The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-23

| not before! And punish for the ViO-
| lation of duty to society, not for his
| violation of conscience, or sin against
| God-for you do not know the de-
gree Of turpitude in any case-how
| then can you apportion it to every
case? And If you knew, it is not
your business to punish that.
II one commits crime while intox-
icated. or under influence of intoxj-
| cants instead Of considering his con-
dition a palliation, regard it as it is,
an aggravation: else that is but a
| premium on drinking for one can get
drunk to commit a crime, or say he
was drunk, and reduce his punish
ment.
The Democratic party in South Car
olina is being prostituted in a very
deplorable way in this prohibition
craze. and our children and children's
| children may have bitter cause to re-
gret when mo place repentance
can be found, though they seek it
with tears" Here is a quasi political
scheme to censor peoples morals, on
a point that the churches do not re-
quire for members and none of them,
believe, are very strenuously COM
batting free moral agency in this, as
churches, however, vociferous some
may be as members. If the churches,
do not approve leaving it to the in
dividual conscience, none of them
make total abstinence, condition of
membership, in good standing and we
seldom hear of a member (f it hap
pens) disciplined for undue-"what-
scever he was it maketh no matter to
me-"
The Democratic party of South
Carolina it seems to me, if they will
accept a suggestion from one who is
so democratic that he will acquiesce
perfectly If they are determined to go
out of politics, which it manages in no
exemplary way. at many points, and
enter competition with the church, to
regulate moral character, and private
personal conduct. My suggestion is:
that the Democratic party refer this
whole matter to the churches and
family government. If the church
members who are so vociferous about
this will try prohibition in. the church
first, and pull out every mote in the
eye, who will not live up to that sem
timent. they will give us whole.
some example OF earnestness, and, it
may be. all can see better to pull the
intoxicant beam from the worlds
eye, And this is not meant for sar
casm.
Another suggestion-a practical
one this time, as I consider neither Of
the preceding to be. The ladies are
organized and organizing, throughout
the land with great variety of objects.
II the ladies will associate to encour-
age temperance. having the main ar
ticle of their constitution. bylaws. te-
net and practice, to .ostracise and re-
fuse to associate with or even recog-
nige, any marriageable or young per-
soE who uses intoXicants as a bev-
erage, they can, and no doubt will.
accomplish very great reform. and
VIII not be long about it. I hone that
some Of the earnest and influential
ladies Of Sumter, who have the well
fare Of the present and future of our
country in their hearts, and who
would like to leave ineradicable foot
prints on the sands Of time" will take
this matter under consideration. and
cecide to make the trial. It is we'll
worth while, even if it fails. And
nothing can be lost by failure that
is not already lost.
Now. Mr.. Editor: do not wish to
get into a controversy about this with
anyone, and intend not to. But if
any one should feel himself aggriev-
ed hereby-but why he should 1 can
not see; for have but performed a
duty to my fellows Gas I conceive). in
Offering. from limited knowledge and
experience. some perceptions, for
thoughtful minds to consider, if per-
chance. may be found in It, one poor
little grain Of wheat TO be added to
the store of general welfare.
II any, I say, are grieved. and rush
to the fountain pen; let such remem-
Der, l have only done as others have
done. and shown the matter in the
light it appears to me. And let them,
also. remember not to bring a whole
raft of eXtraneous matter, to hurl at
me. that l have said not one word
about. But if he will say something,
'et him direct his attention to my