The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-08
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE OF lNTEMPERANcE.

sion There is Only One Crime That
May BE Compared to the Liqncr
Traffic.
We shall, perhaps, be aided to real
lie more fully the evil of the liquor
traffic by comparing it with other
wrongs which are by the civilized
world regarded and treated as crimes.
But where in all the realm Of human
transgression, in all that dark and dis
NAL region, where lurk iniGuities of
deepest dye, asks writer in the New
Voice, shall we find crime which may
fittingly be brought into comparison
with this most degrading and ruinous
of all human pursuits?"
We cannot compare the liquor traffic
with arson, theft or robbery, for it is
the prolific parent of these. We can
not compare it with treason, for it is
itself high treason and the instigator
Of disloyalty and disobedlence 10 the
most benign human government.
We cannot compare it with piracy,
for it is the chief of murderers. 1t
murders without provocation. 1t de-
stroys not its enemies, but its friends.
Its cruel slaughter is not carried on
among those who seek its life, but
among those who faithfully guard and
protect it from harm; those who pour
their earnings into its Golfers and build
It up in strength and influence. Those
who sever earthly ties and sacrihce
cherished friendships in defense OF
this traffic are it's victims. Those who
defend this traffic by their influence
and their ballots are the ones most cer-
tain to fall at its hand.
We are sometimes aroused to just
Indignation at the physician whose un-
skilful treatment causes the death OF
his confding patient. He causes death
in a well-meant effort to preserve life
and restore health. But the rum de-
mon is Influenced by no such commend
able motives. To those who bring
plenty to his board he brings beggary
and starvation. To those who. seek to
pour happiness into his cup he pours
out in cepious draughts distilled dam
nation" No other murderer is so
heartless as is the liquor traffic. Should
the piteous wall of wife or child pierce
the ear of the would-be murderer as ne
seeks to slay husband and father his
bloodless weapon would fall from his
relaxing grasp, and he would turn with
loathing from the terrible crime. But
no tears or prayers or piteous pleadlnss
avail with the rum demon. HIS neart
is proof against such influences.
other murderers shrink from the
wailings of the bereft and cannot en-
counter their tears or entreaties. But
the rum murderer marches to the mu-
sic of the widows moan and sleeps
soundly upon the couch bought WIN
the price of the fathers blood and the
orphans bread.
Other murderers smite with sudden
destruction OF human nature would re-
volt at the crime, but he murders by
inches. He who Stays with sword or
dagger could not press the weapon WIN
slow and steady movement to Els VIC
TINS heart witnessing his struggles
and hearing his shreks and groans.
The hand would become unsteady ana
refuse to move, but this murderer is
ever unmoved by the fearful progress
of his work. He sees the regal form
trembling under his influence; he sees
the lustrous eye grow heavy and dull:
he marks the progress of his WORK III
the rapid waning Of intellect the loss
of health, ambition and character; he
hears the senseless gibberish OF bis un'
fortunate victim, but never stays MS
hand until his work Of death is COM
plete.
We hear of murders by methods too
horrid for contemplation, but IN no
form does death come so revolving Us
in the case of the victims of rum.
Nor can we compare the liquor
traffic with the social evil. for the fires
of that burning furnace are fed Dy
rum. and of all the known agencies for
recruiting the ranks of the great army
of fallen women the liquor traffic is no
toriously the most efficient and con-
slant in its activity.
Besides such 4 comparison is an un-
lust and cruel reproach upon our fall.
en- sisters who have been lured by that
traffic and its less iniquitous allies to
life of shame. 1t is to add INJURY 10
the righteous condemnation which
Christian civilization must pronounce
against them. Prostitution may be nj.
tingly compared with drunkenness put
not with drunkard-making.
Where, then. shall we find crime TO
be compared with the traffic in rum!
Is there such Il crime? Yes, there -
one and only Cne.