The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-05-31
THE PROHIBITION
CONFERENCE.
ISSUE MADE IN THE PRIMARY

Candidates Were Suggested for Gov.
crnor and Lieutenant Governor--A
Vigorous Address to tho People and
Straight Platform.
The State Prohibition conference
was held on the BIRD inst. in the hall
OF the House OF Representatives at
Columbia. Twenty-Five counties were
represented, and the conference went
ABOUT it's work in m earnest, business
like manner, while the discussions
were interesting ana the results har-
m0niOus.
The conference was called to order
by Mr.. A. &. Jones, Of Newt berry, chair
man OF the State executive committee
in the last campaign, and Mr.. ". N.
Berry, OF Darlington, was unanimously
chosen for temporary chairman OF the
meeting. Rev. Luther r. Gwaltney, OF
E1getield, was asked to lead in prayer,
and made q fervent petition that ali
may bo delivered from the slavery OF
appetite. He invoked the blessing of
God upon the conference, and that the
members might be shown the right
way to overcome the evils they had
met to combat.
for the honor conferred upon him is
the temporary presiding officer, aud
suggested the appointment Of a tenn
p0rary secretary. Prof. a. B. Stall
worth, OF Greenvillc, was chosen TO be
secretary, and Mr.. b. f.. Nicholson, Of
Edgetield, was made assistant secrc-
lary.
The list Of counties was called and
the delegates were enrolled 10y the
secretaries, after which the temporary
organization was made permanent
Mr.. Waddy g. Thomson, OF Lancaster,
was made vice chairman.
Mr.. J. II. Fullmer, OF Orangeburg,
moved that the conference hear the
address to the people which had been
prepared by Col. James ~. Hoyt, Of
Greenville, at the instance OF the
special committee in charge OF preli.
minary organization for the campaign
This motion prevailed ana Coz. lIOyt
then read the following address
AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
The 'rOhibitionists OF South Caro-
lima, in appealing to the Democratic
voters to join them in suppressng The
liquor traffic IN this State, deem it pro.
per and right that they should clearly
and uneQulvocally state their position
with reference to the business con
Quoted in the name Of the common
wealth, which thereby makes all lis
citizens responsible in measure for
the continuance OF this traffic, which
we believe to be IL crime against hu.
manity and i means Of degradation to
the peoplcik
In the first place We have chosen TO
make this contest at the Democratic
primary because we are members Of
this political organization, which is in
virtual control OF all the affairs of the
StaJe.
We have the right to raise this issue
within the party lines because the
machinery OF the State government
has been used to construct and operate
d system Of liquor selling, which hAs
for it's chief object the constant IN.
crease Of the consumption Of liquors by
the citizens OF the State, mainly with
the view OF making money out Of the
business in which the State is engaged
We would violate conscience and prove
recreant to duty AS good ciliZens if we
did not protest against this iniquitous
method OF obtaining money through
the sensual Indulgence and dcbauchery
Of our citizenship, and we are making
this protest in a fair, manly and con-
sistent way, appealing to the higher
instincts OF humanity, and pleading
for the social, domestic, moral, rcli.
gious and political elevation Of our
whole people. BY banishing the evils
now fastened upon the State in con-
sequence Of the system under which
the sale OF liquor is conducted, we
would protect our young manhood,
bring relief to wrongod and suffering
women and children, and inauguratc
an era which would eventually rid our
homes OF the blight following the use Of
liquor as 81 beverage. The State is
now encouraging this use Of liquor on
the part OF its citizens when it should
by every means discourage that which
wastes tho resources, para!yzes the en-
ergies and destroys the manliness OF
those who should be the shield and
protection Of our homes. The State Is
engaged for profit in q business that
strips the home Of comforts with rs
much certainty as q cyclone mows
down tho mighty forest: business
that opens the gates Of perdition to
lost souls; business that the genius
of hell has never fashioned q more
complete method OF recruiting It's
ranks; q business that has borne from
time immemorial the badge Of disgrace
in civilized and Christian communities,
and that is now exalted in the sovcr.
eign and enlightened ealth
of South Carolina to the dignity OF
government service and government
protection, 50 that our youth are
taught by tho example OF the govern,
ment itself that the manufacture and
sale OF liquor is an honorable and
desirable occupation. Whence came
this usurper OF governmental authori
ty? Did the citizens of the State de-
cree its introduction as "the best solu
lion OF the liquor question ?"
Eight years ago the PrOhi DtiOnists
OF South Carolina asked the privilege
OF testing public opinion as to whether
licensel saloons should be prohibited
within its borders. This request was
made OF the managers Of the Demo
cratic election machinery, who con
sented that separate and unOlficia
box might be placed at each poll where
every voter could cast ballot for on
against Prohibition. The opponents o
the license system were without ei1i
cient organization, but the voters vol
UNFAIRLY went to the polls and rolled
upa decided ma ajority against tho sa
looms. Political exigancies did no
favor o prOhibitory law, and although
=, ,,o ;n.It ~ of thp IIonso Of RoDrpso ia