Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-14
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.
Men Who Stand For Right Should
Show Their CoIerS.

1t is rumored that unusual interest
in the approaching county elections
is being taken by the liquor and gam
bling element, and that large sums Of
money are being sent into the state
in the interest Of the liquor business.
Just how muh truth there IL in these
rumors we are not prepared to say,
but these rumors have come to US so
frequently and from so many differ
ent sources that there seems some
ground for believing them. No doubt
such influences have been felt In pre-
vious elections, but 1t Is altogether
probable that the determined fight be-
ing made in favor Of prohibition, and
in favor Of enforcing the laws against
gambling and the Illicit traffic Of "
quor, has awakened the friends Of
these evils and we may be sure that
wherever they can they will do every
thing possible to elect officers who
either will be friendly to them, or at
least Indifferent In the enforcement
of the laws.
The friends Of law and good order
should be on the alert. Enough has
been said, and enough Is already seen
at the campaign meetings to indicate
that a desperate fight Is on hand. The
state never needed better men In Of
flee, and 1t has been said repeatedly
that not since 1875 has good govern
ment in South Carolina been In greater
danger. In many instances 1t is more
than a choice Of men, for there are
men making the race this year who
stand for great moral issues. Where
the choice is between two men, one
Of them a gentleman Of high moral
character, who has been faithful to
the most sacred trusts committed to
him, and who stands for the suppress
sion Of the liquor traffic and lawless-
ness, and the other q profane swear
er, lacking in moral stamina, and is
the friend of the liquor and gambling
element, 1t does seem that the best
man should have the general and
hearty support Of all right thinking
people. and the unanimous support
voters in South Carolina have II In
their power to settle many Of these
issues II they would only support good
men for office. Can they afford to do
less?
If the victory is gained by the liquor
and gambling element the church
members will be largely to blame.
and the general decentralization that
Is sure to follow will be most serious
ly felt in the churches. We cannot
believe that the majority Of the vo-
leTS VI lIllS Sldle WISH W see HlcH VI
doubtful morality filling the Offices
but under the present primary sys-
tenn sometimes the results are sur
prising, and when 1t is too late to pre-
vent 1t, the voters are forced to vote
for bad men in the general election,
or not vote at all.
1t is high time for the people to
wake up and get busy and make
themselves felt In the interest Of law
and order and decency. Those who
believe In civic righteousness, In the
highest type of citizenship, and in the
good name of the state should vote,
and vote for men Of good character,
the very best men who are offering
for the offices. When 1t is generally
supposed that a determined fight Is
being made in support Of unworthy
men and corrupting influences, 1t is
time for the pulpit, the press, and
every good citizen to speak out and
act promptly and courageously. The
time in which to work Is short, when
it is considered that those who are
against the highest interests Of the
people have been busy for many
months.-Baptist Courier.