The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-15
Wednesday, March Is, 1905.
Our Good Intentions Go for Naugh,

Our Good Intentions Go for Naught.
1t is q matter OF sincere regret that our
much respected contemporary. the local edi-
tor OF the Associate Reformed Presbyterian, Is
not 80 we'll pleased with our effort to 30 far
open his eyes that he might, In urging a
good cause. see how to be just to those of his
fellow.citizens who differ from him In opin-
lon but who are as conscientious as he is him.
self.
We thought that he was laboring under 8
misapprehension as to the best methods OF
advancing bis favorite cause. and, in perfect
friendship, we endeavored to show him that
respectful contention for a righteous principle
is much more effective than irrelevant and
harmful personal filings.
We thought to show him that the sincere
and conscientious advocate makes q mistake
In Understanding the virtues OF those
whose positions he assails. Even If, brothers
be In error, they may still be worthy Of re-
spect
1t is at least, impolitic 70 assume 10 ones self
an excess OF the very virtues with which We
would charge our n%eighbors to be deficient.
The Press and Bannerh onors and respects
the local editor Of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian tor the courage OF his convic-
lions on a public question about which the
wisest and the best man on earth might err.
And we commend him for all sincerity Of pur.
pose. What we tried TO impress upon him
was, that when INDUCING in dissgreeable
personalities, he was neglectlng the main Is
sue, begging the question 90 10 speak. That
the constant nsgging OF those who do not see
az he does was not In good form, and was
hardly In accord with the Christian standards
which usually govern his conduct
Iii all right to advocate prohibition. 1t Is
even permissible to advocate temperance III
the use OF intoxlcants as we'll as In the use OF
language.
The Press and Banner Is a defender OF the
dispensary, and is SO with apologies to no
man. nor TO any set of men.
The Press and Banner believes that every
community has the right to close the dispen
sary whenever they desire to do 80. and We
feel sure that their wishes will be respected.
The Press and Banner has no hesitation In
saying that when community closes q dis
pensary, that community should enforce the
prohibitory law In its own bounds. We can-
not see how q real prohibitionist can object to
the enforcement OF the Law. We cannot see
how 1t IL TO be enforced without money and
we do not ace how any intelligent being can
expect other communities to furnish consta-
biss to look to the suppression of the traffic
In liquor In such counties as close their dis
pensaries.
The dispensary gives Us prohibition for
twelve hours In every twenty-four hours, and
We do not know why any temperance man
wants to throw away hat advantage.
The dispensary sells nc liquor on Sunday.
Everybody knows that the back doors Of the
barn were not always closed on Sunday, n
that the blin tiger doors are never shut.
The dispensary sells no liquor on credit.
The dispensary keeps no inviting place for
people who perhaps find q welcome nowhere
else, except at home.
Instead of 800 barrooms. we have but about
los dispensaries.
Instead OF 5000 men engaged In selling Ii
Quor In the barrooms, we have perhaps 500 In
the dispensaries.
Instead of occupying 800 houses as places for
the sale Of liquor. we have now about 1OS.
Instead OF such drunkenness every Satpr-
day and every sale day al would keep ladies
away from the public square, except in ur-
gent cases. they come now one day as we'll as
another.
The Press and Banner believes that various
communities will vote ont the dispensaries.
A union Of forces Will bring about this result.
When moonshiners, license men, tip
piers and prohibitionists unite. they can
do almost anything. We believe in the rule
Of the majority. When q majority Of the citi.
Gems desire q change in the liquor traffic they
should have 1t.
The Press and Banner believes that the DIFF
ferent diviaions Of the people are equally.
honest In their opinions.
The moonshiners, the license advocate, the
tipplers, and the prohibitionist see things
from q different standpoint, but all hate the
~dispensary. The dispensary is sustained by
those whe believe 1t to be the best plan Of
controlling the traffic Of liquor. The dispen-
sary has broken up the habit OF treating.
The habit OF treating was the nursery for the
making Of drunkards. and 1t is fair to assume
that when the existing crop Of drunkards
pass away, the sight Of a drunken man
win be q scene to be wondered at.