The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-10-30
WORTHY OF THOUGHT.

view oy Hon c. c. Featherstone
Of Laurens, and who, in 1895,
made a strong fight for PROM
bition, as a candidate for GOV,
ernor. It will be remembered
the Prohibition convention put
forward as it's nominees Joel =.
Brurson for governor and G. c.
Feat erstone for lieutenant gov
ernor. Mr.. Brunson accepted
the nomination, but when the
campaign opened, he laid down
and cid not run. The result Of
Brunson's funk has forever and
ever put him out Of considera-
ton as a potent factor in Prohi-
bitioD circles. When Brunson
dropped the Prohibition banner,
and fed in disorder at the sight
of the enemy, Mr.. Featherstone
picked up the fallen flag: and so
gallantly did he lead the prohi-
bition hosts that he only lacked
a few votes of victory. There
fore the Judgment Of such a man
is entitled to consideration aud
it matters not how much we
disagree with him in some Of his
conclusions, we must admit that
in the main his reasoning is
statesmanlike, conservative and
patriotic. Every voter in the
State should read carefully what
Mr.. Featherstone says, and we
believe the views expressed by
him will have influence with the
general assembly when it con-
venes next year.
At present, we disagree with
MIR. F'eatherstone in his desire
to change the methodof securing
an expression from the voters
relating to the sale of liquor.
Under the law now, there is
ample provision for people to
be rid Of the sale of intoxicants,
whenever they have sufficient
public sentiment to rid them
selves Of it, but the plan sug-
gested first by Gen. G. Duncan
Bellinger, then by Senator J. G.
Otis. and now by Mr.. Feather
stone, is to enact a general pro
hibition law, with a provision to
permit such counties as wish to
sell intoxicants to vote them,
selves the privilege, in other
words. a reversal of the present
plan. Perhaps when we hear
the debate our mind may change,
but at present, we are frank to
say it looks to US like a case Of
tweedle-dee and tWeed1e DUN,
simply making changes for the
same result; if a general prohi-
bition law is enacted, with a pro-
vision such as Mr.. Featherstone
desires, and through the influence
of the W. @. T. y. the churches,
and the element now supporting
prohibition because of the defeat
Of the State dispensary, coun-
ty not having a healthy senti-
ment against the sale of liquor
but because of the Influences
stated, a majority cannot be Sc
cured at the ballot box. then
prohibition, which will not pro
hibit will follow; the country
flooded with liquor, the evil
effects remain, with the result,
the illicit dealers in liquor will
have full sway, the masses heav-
lily taxed, the schools checked
for lack offunds, and law and
order will be stricken blow
that It will take years to recover
from.
It is admitted by sincere prohi-
oitiolists, that to make prohibi-
ton d success a wholesome public
sentiment must be built, and,
without such a sentiment any
prohibition law would be a fail
ure. the politico- -prohibitionists,
are extreme and would go ahead
regardless Of results; to win out
istheir onlyidea, this class should
not have weight, they are grab
bing at the main chance, prohi-
bitionists now, because they see
the prohibition ship headed to
an Office haven, but let that ship
get ilto troublous seas, and in
danger of foundering, this crew
will scuttle and desert.
We contend that the ballot box
is not always an indication of a
true sentiment, because the cleo
tions already held in the State
show that a very small proper
ton of the voters voted; perhaps
the reason for this apparent IN
difference can be attributed to the
requirements to vote with regis
tration certificates, andltis known
that many voters do not keep
these certificates, or when an
election requiring these things
comes on. it is inconvenient to
look them up.
We believe however if orr
Democratic organization would
arrange to submit this liquor
question in the primary where
there is always a full white vote
with the usual pledge to abide
the result, it would come nearer
securing the will of the people
than the methods now employees;
we are notin favor Of prohibition
under present conditions, as long