The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-01-25
Extracts from Lowndesville Advertiser
Prohibition.

Prohibition.
was struck last week with an edi-
torial in the Greenwood Tribune on
prohibition. l quote it, lest our
readers fail TO see it. The Tribune
says:
"With our views upon this subject
| it is rather bard for us to advocate the
Anti side of the matter and the only
reason that we do so is because "Prohi-
bition docs not prohibit" There is no
use to cite evidence to prove our be-
lief. Any citizen of dry town can
testify to the truth of what we say,
and we honestly believe that it would
be to the best interests of Abbeville
county if the Anti-prohibitionists
would prevail"
How does this sound for a paper in
favor of prohibition, or temperance?
The question is reduced to this.
Should not something he done to pro-
mote temperance, and if so, what other
method can be substituted in stead Of
our prOhibitory movements?
Where Is the reformation to begin 4?
[ would Judge from the language of
the Tribune that Greenwood is by vote
Il dry town, but that liquor is still be-
ing sold i'll some way, and that because
this is the case, that therefore, all dry
towns are in the same fix.
The drift of the Tribune on this sub
ject is about this: prohibition does not
prohibit in Greenwood, and therefore
it does not. in any town.
AS it does not absolutely prohibit,
the Tribune conclud s, that it will not
and cannot, and therefore it determines
to become opposed to prohibition, and
the results, if in favor of bar-rooms
and drunkenness, will be far better for
Abbeville county, than for prohibition
to succeed.
simply wish to say for the infor-
nation Of the Tribune, that if prohi-
bition does not succeed in Greenwood,
it docs in Lowndesville.
We have tested it far enough to put
it as legal enactment beyond expert
ment. 1t does prohibit in our town to
the peace, safety, and well-being of
our homes.
On the broad assertion that "prohi-
bitlon does not prohibit" there is more
fallacy, and dogmatism, than any
perhaps connected with the whole sub
ject.
That it does not prohibit absolutely,
we all agree, and that it does not pro-
hibit as the best friends of the subject
would like, we also readily admit, but
that it does not in any degree, lessen
drunkenness, disorder, and crime, few
would certainly assert.
1t is true we would like to see it alb
solute in its effects, driving bar-rooms,
drunkenness, and crime from our
midst, not even leaving the slightest
probability of their returning, but
because this is not realized in a mo-
ment, or within the time allotted by
us, are we to become impatient, and
indignant, and in disgust turn traitor
to the cause, and do and say all we can
to defeat it
Prohibition does prohibit, more or
less, in every place where introduced,
notwithstanding the brevity of the ex-
pertinent, and this is the reason why
its enemies are so decidedly opposed to
it. If it does not prohibit, then why
the opposition on the part of the bar
keepers and liquor dealers?
This is their argument against pro-
hibition, and lovers of temperance
should never make use Of it. If pro-
hibition did not prohibit, but, as some
say, rather increased drinking, then
the liquor men ought to defend instead
of condemn it. But they say it only
puts the business in the hands of the
drug stores, who monopolize it, and
the regular bar-keepers are cut out of
their opportunity to run the monopoly
under municipal authority.
In reply to this, will say, it is to be
deplored, of course, that there are men
in the drug business who will unscru-
pulousIy stoop to sell liquor as bever-
age-taking advantage of this business
to deeat the present prohibitory laws
but if all who profess to be friends of
temperance would claim the ground
already gained, and maintain more
vigorously the ultimate principle OF
temperance as the highest and best
end sought, it would not be long before
we as a people would be prepared to
take other advanced steps, which
would deprive unscrupulous drug men
of playing heir muggling games.
ANY thoughtful candid man will ad-
NIT that it is at least one step from the
great curse of wholesale drunkenness
and crime, to close the legalized bar
rooms, and let it for a brief season be
controlled by the drug stores of the
county. Let us hold to the ground al
ready gained, and instead Of deplor-
ing the practical defects in prohibition
around US, until we become morbid
and finally apostatize from the right,
and let us unite our forces in the name OF
God, and with the highest and purest
feeling for humanity push the battle
until our homes and our county shall
be free.
The claim is too laudable, and the
assumption too grand to he controlled
by anything less than this. Conscious
that our motives are pure, rising trans
cendingly above all politics, all selfish
ness, and all gain, we will get an i'll
spiration for the work which will Sc
cure success.
Now that the opportunity is ours,
and the responsibility upon US, let US
as lovers of God, and as friends to hui
nlanity, contend for the right, remen..
bering that "united we stand, divided
we fall"
NOTES FROM ABBEv1LLu COURT HOUSE.