The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-17
Have We Law aid Order int SOEth
6,nrnIinn

Have We Law aid order int SOTth
Carolina
The LIQUOR element in South Carolina are
showing up badly. They seem determined TO
override the law. as far as the liquor traffic Is
concerned, but occasionally they get whole
some lesson as for instance in Columbia last
Friday, when one of their number was over
powered and lodged in the penitentiary.
Ever since the enactment Of the dispensary
law the LIQUOR element of various cities in
this State have assumed to be superior TO and
above the law. In this assumption they have
been supported by various newspapers
throughout the Stale. OF course the
liquor men are glad TO have the encourage
ment and support OF the newspapers, and in
turn the newspapers may like to increase
their political influence by the sheer force OF
numbers.
1t is perhaps the first time In the
history of the State that outlaws have met
the open and avowed sympathy OF respecta-
BILE newspapers in any State OF the Union.
In their hatred for the dominant element in
this State, may have originated the idea that
by turning their backs on the law.abidng
people, and aligning themselves with the law.
less element they would be sufficiently pow
erful TO defeat the majority of the Democratic
party, but in this alignment they seem to
have erred in judgment as we'll as In princi.
pie. The best and most conservative element
OF which they may have assumed to be the
head end front, have been more or less alien
ated, and, as Il result, the active opposition to
the dominant element in many Instances has
been reduced to mere Indifference.
There is no disgusting the fact that there is
a large portion of the moral and temperate
people who will not be led into the ranks OF
the liquor element, n matter what their rel
gious or political views may be.
There are thousands Of law-abiding people
people who obey the laws themselves and who
have no sympathy for .breakers-but
whose sympathies are against such methods
as have been resorted to by politicians
Such people support the law officers of the
State in the en- forcement Of the law.
There are patriotic white men-white men
from principle, as we'll as from prejudice
who will not act the hypocrlte by making
pretensions of such great political love for
the negro, as to induce them to surrender
their own citizenship that the negro may gel
Office himself, or be allowed the privilege OF
naming white traitor for the place of pow.
er and influence.
The politicians of South Carolina who may
be looking to the lawless liquor element for
powir and influence. while casting wishful
eye at the negro are, we think not only align
ing themselves with bad company, but are
making political mistake.
If the Press and Banner can understand the
situation in South Carolina, the great mass OF
the white people are as good and as patriotic
as they were in 1876. They are to-day, as in
1876, the source Of all power In South Caro-
lima.
We believe in this condition of affairs, not
withstanding the apparent persistent efforts
of some of our newspapers to destroy our
good name at home and abroad. We believe
in this condition Of affairs Notwithstanding
the studied and persistent effort of some OF
the newspapers to destroy the citizens per.
sonal respect for the State.
The maledictions of mad and uureason-
ing press have been powerless for HARM as is
evidenced by the unprecedented prosperity
of the State, and by the refunding of our
State debt at an unprecedentedly low rate OF
interest.
Notwithstanding the prejudiced and unfair
warfare against the dspensary law, 1t Is to-
day stronger with the people than ever be-.
FORE
Notwithstanding the readiness of the
Courts 10 obstruct and Impede the laws Of the
State. we have peace. law and order in South
Carolina.
Notwithstanding the frequent charges Of
political decisions by the Courts OF South Car
olina, no law-abiding citizen has lost his liz
erty or been deprived OF his property.
Notwithstanding the revolutionary meth
ods and the violence of the liquor element IL
seems that they too must fall into line and
obey the laws Of the State. Even in a great
city. like Columbia, where the liquor element
is great power, one OF their number must
submit to arrest, and be marched of 10 the
penitentiary because he disobeyed the laws OF
the State for a price-the price OF a drink OF
liquor. ,..,..