Keowee Courier

Revenue Violators.
Just at this time violators of the internal revenue liquor laws of the United States are experiencing a generous shower of clemency. All who in the past have violated these laws, as distillers or retailers, are permitted to return to their homes on pleading guilty and giving bond to appear for sentence in case they violate the law in the future. This amnesty for the past extends to everybody, except Redmond, and perhaps a few others. Under it several hundred have either plead guilty or suffered a verdict of guilty to be taken against them. This is a right step of the government, both as a corrective and preventative. It will accomplish more, and promptly, in securing obedience to the law than all the marshals and commissioners in the State could effect in a year of turmoil and litigation and confusion, not to mention its economy to the government. It is a peaceful remedy. It combines legal and moral suasion in their most potent form. It enables all who have heretofore, in the past five years, violated the law, to wipe out their sins and start anew. Reformation is open to all, and to all who honestly abandon the illicit business complete immunity is given. We have long advocated this course and feel confident its results will be beneficial alike to the Government and the people, and put into active, honest industry a host of farmers and laborers who have been idlers and wanderers. Let no man think this amnesty will be repeated, or that it means future clemency for wilful violations of the law hereafter. The Government has withheld its punitive power only on condition of future good behavior. We could not again ask a similar immunity. The law is known now to all, and the law has pardoned all past offences, and those sinning in the future will be doubly guilty, as violating a known law and abusing the grace extended to them. Liquor making and liquor selling in violation of law should stop right here. Every good citizen should use every legal and moral force in his power to this end, and strive to turn the thrift and energy of those who have been living in violation of law into legitimate pursuits.