The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-22
Tho Saloon Not q Neee..ity.

To the Editor-Sir: The saloon Is NOT x;
necessity, There Is no need OF man thft
the saloon flIs. This very agitation IS evil
dence that the peoples conscience Is baingy
pricked because Of the public federation OF
an awful evil that Is daily psrpetrating tho
most horrible curse upon 1umanity, and
specially upon the workingman, ard sttit
and children. ~
Necessity Why? Because there Is I
money in the business, money for those
who fatten upon the lifeblood sapped from
the yitals OF the toilers Of our land, and
this selfish interest simply purchases the
privilege for the saloon to exist Tor the
further gain Of Its promoters. The cnuess
the blighting, devastating curse OF the sa..
loon cannot be hidden by the assertion that
the saloon Is the worklngman's club. i III
is his club, It is used only by him to brain
honor from the hearts and lives Of hisSof,
spring, who have right by the sacrednesa9
OF birth to the shslterlng care and protec.
tion Of q father IN the full control OF his
senses, and OF the home fellowship OF, faith
ful parents. The saloon robs them Of this
enjoyment. ~ i.ssssssS s;S
D.! The saloon is not philanthropIc. Itdoasl
not exist for the sake OF providing social
relaxation for the weary. Any association
the more. The wife and children need not I
only social relaxation, but relaxation from
disgrace and dishonor, abuse and pinched
poverty. and from the more trying neces-
sity OF wearing poor II not ragged clothes
and from the narrowing necessity Of eating
hardened crusts while the saloon kssper,a
wife and children revel in their purple and 4
fine linen and fare sumptuously every days
necessity? An institution a necessity {
that robs the nation Of over billion year.
sends 100, 600 drunkards to their graves
1000 suicides, loss to the nation OF 3d.
1000 through fire and violence, and I
causes parents under its deadly, stupefytng.s
influences to overlay $500 little Innocent
children every time We count hfty-tw0t'
Saturday nights In the United States and ts9
the cause Of ninety-seven per cent. ofs aiil
crimes! n :.
A necessity Neverl Revolution moves
slowly. but just as sure as the sun shines,
Just SO surely Is public opinion closing IN i
on the saloon. You may not see It and ~
nav not, but what sometimes will not haps'
pen in 100 years happens IN day, and someS
day, and that day Is not 80 far distant
either, the tide OF sentiment Will be 4
aroused against the saloon and distfueryls
because of their constant menace to so-s
ciety, and this fearful institution Wit be 4
lifted from our body politie and dropped to-
the nethermost hell. tfas5 81 81
Until then, welcome, thrice welcome, to-
any agency that has for its purpose thel
lessening OF intemperance, whether 1t be )
through the coffee wagon, the mercy seat
or the ballot box. But hail to tho glad day
whom 1t shall be no more!
desire to have 1t clearly understood that
the foregoing Is not in any way intended -
a criticism to the remarks OF Bishop Potter.
regard his remarks as intended to bo rs-5S
buke to the profsssed friends OF humanity
and the morals OF the people whose duty it
Is to restrict the saloon and to provide a
places Of respectable resort for the labortngsS
man. WILLIAM bRE
Editor-in- Chief OF Salvation Army Pub1tcas
tions in the United States. Ks.