The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-08
GOOD SENSE AND GOOD LOGIC.
4 BrOsher EtIit0r Takes in the Situn-
ti0n. and Remarks on the Subiect
of TrohibitOry Laws.
Rco1cee Co,sricl


Al an early day the Counties Of Abbeville
and Grecnville will hold an election upon the
question of license for the sale OF whiskey
The Act provides that the election shall be
held in 90 days after IT'S passage pSg and drins H. ls
the month Of March. A public meeting was
held in Greenville on the 9th. utimo, at
which an executive committee OF one rom
each township, except Greenvil!e, Wnicn Nm rdh mas
bitionists to conduct the canvass. The meet
ing was very conservative, oil the speakers
favoring a fair and just campaign. NO plan
of action has been adopted, bnt indications
point to regular campaign with speech MAX
| Ing at different places.
The country will look with Interest to the
result OF this election In two Of the largest ana
The question Is simple and unhampered by
any extreme provisions Of law. NO one can
predict the result, especially as little discus
sion OF the question has yet developed III tne
press or in meetings.
| The Abbeylle Press and Banner stands fairly
suuarely and firmly by the no license party,
and we publish from 1t iore9ie s nee,, ane wei
has Its opinions and allows to all others equal
rights OF opinion on this issue, without COM
the Lowndesville advertiser, in q we'll con-
sidered article, holds the question one of such
magnitude as TO affect all the best interests o.
the county and one on which every citizen Is
| shut up to the necessity OF showing nlmseil
one way or the other.
An editorial In the Greenwood Tribune has
the following clause: ,,
"With our views upon this subject us rather
| hard for us to advocate the anti-side OF the
matter and the only reason that we 40 SO Is
because prohibition does not prohibit"
These fast four words are the muscle, the
marrow, the soul OF all arguments agalnsI
anti-liquor enactments, and to US there is
nothing in them that does not: apply WITH
equal force to all laws prohibiting acts nol
bad in themselves, but injurious to the pubic
revenue or public morals and safety;
The traffic in seed cotton after night cannot
be prevented, yet our legislators, expressing
the will of the people, have passed laws pro
hibiting 1t. The selling OF property on which
ed. vet a statute, meeting the public wishes
and approval, makes 1t criminal. The carry
ing Of concealed weapons cannot be prevent
cd and yet 1t is criminal by law. we see no,
50 per cent or moro of the young men OF the
Iand 90 mcd at night and we meet noopposi
tlon In passing the law, and find no advocates
for its repeal. The same Is true OF otner pro
hibited wrongs and even In the highest crimes
bad in themselves, no law has yet been founo
and no punishment has yet been inflicted fol
their commission, which has or can absolute
ly prevent them. ,. .-,,,
commit crime and violate the laws OF bott
God and man, shall we have no laws? Ii
our view the object Of all law Is 10 Dettel
men, not perfect them, to increase the securl
absolutely is impossible. Every prohibitory
law, nssailing human habit, appetite or pas
sion must be Intellectual to the end IN view
but restraint limits, then moderates, tneI
stops the evil. The work Is slow and gradual
but none the less sure and in the end success
We believe the use of liquor MS a beverage II
wrong in itself, and whether law restrain
Ing its use be strictly obeyed or not, we snal
be found supporting it as mitigating grea
/ evil,