The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-01
Not Argument.

the names OF the men ana now tney Voteu
and the company they keep we give the vote
In detail"
AS we have a perfectly friendly feeling for
our Due West brother we venture 10 make
the above quoted lines the subject of COM
Inent, which comment will apply as we'll TO
some others as TO the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian.
without commenting on the absence OF the
evidences Of The Christian graces and without
noting the total lack OF argument or excuse
for unkind and uncalled for hiugs or insin-
nations, we would suggest that filings at
peoples motives or the resort to innueudoes
10 con vey ideas which 1t would be impolitic
TO express In terms hardly comes up TO our
ideals OF the proper standard CT elthef
secular or religious Journalism. A man
may differ In opinion from the Associate Re-
formed Presbyterian and still be as consclen-
tious, rs pure In motive and as intelligent In
the discharge OF his duty TO God and man as
those who make nings at him.
The insertion OF nettles in a newspaper
from week to week clrcumscribes the popu-
larity and the usefulness OF a Newspaper.
Even disinterested readers do not like 10 see
Others treated unfairly nor do they like TO see
anybody's good name needlessly' assalleo.
There nettles, in the case OF the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian. do the local editor
personally a great. injustice. They do not
reflect his II ue character. but place him In a
wrong light before the public. Personally, he
/, as genial, as fair, as good humored and
evinceR as much Of the Christian graces az
any man could wish. But when, Instead OF
argument or reasonable contention, he re-
sorts to the throwing Of vitrlol through bis
paper he 10 even more unjust 10 himself than
10 others. The throwing Of vitriol IL not
Brother Galloway's normal predispositlon.
And then the assailing OF peoples conduct,
and the utilizing OF men as something else
thar friends 10 far reaching In Its effect.
For instance: The general reader, II dis
pleased with any newspaper, Is disposed to
hold tho city In which it is prin ted RESPONSE
BILE In a less or a greater degree, and the dis
liBe for any city or town thus brought about
by newspapers, is not without results.
But to bring the matter nearer home. Does
our good brother at Due West believe that be
can continually nag people, and make ire
quent insinuations that they are not AZ good
or as patriotic az he Is without doing injury,
not only to his own influence and usefulness,
but TO the church and to the college whose
sentiments and interests he is supposed TO
favor?
ltmatters not TO what exalted degree OF
religion a man may reach, he Is still In a
measure, expected TO observe some of the
ordinary rules which generally govern good
mon. Religion does not release one from
the obligation to be civil even to those
whose religion or moral qualities may not
measure up to the high standards which
may nave been set up for them by the
sanctined.
While insinuations and 1.-THE better than
thou expressions may be all right enough
With those who may much nearer approach
the presence Of the Author OF our being, yet
~insinuations against others and implied
claims OF superiority over others 10 regarded
10 civil circles as not In good form.
The fact 10, that 1t would be exceedingly
hard 10 find a jury Of our country men who
would award greater patriotism or more
purity OF motive to one side than to the
other OF the 'dispensary question in this
State. All men are patriotic. All men love
their country. But on questions OF public
policy they may differ widely. 1t Is therefore
10 doubtful taste, even II 1t be in accord with
Christian ethics, for one side to claim a
monopoly OF the virtues while denying the
same TO others.
For Instance: AS a rule, the supporters Of
the dispensary law we believe are temperance
people, who by that law hope TO reduce the
drink habit. Through state control OF the
liquor trafno treating is no longer . practice,
aud. this school OF iutemperance has been
stopped, aud temperance people generally
are opposed TO the restoration ofthe treating
habit which usually prevails where liquor
Is sold.
In the ranks OF the oppc nents Of the dispen-
sary law may be found here and there q
lonely prohibltionlst with nearly every
friend OF the license law.
All those who hate the restrictions now
placed on the sale Of liquor, are opposed TO
the dispensary law. A few s~o-oalled prohihi.
tlonistsNthere Is no prohibition parity
seem to take advantage OF the strength OF The
liquor element to advance. as they think,
th cir idealistio scheme Of prohibition.
This We believe 10 q true statement OF the
facts as they exist.
Surely hone but . dreamer could think that
prohibition will ever be an accomplished
ldCL IN LQl6 SLale. Luz 10" pIOuioltiOuists
may however muster enough Of the liquor
element to break up the prohibition which
we now have from sunset TO sunrise, but we
will never have prohibition. The momen
the license ad vocates are In power the few
misguided prohibitionists who have assumed
to lead them will be thrown overheard, and
the license system will then follow. Already
high license has been advocated by those
who are giving. their influence with the
prohibitionists against the dispensary.
High license is the worst and the most
ubiquitous Of All the forms Of controlling the
liquortrafac. II gives the rich saloontst q
monopoly. 1t offers the greatest lnducement
to fraud and e1tortion. 1t shuts out the
competition which Is furnished by the
poorer s%aloonists. 1t Is giving special
privileges TO the rich, and 1t is denying
equal rights to the poor. We are told that in
Greenwood even the blind tigers vote for
prohibition.
In 1892 Abbeville voted for prohibition, 200 :;
against prohibition, 8. II there is objection
today to the dlspensary by the temperance
people We are not informed Of the fact.
Tha temperance people and tho church