The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-06

Once upon time a hunter found a fero-
cious wild beast securely tied. The piteous
appeals of the tethered animal touched the
heart Of the kind and sympathetic man, VINO
saw no danger in liberating the wild beast,
and so he gave the animal his liberty. AS
soon as he was free the pangs OF starvation
prompted him to satisfy his hunger, and SO
he devoured his benefactor.
Now this story finds It's counterpart In
the foolish ect of the prohibitionists OF South
Carolina in seeking to undo the restraints
which are thrown around the sale of liquor
by the dispensary. There is not an unpreju-
diced mind in the State that will not admit
that the restraints OF the dispensary law have
lessened the sale ofliquor and reduced drink
ing. Yet prohibitionlsts and infer
TALLY temperance people, do not re-
cognize the great advantage which has been
secured in the passage of the dispensary law.
but like the foolish hunter who liberated the
wild beast, they seek to break down the bar
riers which have already been placed around
the business. II these prohibitionists and
inferentially, Temperance people, are really
in earnest in their efforts to promote So
briefly they would not liberate the wild beast
In order TO get better hold of him.
Practical common sense aud common
honesty OF Purpose should suggest the pre-
priety OF holding fast 10 the advantage which
we now have OF the ferocous beast. Fasten
around his limbs other and stronger fetters.
Only an idiot would turn him loose in Or
der to tie him better.
Then We say that every man in South Caro-
lina who has at heart the morality and So
briefly of this people should not only hold fast
to the advantage we now have in the dispen-
more firmly in the hearts and minds OF
all good citizens. who sincerely love their
fellow men. If in after years, we find that
the dispensary is selling too much whiskey
we can place other safeguards aroundi 1t.
We have the strongest proof that the dis
pensary bas been powerful agent in pro
noting temperance. Since original pack
age stores have been opened, we believe thai
every one OF them has done rushing
business" AS far as we can learn the busi
ness of the dispensary has not been curtaied
in proportion to the increase OF sales at the
unauthorized shops.
The editor Of this newspaper has fought
liquor from his earliest childhood, and he
expects to fight it until the day when be
shall be no more This newspaper opposed
the opening Of the dlspensary at Abbeville
but It's workings have been 50 satisfactory
as compared TO the former prohibition and
license systems, that we shall support the
dispensary system now and hereafter.
We can readily see how the barroom ele.
ment can c1nscientiously favor the opening
OF the saloons, but We cannot understand
how Christian churchmembers, who claim
TO be temperance peole, can join forces with
the saloon men in their efforts to destroy
the best liquor law with which the state has
ever been blessed. We can account for the
strange afflliation only on the presumption
OF ignorance of the result. If any man
can suggest any other reason for this strange
and unaccountable combination of saloon
men, preachers and temperance people we
will thank some one to show it. Up 10 this
time we can conceive OF no excuse for the
alliance of christian temperance people and
honest saloon men except on the basis OF
a misapprehension as to the actual facts, or
in the profession OF principles 10 which
they do not in reality hold.