The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-07-03
MANY AND STRINGENT LAWS.


A multiplicity of stringent laws,
rigidly enforced, are destructive of
public virtue as we'll as Instruments
of oppression. Caligula, it is said,
wrote his laws in small characters and
hung them upon high pillars, so that
| they could not easily be read. lie thus
created opportunities for exercising
his wanton cruelty by furnishing the
people whom he had ensnared,
We are adopting method of Gov
|ernment, not less cruel nor less un-
just and much more pernicious in its
results than that of the Roman Tyrant.
We conceal our laws in multitude
ofenaotments instead ofhanging them
upon high pillars, and we change them
SO rapidly and so constantly by amend
ments that the most persevering stu
dent can scarcely keep advised OF their
requirements. The calenders of the
u. S. District court ut Portland for
two years past show how easily the
best men, from all classes of society,
may be unwittingly and innocently
transformed into law breakers. 1t is
true that convictions have in these
cases been rare, but this is due, not to
the law, but to public sentiment that
has almost uniformly repudiated them
in one class Of eases.
We not only ensnare people to be-
come law breakers, but we tempt
them to become such by our stringent
and onerous revenue laws. These laws
offer premiums for their violation.
They have provided tax so high, and
imposed duties so burdeusome, that in
certain instances whole communities
have seemingly set resolutely to work
TO evade and defeat them.
The telegraph last week said that
over 60 illicit distillcries had been
seized and destroyed in East Tenncs-
see, North Carolina and the border
counties of Virginia, and that these
seizures were rendered exceedingly
difficult and dangerous by the resist
cnce of the distillerS. Gen. Sherman
found it necessary to render military
assistance to the officers. Aud that
in consequence Of more difficulties en-
countcred in Philadelphia, in attempts
to suppress numerous contraband dis
Stilleries, application had been made
for squad of marines. These are in
stances under one branch of the rev
enue system.
And beyond doubt, this system is
working irreparable harm to the
country. We impose constant strain
upon public virtue, by keeping before
the public standing inducements to
break the law and the bad examples
of administrative officers. The in
ducement TO make money, suddenly
and easily, is often too much for the
integrity Of those who arc ordinarial-
ly good citizens. 1t has imposed upon
Congress the necessity ofoccupying it.
self for long periods in dcyising means
to enforce the law, and in investiga-
ting cases of corruption. 1t has con.
verted revenue officials, with some hon.
orable exceptions, into an army oi
thieves. 1t has taken men from the
useful employments of life and from
honorable places in society and mad,
them spies upon the actions of thcil
fellows. And it has in many mournfu
Instances corrupted the Legislator,
themselves Any such system in any
eountry will dcbase the peoples esti
mate of law, ,wiIl divestit ofthat sacred
character which ought to, and does
secure respect and Obediance, and il
viii surely in some degree sap the NOR
ais of a great community, howeye
upright and however enlightened.