The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-21
A Good Brothers, Error.

a
The local editor of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian seems to roll as sweet morse
under his tongue the lamentable occurrence
which took place In this town some years
ago whereby good men lost their lives.
Everybody here Is sorry for that unfortu-
nate affair. We couldn't forget 1t, If we
would, but we wouldn't open gaping wounds.
five could.
AS far as this newspaper is able to under
stand, there is no difference Of opinion be-
tween Editor Galloway and the most temper
ate people OF this town in reference to the use
or abuse of liquor. But the manner of dealing
with It, or controlling the traffic, is one thing,
and the use or abuse Of intoxicants is quite
another.
People In this town who are communicates
and officers of our churches-men who, TO the
best Of their ability, exemplify the life and
character OF our Saviour, and who are
regarded with the greatest respect, are.
we believe, unit in saying that the dispen.
sary Is the best way to govern the liquor
traffic.
These good men live right here in the
town, while Mr.. Galloway lives in a distant
town.
While Editor Galloway is Just as con.
scientious as any man at Abbeville, yet his
chances of informing himself on an import
ant question are not equal to the opportunities
ofgentlemen at Abbeville. Editor Galloway
is perfectly sincere in his declarations which
are in effect, that all the good men OF Abbe-
Vile are mistaken, and he alone is right.
In times past when 1t was possible to re-
duce the hours Of sale Of intoxicants at the
dispensary. our good brother was silent, and
would not help. When the Press and Banner
sought to reduce the evils by opening the
dispensary later in the morning and closing
It earlier in the evening, our good brother
stood aloof.
None are 80 blind as those who are de-
termined not to see. II our good brother
would examine into the facts, he would see
that he is in the wrong pew. He Is aligned
with few good people. who are not better
informed than himself, while the great mass
Of those who join him in his fight
against the dispensary are pronounced
friends OF the license system. The vote
not so long ago for the candidates who were
opposed to the dispensary included q few
temperance men, nearly all the whiskey
drinkers, and large per cent. Of those who
favored license.
The few temperance men who led In
the crusade against the dispensary made a
strange alignment.
Our good brother at Due West is sincere
and conscientious in bis warfare. The con-
scientious man, who is not informed on the
subject OF which he writes, may do much
harm when most anxious to do good.
While Editor Galloway is sincere in all
that be says, yet he jumps at conclusions
and will not hear the testimony OF others
who are actuated by as high motives as him.
self. and who have much better means OF
forming q correct conclusion.
Nobody doubts the evil resulting from the
sale OF LIQUOR. The only question is, how
shall the traffic be managed?
The public mind Is not ready for prohibi.
tion.
This Is proved In 8 thousand ways. The
dispensary law was In the Courts for years,
and an association Of liquor dealers In the
United States. we believe, encouraged its
violation and furnished the sinews OF war, to
test in Court every contestable section OF the
law. The liquor dealers cared nothing for
prohibitory laws which could not be en-.
forced, but when 1t ca me TO enacting dis
pensary law which really restricted the
traffic In liquor, the liquor men Of other
States rose in arms against II, and fought II
in the Courts for years. The license news
papers encouraged the warfare.
As good and as upright man as Editor
Galloway Is, ought to inform himself. In his
conscientiousness is found the strongest rea
son for directing that conscience correctly. A
good man who oonscientiously holds TO error
"a nal of xph
he really seeks to do good.
Wei know that Editor Galloway is sincere
in his fight against the dispensary. Pure in
heart, be should see that his head is right.
Under the dispensary law, the State OF
South Carolina has only ITO dispensaries
which are opened only during sunlight.
Under the license system, and up to the
last night OF that method OF dealing with
liquor, there were 800 houses in the State
where liquor could be legally sold.
The 800 bar.rooms, 1t is estimated, gave
employment to 5000 men.
The dispensary gives employment to per.
haps 300 men and 200 women-the women be-
ing employed In the bottling department.
Barrooms were seldom closed until ten
O'Clock at night. They were generally open
cd before sunrise. Sometimes the back doors,
or side doors, were not closed all day on Sun
day.
The barrooms afforded loaing places from
which few were excluded.
Under the dispensary, treating is thing Of
the past.
II will not be seriously contended that ITO
dispenssries. open in daylight only and en-.
ploying 800 men. can be as injurious to the
public morals as 9s9 barrooms and 5000 keep
Of the same, which saloons were open a great
er part OF the "a hours.
As long as the Christian temperance people
hold TO their present convictions, no fears
need be entertained Of our having pro.
bitory laws. And 1t is a pity that the few
misguided temperance brethren that lead
the whiskey element do not inform them
selves, and then lend their influence for
shorter hours OF the dispensary. and for sever.
or limitations upon the sale OF intoxicants.