Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-07-25
their parents with whiskey on
their breath. Methinks that after
that lecture. followed by the object

lesson in temperate drinking, Mr..
Temperance, would have to do
like the Arab, "fold his tent and
silently steal away, or fee with
sill possible haste to "skipper's
Georgia" FOR refuge.
Mr.. Temperance questions>ou
statement to the effect that whis-
key is the worlds greatest curse,
expressing the belief that dis
honesty is q greater curse than
whiskey." While we would not
condone or minimize the sin or
curse of dishonesty, we believe
still that wbiskey is not only a
greater curse but that it is the
sfeatest enemy to Heaven and the
greatest ally Of He'll to-day. Whls-
key is the parebt evil, SO to speak.
1t is estimated that seventy-fve
per cent of al crime is traceable
directly or indirectly to whiskey.
Statistics tell US that eigbty-two
per ceLt of the offspring of nom
drinkers are sound, while only
seventeen per cent of those of ine-
briates are healthy. We believe that
no other sin or evil or curse, by
whatever name called, not even
dishonesty, Is so disastrous in its
consequences. Lack of space pre-
cludes the possibility OF discus
sing this point at greater length;
We will only quote very learned
writer, who has said: "Of all
vices take heed of drunkenness
Other vices are but the fruits OF
disordered affections; this dis
orders, nay banishes, reason
Other vices but impair tire SOU ;
tbisl demolishes her two chief
faculties, the understanding end
The will.-Other vices make their
own way; this makes way for all
vices.-He that is drunkard is
qualified for all vice."
Mr.. Temperance says We will be able
i to estimate the whiskey evil more eX-
actly by comparing the number OF
drunkards in township with the en-
tire population of that township.
This information is not at hand. we
sincerely wish it were. We do know,
however, Chat for some years nearly
$4,000 were annually expended FOR
liquor in Edgefield county, which Is
by no means wealthy county. THIS
enormous sum indicates that great
numbers must have been addicted TO
the excessive use of Intoxicating
liquors.
We are not informed as to the
number of drunkards who "neglect
and maltreat their families" but we
have in our minds eye woman resi-
ding in this county, whose home NE
has, through strong drink, been made
a yeritable hell. She is widow now,
her husband having met premature
death through the excessive use OF
whiskey. He, possibly, was one
who received "toddy" at his mothers S
hands. This good woman-G od bless
her, for a greater martyr never lived
had valuable property before her
marriage but it was in time deVourea
by the demon. Alcohol. In addition 70
this, their home was heavily mort.
gagged. And sad to say, this good
1 woman's troubles have only half be-
gun, for, besides one or two uneduca-
ted daughters, the father left two sons
who are confirmed drunkards, having
followed in his footsteps. Other SINH
lar cases could be cited, but this sui
fees. AS long as such things are pos
sible, so long our voice will be raised
against the sale of ofintoXicants in every
form,
ssThe abuse of whiskey, Mr.. Editor
lis . great evil" Yes, Mr.. Temper
ance, it isl a Yery great eeyil: Hence,
EsWe4 are 81 5itssm0rtal ldenemy. Granting
5hat the s.abuss,,' t hat lis The evil,
lis it not, after all. WHISKEY that
makes drunkards and causes untold
woe, sorrow, strife and blood shed ?
Then, that being true, and, as you'say,
ssthe transition from temperance TO
lintemperance being exceedingly easy"
is there not ground, just ground, Mr.
/ Temperance, for the efforts that are be-
ing put forth, both here and elsewhere,
for It's suppression.
| If the lawmakers of South Caroline,
seeing the great number Of fatalities
that resulted from the use of toy pls-
tolls, were justlfiable in passinga a law
prohibiting their sale, or even giving
Them away; are prohibitionists not all
the more justi6able in their endeavors
to suppress the sale of intoxicating
LIQUORS, which leads to the destruction
of the souls as we'll as the bodies OF
men.
Mr. Temperance, we. concede the
right to every man to have his own
views on the liquor question:. and we
respect him and his views, however
much they may differ from ours; but
we believe, at the same time, that if
| his drinking, even tenperately causes
his son or neighbor, who possibly are
weaker than he, to drink to their in
liury, then he should surrender that
right. Why, you even say, MIR.
TEMPERANCE, that we are required to
surrender" any and. all "rights when
ever we are convinced that the highest
good of our fellow-men demand it."
Will not every ingenious man admit
that "the highest good of our fellow
men, would be promoted immeasura-
bly, by plotting out utterly and entire.
lily allintoxicating liquors ? Then, if
every individual would surrender his
right to drink, in order to promote The
good Of his fellow-men, the barrooms
would close their doors for lack of
patrons and the fires under the dis
tllleries would be extinguished to be
lighted no more.
We admit that seltfshness ranks
among the banes of the age but if peo-
pie will spend their earnings seltishly,
would you not rather see men, both
young and old, purchase "Easter hats,
fine Clothes and rubber-tired buggies,"
than intoxicating liquor? One hum
dred dollars invested in good buggy
will add to the comfort and pleasure
of inmates of the home, but like sum
spent for liquor by the head of the
family would doubtless lead to neglect