The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-30
PROHIBITION ADDRESS
BY TIE
STATE PROHIBITION Ex. COM
MITTEE.

STATE PROHIBITION 81. COM
MITTEE.
A Gail for Everybody to Support
Prohibition.
70 the Democratic voters of South
Carolina:
We are this time confronted with a
situation which threatens greater perils
TO all the interests of our people thao
n which we have had to face since
the dark day of reconstruction aud ne
gro domination. It, is, therefore, the
part Of true manhood and loyal citi-
senship, to meet the emergency with a
Determined purpose to do fearlessly
and uucompromisingly that which Is
right in the sight of God. and trusting
70 Him for a safe deliverance from the
impending evils.
The State Prohibition Executive
COMMITTEES, voicing the sentiments of
the large class of q people Who be.
lieve that the liquor traffic is an evil
agency from which flows most of the
pauperism. crime and suffering which
curse our State, aud who are confident
in belief that prohibition Of the traffic
is the only adequate remedy for these
evils within our reach. have issued a
call for . convention to meet in Colum-
bia on the 7th day of June to consider
the means for applying this remedy.
We feel that ne are but fulfilling a
duty which We owe to, our fellow-cisl-
gems in urging upon them, with all the
e-arpestness of which We are capable,
The supreme importance of responding
TO this call and giving the most
thoughtful consideration to the occasion
which demands it. An experiment au-
shorized 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 interposition of the Su-
Dreme Court, at a cost Of bitter polit-
ical animosity, bloodshed, and a condi-
ton of unchecked lawlessness on the
part Of the representatives of the
LIQUOR traffic. unparalleled in the his
tory of the State. The first decision of
the Supreme Court has been interpret
cd by some as in effect, removing all
restraints from the liquor traffic. and
the whiskey seller has been thus add
yertised that they might reopen. their
saloons anywhere in the State without
molestation from the authorities. As a
direct result of this announcement, the
sluice-gates Of this abomioation have
been opened, and q stream Of iutoxi-
canss is nov rolling in upon the State.
which, If unchecked, by the prompt
and determined action of q united PEG.
pie, will carry death and destruction to
every portion of our devoted common
wealth.
If ve did noe believe that there is
sufficient power in the Law, if promptly
utilized, to protect rs in a measure
from the threatened esils, the situation
could indeed be appalling, bu. We con-
fdently assure you, fellow citizens. that
you are not left hopelessly to battle
With this merciless foe, thus invited to
insade the s.octity Of your homes. The
means Of protection are within your
seach. Municipal laws exist in most OF
the towns and cities of the State for
bidding the sale Of intoxicating liquors
sitbous q license and there are penal
ties to enforce such ordinances. 1t
therefore becomes the duty of ali good
cisisens to demand Of their municipal
authorities chat this prohibition be ap-
Piled to anyone who would attempt,
npder the ill-advised assurance Of any
one, to violate the Law of the community
as cbus expressed.
The statute Law. which the Supreme
Court has decided to be of force. pro-
yides for the punishment of offenders
when convicted. . 6ne Of six months
imprisonnent. or both, in the discretion
of the eeurs While it is true that these
statutes, both in their penalties aud
method Of procedure. are uos such as
are needed to guarantee the most efec-
tive enforcement of prohibition. AID
only show the necessity for our pres
ent movement to secure the passage Of
. Law framed in all It's parts to insure
its y summary enforcement. still.
the law as it stands is a means of de-
tense against the illegal whiskey traffic,
and should be used for all that it will
do. until a more perfect law can be OBJ
tanned.
I. is therefore especially the duty Of
prohibitionists to make this the occa-
sion when they shall give emphasis to
their faith, aud assurance Of their con-
sis,ency, by aiding in every proper way
-eo,e un1ar the OMAR