The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-24
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE Of lNTEMPERANcE.

Which is as Whitening an Indictment
of the Liquor Traffic as History Records
Over one hundred and sixty years
go Lord Chesterfield delivered in the
English House Of Lords an indictment
against the liquor traffic that has not
been surpassed by the most radical
prOhibitioniSt of the twentieth CEN
fury. 1t was delivered while discuss
ing a bill for Licensing the Sale of, Gin
on February Fl, '1743.
The law before US, my Lords, seems
to be the effect of that practice Of
which it is intended likewise to be
the cause, and to be dictated by the
liquors of which it so effectually pro-
notes the use; for surely it never be-
fore was conceived, by any man en-
trusted with the administration of pub.
lie affairs, to raise taxes by the de-
struction Of the people.
Nothing, my Lords, but the destruc-
ton of all the most laborious and use
full part of the nation a be expected
from the license which is now pro-
posed to be given, not only to drunk
enness, but to drunkenness Of the
most detestable and dangerous kind;
to the abuse, not only of intoxicating,
but of poisonous liquors.
Luxury. my Lords, is to be taxed,
but vice prohibited, let the difficulties
in executing the law be what they will.
Would you lay a tax on the breach Of
the ten commandments; would not
such a tax be wicked and scandalous;
because it would imply an indulgence
to all those who could pay the tax?
The noble Lord has been pleased
kindly to inform us that the trade Of
distilling is very extensive; that it en-
ploys great numbers; and that they
have arrived at an exquisite skill. and
therefore-note well the consequence
the trade of distilling is not to be
discouraged.
Once more, my Lords, allow me to
wonder at the different conceptions Of
different understandings. 1t appears
to me that since the spirits which the
distillers produce are allowed to en-
feeble the limbs and vitiate the blood,
to pervert the heart, and obscure the
intellects, that the number of distillers
should be no argument in their favor,
for I never heard that q law against
theft was was repealed or delayed be-
cause thieves were numerous. 1t ap-
pears to me, my Lords, that If so for
midable a body are confederated
against the virtue or the lives Of their
fellow citizens, it is time to put an
end to the havoc, and to interpose,
while it is yet in u power, to stop
the destruction.
So little, my Lords, am I affected
with the merit of the wonderful skill
which the distillers are said to have
attained, that it is, in my opinion. no
faculty of great use to mankind to
prepare ~palatable poison; nor shall I
ever contribute my interest for the re-
prieve Of a murderer because he has,
by long practice, obtained great dex-
terity in his trade.
If their liquors are so delicious that
the people are tempted to their own
destruction, let us at length, my Lords,
secure them from these fatal draughts,
by bursting the walls that contain
them. Let US crush at once these art
lists in slaughter, who have reconciled
their countrymen to sickness and to
ruin, and spread over; the pitfalls of
debauchery such bats as cannot be
resisted.
This new method may indeed have
upon different constitutions a different
operation-it may destroy the lives of
some and the senses of others; but
either of these effects will answer the
purposes of the Ministry, to whom it is
Indifferent, provided the nation be.
comes insensible whether pe~stilence or
lunacy prevails among them. Either
mad or dead the greatest part of the
people must quickly be. or there is no
hope of continuance of the present
Ministry. For this purpose, my Lords,
what could have been invented more
efficacious than an establishment of a
certain number of shops at which
poison may be vended-poison so pre-
pared as to please the palate, while it
wastes the strength, and only kills by
intoXication? From the first instance
that any of the enemies of the Minis
try shall grow clamorous and turbu-
lent, a crafty hireling may lead him
to the Ministerial slaughter-house, and
ply him with their woodworking
liquor till lie is no longer able to speak
or think; and, my Lords, no man can
be more agreeable to our Ministers
than he that can neither speak nor
think. except those who speak without
thinking.