The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-03-26
to crafty a depraved appetite for
strong drink, and mako profit there

to crafty a depraved appetite for
strong drink, and mako profit there
by.
We are bound to believe that as long
| rs this feature ipheres in tho law no
mere measures Of administration Of it,
however honestly or earnestly carried
out, can mitigate the dire results which
flow from it, and the woes which must
inevitably be visited on all who are
| connected with it.
Just so long as tho State continues to
uphold ~ system SO utterly repugnant
to the moral principles Of the Word OF
God. and SO destructive to every effort
| to establish the rule OF right and OF
righteousness among mon, so long will
it be the bounden duty of every man
who recognizes the claims OF God and
his fellow upon him, to seek to correct
this condition Of things.
We are convinced by our past and
present experience in our efforts to
bring about this better state Of things,
isatOrs who are controlled by policy
and not principle, and we are pain ed to
realize that such men stand ready at
the bidding of a leader who may not be
moved by high moral principle in his
public acts, to set aside their most
sacred VOWS to God, to shut their
hearts against the most pathetic ap-
peals Of humanity, and violate what
they declare to be the convictions OF
their own consciences, if by SO doing
they can secure a continuance in Office
or the favor Of their partisan leaders.
We therefore conclude that tho only
hope for permanently reforming the
laws, and through them influence the
habits and morals of the people, is in
tho persistent effort to unite in organ
izution all friends of temperance, and
by holding meetings, studying Gods
word on the subject, and going to Him
in praysr for guidance, will create
such q sentiment through the entire
country that no matter who are our
lawmakers, they will give what tho
Christian people of the State want on
this subject
TO this issue the Gospel Temperance
Union Is unalterably committed, and to
its support it invites every follower OF
Christ Of whatever name, and every
citizen Of the State who has detormin
ed TO stand for tho protection Of the
homes, the mothers and the children
Of this fair State from the impending
ruin which q perpetuatiOn OF the
States traffic in liquor is sure to bring
His own good time He will bring about
the accomplishment of His will in the
redemption Of men from the perverted
appctites and passions which cnslavc
and ruin them, and their deliveraDce
from the greatest curse which has ever
blightcd humanity.
We propose to organize unions
among tho churches whose members
endorse our views and purposes on this
subject, and by unifying the sentiment
and effort of Christians, direct them
against this traffic. In this way, we
believe, legislation can be made the ex-
preston Of the moral principles of gov
crument, when laws shall be made by
the bettor class Of society for the re-
preston Of the vices and evils brought
uEou society by the vicious and the
criminal, and not as at present, when
oilSici;tns seek too often only to shape
Legislation to meot the demands Of the
evil disposed voters who thus secure
immunity from the consequences which
these violations Of right and morality
should bring upon them.
For the consummation Of q purpose so
desirable we ask the active co-opera-
tion Of cyery good citizen.