The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
A Plunderer of Homes.

A trade which aourishes upon the ruins
of it's supporters, which derives its rev.
enucs from it's plunder Of homes and from
the dcfrauding Of helpless childhood, from
the degradation of manhood; which re-
quires for its prosperity the injury OF the
community; which ministers to every
vile and vicious passion and propensity,
cmbezzlers and gamblers and wife-beaters
and murderers; which brutalizes and de-
grades all who are brought in contact with
it, cannot claim the respect, and assuredly
ought not to be able to claim the encour-
agement of the community.
1t indeed indicates the extent of the
prevalent decentralization that q business
so inherently infamous, so unquestionably
against public policy, should have been
permtted to establish itself so firmly that
those who pursue it are convinced, not
only that it is legitimate, but that it is
entitled to protection and respect"
But upon what ground do these bold
claims rest?
What constitutes legitimate, respecta-
BILE business?
Is a business which debauches, impover-
ishes and Injuries the public, either the
one or the other?
When such questions have to be asked
it is time that they were settled definitely.
At present rum selling is technically le-
gtimate.
That is to say. it is not unlawful.
But since its consequences are what we
sec, it would be an abuse of language to
term it respectable.
But it does not stop at these insolent
pretensons.
1t tells the people it has the political
powers, that it is organized, and that it
will fight reform and temperance with the
votes OF the unfortunates it has imbruited.
This, then, is what the community has
to face.
1t must either submit to the political
supremacy of the rum sellers, it must
either accept their government, it must
either bow to their standard Of morals
and declare them to be entitled to "pro:
lection and respect, or it must make up
its mind to a conflict, the aim and end OF
which shall be the overthrow Of this abom.
Unable abuse, and the protection Of the
masses against the worst foe of civliza
tion.
They will oppose any reform whatever.
They deny the rights OF the people tc
protect themselves at all.
They claim tie right for themselves tt
poison and brutalize and degrade all whom
they can reach.
They think they will be supported in
this by the public they fleece and injure.
and upon the persistence of whose animal
appetites they coarsely ejGculate.
Hitherto they had unhappiy been JUS
titled in this dependence.
The men who had most cause to loathe
the business have been among the first to
uphold and fortify it.
But change IS even now passing over
public opinion.
1t is becoming more and more generally
recognized that int2mperance is at the bot.
tom Of two thirds Of the social, political
and moral evils that retard progress and
perplex and harass the legislator.
1t is being comprehended that an effec.
tive franchise requires sobriety and intclli-
gence in the voter.
In fact, it is being realized that the fu.
ture of the country depends largely upon
mastering the elements which have their
origin in and derive all their strength
from rum, and which initiate at every
turn against good government, pure social
conditions, religion and progressively
York Tribune.