The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-12
Are We ALI Agreed:

1t may be that we could not discern from
the reading OF the article from the York
Vile Enquirer, as copied into the Charles
ton Pest, which was utterance by DR.. Stokes
and which was expression Of the reporter
Of the Yorkville Enquirer. Our protest a.
that piece was against the utterance and no,
against either DIR. Stokes or the Enquirer
personally, for both of whom we nave the
highest respect.
We thoroughly agree with the "local op.
ton" demand. and do not understand how
anybody could ppose SO reasonable and so
fair a demand or request.
II our good brother and others who are
supporting the Brice bill will state the pro.
position fairly we will give as hearty support
TO his demand as he himself or others could
give.
But when those who are fighting the dis
pensary make statements which are mis-.
leading, 1t is against the incorrectness OF
speech to which we object.
1t is astonishing TO US that the alleged
friends OF prohibition cannot have an idea OF
their own, and for their battle cry must de.
pend entirely upon the misrepresentation
of the liquor element. Immediately after
the adoption Of the Brice bill, the cry was
raised that prohibition counties must be
taxed for the privilege of doing way with
the dispensary, or words to that effect. And
although we think some prohibittonists had
intelligence enough to know the incorrect.
ness OF the assertion they copied or repeated
the misleading statement.
Now, We assert without any fear Of success.
full contradiction, that the tax levied on
counties which vote out the dispensary,
was for the purpose Of suppresslng the ille-
gal sale OF liquor in these counties. And
we believe that every intelligent opponent Of
the dispensary knows that the histoay Of
past proves that in counties which have no
dispensary, liquor will bes old illegally, II
there are no officers charged with the enforce
ment Of law against illegal sale.
Ifintelligent men think that other coun-
ties should pay the expense Of whiskey con-
stables In dry ties, then their contention
is ridiculously absurd.
We know OF only one man In his State
who has made a success by abusing every.
thing and everybody. Success cannot often
be gained by Misrepresentation and abuse
We would, therefore. without being asked 10
do so, offer this suggestion to the prohibi.
~tionists.
Treat people fairly and with consideration,
An appeal to reason Is much more effective
than Misrepresentation.
Let that variety of pohibitionists who may
think that they are the embodiment OF all
wisdom and all purity, not forget that others
however ignorant and however far they may
fall short Of the standards set up by any varie
ty OF political prohibitionists still have 9
little seifconceit. When their hair is rubbed
the wrong way they may express opposition
to 80 pure and so good a man as a blind pro-
hibitionist who fights the battle of blind
tigers.
II the pulpit would stay out of politics, and
look more to the moral and spiritual welfare
OF the people, they might be more Influential
in teaching people to be temperate and
moral. II their fiocks are taught to live
holier and purer lives, the preachers labor
would be abundantly rewarded.
1t is with pleasure that We give place to fht
letter Of DR.. Stokes. We have a high regart
for him personally, but We think he Il
making a mistake In leaving the holy
tenn pie which has been dedicated to the wor
ship of the Lord our God, to dabble in thu
dirty political pool.