employ
ment of a man-only two or three counties
along the whole line that license barrooms,
The threadbare declaration that people will
have whisky, anyhow. is fcrceless 1t is true
a few men send TO Macon or Savannah have
their kegs and jugs filled, but the masses are
delivered from this evil And the kegs and
jugs are getting less frequent every year. and
time will work an entire cure. 1 have given
these facts, hoping that they may be of service
at this time. JACK PLANE