Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-20
r,.. prevailing Disregard Of Law

Tno Prevailing Disregard OF Law
Montesquieu, in hia celebrated treatise
ON the spirit of laws, gives the definition
of popular virtue to be "love OF eur laws
and our country" The reason of the de-
nav and downfall of the ancient Repub-
lies il TO be found in the slow but utter
extinction Of regard for law, which
alone could sustain them. While Greece
regarded her laws she was unconquer-
able, but as soon as loose application OF
them was made, she sank into long
night Of servitude and darkness, from
which ages have not and will not arouse
her. While Rome maintained respect
for laws her title was "Mistress OF the
world" when she ceased to regard them
she became a slave to disorder. SO will
it ever be, for man ever has been and
will be essentially the same. Time,
change of government, Of language, makes
no change in the character God has i'm
planted, though clouds may for seasons
veil it from view.
Modern republics have the same hold
on perpetuity, and the same dangers as
the anoients; while they regard law, they
bid defiance to time, when they bid them
defiance, lifetime will compass their ex'
ist9nce. There are emotions OF pleasure
aad self-respect at being governed by
wholesome laws, to which willing obedi.
ence is yielded, because suited to mems
ideas of expediency and justice, but they
have more direct hold upon the heart,
leading it to regard them with that rever.
ence and reliance, which can only be felt
for something that we are accustomed to
view as our best support in the hour OF
danger and trial. We perceive in them
the only just union of the sword and the
olive branch, and as the only equable
balance and sure guarantee Of power and
peace. The laws are looked up to with
the feeling of devoted child to the wise
parent by whose equal and temperate,
but unyielding action, he has been swayed
through life. Obedience to law is not 40.
corded to laws merely because they are
laws, but because without them society
would be anarohized, and with them it il
brought to state of harmony favorable tc
the accomplishment of the best hopes
Law is the sun Of social institutions, with
out which man would exist no longer
Wherever such feeling exists in society,
the laws are a portion of the national
heart indivisible, indestructible,- for
there is popular virtue.
The question which forces itself upon
the American people at this period with
great significance, is "Is not the love Of
laws and our own country depreciating p
Ii this be true, which observation and ex.
perience force to the belief, Is it not q
question of grave and momentous i'm.
port Should not our statesmen and law
makers stop to consider if they have not
loosened the restraints of law and failed
to provide protection to our citizens in
SEINE portions Of the country. 1t is q seri-
Gus fact that within the last few years a
disregard of law and disposition to
wrest it's execution from proper hands-a
spirit of misrule-have sprung up in our
country, which, if allowed to be extended
and persisted in, must lead us to second
rebellion. Already have scenes been
enacted which portend evil to the stability
of law and order, and which while they
shock every generous feeling, cover the
nation with disgrace which time cannot
remove. We seem to be treading upon a
volcano. which, ever and anon, gives a
warning not to be disregarded OF the fiery
elements at work.
Il this a causeleas foreboding OF evil 2
IL there nothing in the scenes Of violence
and death, which are blackening and dis
grazing the land, which portends dis
solution of the general restraints of law T
There is much, and it is a solemn and holy
duty of every law-maker and citizen to
throw himself into the breach and resist
to the uttermost the advance farther OF
spirit which is alike an enemy to peace
and Justice and the material progress of
the country. Let the principle be once
established that the acts OF manrading
bands, or that the multitude are above
law, that they may perpetrate crime with
impunity, and the diserssnizers need ask
no more. Enough is conceded to place in
their hands lever with which the work
of the years of blood spent in suppressing
the rebellion may be overturned. That
calamity 20 dire may be averted, should
be the ceaseless prayer of all who love
their country and oopntry's laws, ..s