Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-08-17
a QUESTION OF MUCH GRAVITY

question Thursday August DIST Bt is
to be decided, then, by honest ballots, at
the polls whether liquor shall be sold
within the limits of Sumter county,
openly under city license, or whether
the sale shall be, as it has been for the
past fSurI years, under the cover of
revenue license, and where the vilest
decoction of sour mash and alcohol Is
hid out in the dives CT the city and
iungles of the county and dealt cut to
all classes, young and old, by dealers
who neither have toIerence for law or
respect for their fellow man, thinking
only as they do to coin the almighty dol
lar at the sacrifice OF honor, principle
and common decency.
Again wears called upon to settle this
question. TAe Times Recorder, profit
ing by past experience, had hoped TO
take ne part IN this warfare, but it is
very difficult for a public journal to
stay clear of issues walch involve the
life and prosperity of the people 1t cir
culates among, and it is cowardg and
pnsillapimous for au editor, even
though it be a womas, to be unmindfnl
of duties which undoubtedly rest
within the jurisdiction of his or her
profession.
OF course it matters not how stead
fast the editor may stand and endeavor
to trent both factions with fairness and
irApartiality, there are some who will
deal out their wrath and cling to the
idea that they are seIf-sonstituted
guardians of the people and they are
entitled to use the most Infamous meas
ures to obtain their desires results,
claiming that the end always justities
the means.
1t is a question every man sAsuld be
allowed to settle with his own vote,
according to his own conscience
The Times Reorder has hesltated to
enter We discussion of so grave mat
ter, for there is no dsubt in its opinion
but what there are maay sides to the
liquor question upon which deyolvea
the rights, liberty and souls Of men.
IF there could be law enacted to
prevent the sale Of liqWor over this
broad world and that law waP, or coaId
be, enforced, what a great, happy pros
porous nation we might be. But it IS
not in the power of msrtal man to
enact such a statute, ans neither has Ii
been ia the power of those in authorl-
! ty to stop the sale of liquor to the Peo-
pie of Americas and Sumter COUNTY,
The question at last resolves itself into
an open and shat qRestion--sh shall we &c
back iEto the retail business, or shall
we continue the Wholesale business
and patronage of the blind tigers?
-Four years ago Sumter county de-
cided by SMALL vote to Try the et
fisiency of prohibition Once moE'
the issue is presented.
1t is not the purpose of the HimeI
Recorder to discuss the merits or de
merits of prohibitiop, or that of hisl
license, or the dispensary An impair
tiaI constituency Will surely bring t.
the discharge of an important duty al
intelligent regard of the general veal
But it is the desire to ask that III thu
| better cOnduct af the campaign every
good man shall keep within the bouaal
OF true citizenship. More especially
would we press the injunction that NJ
minister of the Gospel SO far forget his
high mission as to convert the sacred
desk into the political platform.
The cause of temperance is the cause
of every member of society, but the
loving SAVER did not intend that the
holy church Of has establishing should
be made the special propaganda of 6
LEGAL canvass. Do not confound the
banner OF the cross with the drum-beai
Of the shyster
If one preacher can cry out from the
sanctuary prohibition is the remedy,
vote then accordingly" 50 can the dis
pensary pastor proclaim from the sane
pious instinct that his medicine is pre-
ferable, while the third man Of Goo
will ehiae both fer their ignorance
His care for the mslady is strict higL
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