The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-04-13
Suffering Humanity

Suiiciihh humanity IutempeTRucc.
MIR. EDITOR: We see and hear a good
deal about relief for suffering humanity,
all of which is right aud proper and III
keeping with Divine instruction. There
ia State and National relief for disabled
soldiers and their families; for commune
ties suffering from disease, cyclones,
floods ETC.; general relief of the poor and
needy every where: for suffering nations,
ts Cuba. Armenia and India, and soon
throughout the world, but where is there
actual relief for the thousands of poor
deluded sufferers from The use OF intoxi-
eating beverages? Who comes to the re-
lief Of the sixty thousand or more of our
fellow citizens who fill annually in the
United States as many drunkard's
graves? Not relief. it is true, of money,
food. clothing, etc but the relief Of free
dom from the iron chains of intoxication
In less han ten years we lose by strong
drink directly and indirectly, nearly as
many people ne the entire population or
Cuba, and yet there Is no parade made
over it-no legal efforts put forth to arrest
such a havoc. Sometimes there Is t,o
much misdirected sympathy-a wonder
fnl amount in some directions and little
or none in Others. National and State
authorities can provide means and ways
for the relief of all other sufferers except
the greatly-to- be.pitied victims of strong
drink. Indeed, in place of throwing a
shield around them. they legalize and
foster the manufacture and dispensation
of the very beverages that prove their
ruin; yea, tax the work of dispensing
into their own hands, and thus spread
the ;rgian wings ofState ver the uinous
liquor traffic. Isit not time that some
thing should be lone TO relieve these euf
ferers, and to emove SO fruitful a source
of trOuble, and to show due respect for
the expressed wishes of the people? 1t
should be remembered that many ine-
briates are in a degree powerless to shake
of tho shack les that bind the N. and are
more the objects Of pity than OF blame.
True, they ought not have tempered with
a thing whose very nature ie to slowly
but surely forge Its chains around them.
In this they are to blame.' But unfor-
~tunately the habit has bocoule established
and external help Is needed. I have
met with a drunkard yet who, In
his sober moments. die not wish for the
removal out OF reach OF all .ntoxicants.
How carefully ought men to guard them
selves against contracting a habit 80 hard
70 shake off, and especially young men.
Let them resist with all their strength
ovory enticement to drink while they
hold the balance Of power, lest losipg
that they become the unhappy objects of
confederation. One {: :as most
talented aud kind-hearted men South
Carolina ever produced informed the
writer that On the periodical returns Of
thirst for drink which he suffered, he
would sacrifice everything on earth for
liquor to quench II, ever If necessary
abandon his wife and children. What Ia
to be done, therefore. In behalf OF such
aud to prevent others from con-
the same eplorable habit? Only
one thing certainly. and that is, put all
beverages out OF their reach
by proper Legislation. Not legislate, as
has been done, to put them In their
reach and entice them &c drink. Let 1t
De remembered that the 10oe Is not pro-
nounced against the man who drinks,
but the man who puts the bottle to his
lips &c induce him to drink.
The Church. Temperance organizations,
various other means. have in some
degree. nodOubt, decreased intemperance,
but nothing hut the strong arm Of the
law will ever arrest 1t. It is most won
derfpl that the 80 called %dispensary law
should ever have been thought of as q
remedy for intemperance. 1t Ia hard to
account for the judgment Of men who
honestly, no doubt, thought so. It can
only be accounted for Oh the ground that
they really regarded IL simply as a SUBJ
for the open saloon, and not a
remedy for the evil.
Oh! ye legislators, what arc ye going to
10 for the relief OF your brethren, who
are bound in chains 10y the habit OF drink
and who are crying, mo man careth for
u.s." Can't you kindle up a spark of
sympathy for them, and looking upon
hem DO blood OF your blood and Zone Of
your bone, offer them some assistance2
Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and
wives call long and loud for some relief.
Society, desiring to maintain it's place in
the esteem Of all good men and women,
contribute to the well being and hap
of mankind, calls for relief. Yea.
The people in Township, County, State,
government call for 1t. Humanity cries
aloud for It. and the Church prays and
plead that relief may come. Nav it come
and that quickly. SESRAn.
Beware Of 0ihtments for Catarrh that
Contain Mercurv.