Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-08-10
TILE DISPENSARY LAW.

{ TILE DISPENSARY LAW
BY Mrs. s. F. Chaplin in Southern
Christian Advocate.
1t was my privilege on last Sab
bath evening, July 18th, to be pres
! ent at the Citadel Square Baptis
Church, where the Rev. Davic
Ramsey, the pastor, was announced
to preach. His topic was to be
Religion and the New Liquo,
Law"
The day had been intensely hot,
and what seemed to be gathering
storm was evidently. approaching,
but neither pretentous clouds nor
rumbling thunder prevented a
large congregation from filling the
house and occupying the gallery.
Quite a number of colored people
were also present. All denomina-
tions were represented, showing the
deep and universal interest felt in
the subject 10 be discussed.
Mr.. Ramsey, after the opening
exercises, read most impressively
the 18th chapter of Romans, and
took as his text part of the first
verse: "The powers that be are Or
dained of God" He said some
people thought the pulpit had no
right to discuss "the temperance
question:" but he believed that
everything connected with the well
fare of society and the salvation
of souls came under the conscien-
tious minister's line of subjects for
discussion; and as intemperance
was admitted by all to be the great
est curse of the age, he proposed
to speak from a religious stand
point of the new law passed for it's
suppression.
First, he asked, what is the South
Carolina law, and with whom did
it originate?
This he answered by saying, not
by Governor Tillman or the poll
ticians, and yet it meets its bitter
est opposition from the i'll will Of
those who object to it because of
the great load of prejudice they
feel toward the Chief Executive
and his party. tits being most
bitterly attacked from every direc-
hon hon and if it lives it will have
ever enacted in any State; but
Governor Tillman is not RESPONSE
BILE for it.
The liquor traffic had become 30
law-defying and intolerant that
thoughtful citizens all through the
country felt and determined that
it should he crushed out, and by a
majority of ten thousand votes de-
manded absolute prohibition. The
people in the State did it.
There has been a great educa-
tional force at work in the State
for years for the shutting up of the
saloons by law. The Legislature
did not pass the law absolutely
prohibitory. but provided for the
sale of liquor by responsible men,
guarded by restrictions almost
amounting to prohibition, or if the
freeholders preferred prohibition
out and out, all they had to do was
to refuse to sign the petition for a
dispensary. AS a Christian man
and a prohibitionist, I could not
sign a petition for dispensary,
although it is infinitely better than
the licensed saloon and a long step
towards absolute prohibition. I
have travelled this State from one
end to the other. 1t is my native
State. I have talked with the
warm-hearted, honest men who
wear the wool hat and support
this bill, and whatever a few poll
ticians may have in view 1 do be-
lieve the bill was honestly framed
to benefit all the people, and with
no intention to make money out of
the law, and with no malice in the
world against our beautiful his
toric City by the Sea, SO full of
valiant deeds and precious memo
ries. He deprecated any and every
effort to create division between
IL o4;o l os bo s,olyo ton