The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-30
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE OF INTEMPERANcE.

The whisky Rosd-Many Millions OF Men
Walk This Path to Destruction-rhs
Able Man Who Drinks Temporarily
Starts Many on the Path.
We are we'll aware that among those
who drink great many lead lives OF sen
control. Drink does not conquer them
1t gives excitement without serious Gam
age. 1t may even make life really more
agreeable.
There are thousands of self-controlled
drinkers-self-control for the present
at least.
Each Of these is apt to look upon him
self as proof Of the fact that drinking u
not necessarily harmful.
But each Of these, especially il a con-
spicuously successful man, Is one OF the
most dangerous men in the community. :,
Weak young men follow the example OF
those whom they admire. ,,.
II the successful business man drinks,
and controls himself, his weak clerk fol,
lows his example ahd does not control
himself.
Many g poor creature has gone to jail,
Indignantly prosecuted by his employer.
by the very man from whom he learned
his bad habits. -,
We write to-day to urge upon successful
men, upon all temperate drinkers, TINS
fact: :.s
way Of others. -,
II YOU have q son of fifteen you would
be furious at any man who should tell him
that a little whisky would not hurt him.
You would call the giver Of such advice
villain. But many a grown man, weak IN
character, lacks the moral strength OF o
young boy.
Remember that what you can stand,
Others cannot stand. When drink Is dis.
cussed, think of the harm 1t does. think
Of the women and children made miserable
Sys;. it. think hn ns5ths Of the pte'' slavery that it
Never say q good word for whisky or
for any OF its fellow troublers OF civiiiza'
ton. 49,,
You are q responsible part Of the human
race. You have no right TO be Indifferent
| to the effect of your example on others.
| The greater your own strength OF chagac.
ter the more followers you will have. Lead
them on the path that will keep them free
| from harm.
You are powerful and fearless. Do not
on that account encourage the weak 70
pick O quarrel with an enemy that will
vanquish them.
Perhaps you ask:
Do you expect to stop the sale Of strong
drinks! Have you any idea that men will
ever stop drinking whisky!
To that we must answer No.
While millions of men live dull, unsatis:
fed lives, they viii seek and find artificial
| excitement.
While competition, overwork, strained
nerves and ignorance Of right living tor:
ment mankind, strong drink will be used
to give false rest, artificial aid to digestion
and to 1ct down" the nervous tension.
We have NO hope of reforming humanity.
Il cannot be reformed. It must be made
strong enough and happy enough to turn
aside from the stimulant that it Will not
longer need.
We have no hope of wholesale reform.
You cannot take medicine from the sick,
,r whisky from the miserable in spirit.
But you can give good suggestions, you
can plant good resolutions in the breasts
Of many. And that we hope to do.
We discuss temperance on this page
md ask each reader to decide what is best
for him.
Never mind why others drink. Wha.
is best for you? -,
Never mind the good excuses which Ger
tain drunkards offer-what excuse can you
offer il you fail to give yourself chance:
New York Journal.