The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-06-06
PROHIBITION ADDRESS,
ISSUED BY THE STATE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE TO DEMOCRATS.

lSSOEO OI FC . ~ : INESS ~
COMMITTEE TO DEMOCRATS.
eating Ready for the Big Convention,
Which WIZ Soon be Reid In Columbls
Want the QUESTION Submitted to the
People.
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 28.-The
Pcohibitionists Of the State are now up
ant doing, though it can hardly be SAID
that they are doing much so far. It has
been thought for some weeks, since the
accidentrl prohibition law has been of
effect, that the Prohibitionists would
take steps to have the law applied to the
men dealing in liquor. But they have
not mada g move so so tar as the general
public is aware.
The committee now comes 10 the ftGnt
however, and shows its hand. The
committee manlt5stly wishes to consult
with the Prohibitionists of the State and
get them all to Join in demand upon
city authorities that the prohibition law
be enforced. Friday the committee pre-.
pa.ed 81 address 10 the people Of the
State along this line and urging big at
tendance at the State Prohibition con-
vention to be held N this city on June I.
This address was given to the press Fri
day but withdrawn and held over till yes
terday, when it was made public. The
address reads as follows:
IT, Ln Oorotio voiare Of SNDth
Carolina:
We are at this time confronted with
situation which threatens greater perils
to all the interest of our people than any
which we have had to face since the dark
day OF reconstruction and negro domina
ton. Il is, therefore, the part of true
manhood and loyal citizenship, to meet
the emergen2y with determined Pur-
pose to do fearlessly and u7compromis-
ingly that which is right IN the sgnt Of
God and, trusting to him for a safe deli
gerance from the impending evils.
The State Prohibition Executive Com
mlttee, voicing the sentiments of the
large class of our people who believe
that the liauor traffic in an evil agency
from which flows most of the pauperism,
crime and suffering which curse our Safe
and who are confident in belief that
prohibition of the traffic is the only ade-
quate remedy for these evils within our
reach, bave issued q cali for a conven-
ton to meet in Columbia On the 7th day
of June to consider the means for apply
ing this remedy. We feel that we are
but fulfilling a duty which we owe to
our fellow citizens in urging upon them,
with all the earnestness of which we are
capable, the supreme Importance ofre-
spending to this call and giving the most
thoughtful consideration to the occasion
which demands it. An experiment au-
thorized by the Legislature, in direct
violation Of the will of the people as
clearly expressed at the last election,
has, after nine months trial, just been
closed by the interpositioD of the Su-
preme Court, at cost Of bitter po]lti'
csl snimosity, bloodshed, aud condi-
| ton of unchecked laWlessness on the
part Ct the representatives of the liquor
traffic, unparalleled in the history Of the
State. The first decision ot. the Supreme
Court has been interpreted by some as
10 effect, removing all restraints from
the LIQUOR traffic, and the whiskeY seller
has been thus advertised that they might
reopen their saloons anywhere IN the
State without molestation from the au.
thorities. AS a direct result of this an
nouucement, the sluice gates of this
abomlnation have been opened, and a
stream OF intoxicants is now rolling in
upon the State, which, ifunchecked, by
the prompt and determined action ct
united people, will carry 9oatu and de-
structlon to evers9 + cc--ttlon ofour devoted
commonwealth.
| If we did not believe that there is suf-
| fcient power in the law, if promptly uti-
lized, to protect US II measure from
the threatened evils, the situation would
indeed be appalling, but we confidently
assure you fellow citizens, that you are
not left hopeiessly to battle with This
mercilsss foe, thus invited to invade the
sanctltY Of your homes. The means
of protection are within your reach.
Municipal Jaws exist in most OF the
towns and cities Of the State tCrblddipg
the sale of Intoxicating liquors without
license and there are peraltles TO enforce
such ordinances. It therefore becomes
the duty Of all good citizens to demand
of their municipal authorities that this
prohibition be applied to anyone who
would attempt, under the ill.adViseo as
surance of any one. to violate the law of
the community as thus expressed.
The statute law, which the supreme
Court has decided to be Of force, pro.
vides for the punishment OF offenders
when convicted, fine OF 5000 or six
months imprisonment, or both, IN the
discretion of the court. While 1t is true
that these statutes, both in their penal
ties and method of procedure, are not
such as are needed 10 guarantee the
most effective enforcement Of prohibit.
ton, and only show the necessity FOR
our present movement to secure the pas
sage of law framed II all its parts to
insure it's own summary enforcement,
still, the law as it stands is means Of
defense against the illegal wblskey
traffic, and should be used for all that 1t
will do, until more perfect law can be
obtained.
1T is therefore especially the duty of
prohibitionists to make this the occa.
sion when they shall give emphasis to
their faith, and assurance of their con.
sistency, by aiding in every proper way
to bring such violators under the oper-
alton OF the law. In this way can we
most ef'actually show that our denuncia-
ton of the liquor traffic and our demand
for It's prohibition was not an unmeanlng
clamor but the earnest heartfelt express
sion of truth and soberness.
The abandonment of all effort to pre-
vent the reopening of saloons. ard the
promp.ness with which the liquor sellers
have reoccupied his former position in
many parts Of the State, show uumIstak-
ably that the battle IS joined between
the law-respecting citizen and the law
less Wh'skey seller and that the issue can
be no longer eVaded Or avoided. 10 this