The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-25
WHAT SHALL We DOp

cral topic Of prohibition in regard tG
the salo Of Intoxicating liquors, and
we heartily col fnmend the motive and
spirit whicli prompted the commune
cation. "H. }. W." is, fprcsumc, q
young man, and it is a most gratifying
and auspicious omen Of brighter
future for our town to sec this class Of
our citizens coming first to the front
in the contest between virtue and vice,
dcccncy and degradation. No Thought
fnl, wcll-iniormcd Or Intelligent citizen
can deny the fact that the retailing Of
w!iskey and other Intoxicating drinks
Is the present banc Of society. The
evidence of this fact is seen almost
every day on our streets, and is so
palpablc that mono but Interested par
ties could pretend to deny it. lis dark
and damning effects ars visible, not
alone amongst the poor and illitcratc,
bnt even in tho houses Of wealth, re-
iinemont and intelligence the quiet grief
Of fond but trustful wife, the tears of
a pious and saimtcd mother, and the
tcndcr cXpostulatiohs of M aged
father bear witness to it's blighting
curse.
The thirst for strong drink is some
times hereditary, but most frequently
is created and fostered by an occa-
sional "social glass, and this seldom
fails to ripcn into n confirmed habit Of
indulgence. by insilious steps the
unsuspccting victim is daily drawn
nearer and nearer the fatal whirlpoof,
and at last he is cngulfcd in the fearful
vortex Of ruin and disgrace. When
once this cnticing monster has brought
him into the radius of its influences, it
requires an almost supcrhuman effort
to escape from fhc final sacrifice of
truth, virtue and honor. The only
safe rule is the apostolic fninnction-
"touc'l not, taste not, handle not'.
As n general rule the greatest dam
ger results to tho Younger members Of
society from the existence of the
licensed liquor traffic. Though,lcss
| ana inexperienced youth most readily
falls before the footstool Of the tyranr,
and alI noble and manly instincts are
compromised in order to pay the claims
demanded, rs tribute, from its slaves.
Young incn Of brilliant minds, exalted
virtue and noble ambitious are uu-
2uardcdly led into the house of this
abomIlnblc traffic, and there, in short
| linic. al HE bttter and finer elements
ri their natures arc prustitutrtl to
"F|Hh. These very young men are the
! npc and flower of the State. They
are soon to fill the highest places of
| homer and trust in their country; and
yet how sad to sec, rs IS frequently tile
! case, their powers Of mind IMPAIRED
and their influence ncutraliZcd bv
habits of intoXicaIion. The State hrs
! rioht to expect Fl ON her sons the best
powers Of their minds aud natures,
and yet how often is she cheated Of
lcr just rights by those who tlcal'iu
this unhallowcd article OF traffic. Who,
affairs? Primarily the bnr-kccpcrs of
! the country, but sccondarilv and indj-
r'ctIy those who allow or tolerate bar
rooms in their midst. We know that
II Is frequently urged that the right OF
;,rivatc liberty would be invnjrI ana
[ inirinocd if the bar-rooms wcrc smm.
| narilv and pcrcmptorilt closed Inv :,
refusal to grant licenses To sell whiskcv
and other Intoxicating LIQUORS, Rnt
! Tut Ills is'n most futile and cantioms
objection. The murderer mioht' viii
cvIHl force and c0msistcncv ,.Ia;,,,, ','., "'.,
thr,c was an cncroarhmcnt npnu his
private liberty when the strong hnud NJ
The law required from him the fuli
penalty Of his crime. Those who nr.
engaged in the sale OF this stuff nrc
nothing more nor less than wlolrsolr
murdcrcrs. They not only destroy tho
! lives ami regulations Of many hnn-
'lrc'is of our citizens, but virtually rob
! thc"r beforehand of their property and
| send q dark and bliyhting Shadow OVER
/ many peaceful and happy homes. Wc
need not refer YOU to instances. Lui
will let your observation suw"cst ihcm
Now we maintain that iLrrc rx;Sis
; in every community the ri"hi TO nrn.
tcct itAt(f not only against thc crimes
Of one individual, but arninst nnw
class Of individuals who strike y dcnti,
Blow at the very heart and basis ~ ttn
| social compact. a man NAV hn n"1