The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-03-09
PURPOSE AND SANCTION OFLAw

Lecture before II. Addi.on County Tsmpe,ance So
eiay, at Mddlebwy, Feb Is, 1875
We have not before had opportunity
to give the abstract prepared for pubica-
ton, of this valuable address, and we now
lay it before our readers.
Mr.. Tuxbury began by quoting Firs,
Timothy, first chapter, $40: " The law
is not made for righteous man, but for
the lawlcss and dsobedient, for the un.
godly and for sinners, for unholy and pro.
fame, for murdcrers Of fathers, and mur.
derers Of mothers, for manslayers, for
whoremongers, for liars. for perjured per.
sons" This picture answers for the gang
for whom our prohibitory liquor law was
made. A photograph could not be more
exact. let us turn our thought to the
purpose and sanction OF law. and Incl.
deptally to this temperance law.
The study of the law was eulogized, as
bringing the mind into contact with the
great principles that underlio all society
thus broadening its guage. The laws Of
a people are that peoples best solution Of
the great and tormenting problems of life
Law as science must grapple with facts
meet every new turn, confront every
strange force. 1t must adapt itself to
the needs Of society, penetrating every
social crevice like the atmosphere, and
girding its interests with triple bands Of
steel. Thus its study must be invgora.
ting. One cannot study the best thoughts
of the great jurists aud not be helped up.
ward. He Disseminated between lawyers
and pettifoggers. Pottifoggers do not
study law. They study tricks Hacks
of sin, they substitute cunning for
strength. brass for brains. forms for
knowledge, aud fees for success. They
are not eagles they are the owls OF the
bar. The bar shows the results Of study
of the law. 1t produces men of the first
rank, maniness, honor and intelligence
They are the fruit of their calling, and
indicate the richness of the soil in which
they grow.
Taking Blaekstones definition of mu.
nicipal law as "a rule Of civil conduct
prescribed by the supreme power in a
state, commanding what is right and pro-
hibitipg what is wrong" he showed that
it is distinguished from "advice or coun.
sci" and from compact" and gets its
authority from the aciH of the law>making
power. Ia its highest analysis the au.
thority comes from the Divine will, made
known in the law of nature that gives
natural rights, in the revealed will oil
God that exhibits mans duties to bis
Maker and his neighbor. In state the
individual surrenders certain natura
rights and enters into new relations
There is the great restraint of society
Out Of society he can DO anything he
pleases. In society he can do anything
he pleases, provided it does not harm any
one else. To secure this condition Of
harmlessness all the machinery of gov
ernments exist-senates, cannon, moni
tors, marching millions. the worlds po
lice, dungeons and gibbets-all that mer
may do no harm. This display of force
does aot affect the rightness of law. The
halter does not increase the guilt Of mur
der, it only spells it out to the compre
henslon Of those who need it. Conscience
may restrain the good, but only force tbt
bad. Hence all law gets its power from
its penalties. There is no dimness her,
III nature, or Gods Word. or human law
All three prescribe penalties. The grea
jurists and the great theologians have
walked hand 10 hand through the centu
ries on this doctrine. Who can estimat,
the Importance Of law thus sanctioned
and thus sustained To it we owe tn,
priceless boon which we call order. Law
throws over US the cover of safety. 1t
presence makes civilization possible
Civilization is born of law, All we know
Of liberty is secured by the enforcement
of law. Liberty is the inspiration an,
dream Of nations, There is much poo
thinking on this theme. Men talk as
it IT cant license, as if liberty lifted them
selves into despots. Said the revolu
tionsts of 1892 to Lafayette, in Paris
lis this our boasted liberty, that we ma,
not kill whom We please ?" Law say
you must not do as you choose, unles
you choose TO do right. But this spiri
Of license, not of liberty, still threaten
the peace of our Republic The onl
foundation Of freedom is just and impar
tial law enforced at all hazards
Throw the reins on the neck Of passio
and the vilest servitude is inevitable
That man says, al am free; | do as
please; put my name to no pledges
bind myself to no creeds; am free
Are your Why do you SO often swea
that you will never enter another grop
shop as long as you live, aud still 9
right in before the echo of your oath ha
died on your ears? Are you free? VIII
is it that pulls you straight into that pit
Are you free? Why is it that you mus
have tha. drink ? Are you free VII
is it that you tremble, aud shake, an
weep. ard COW down. and crawl back I
your cups ike whipped slave? "Kno'
ys not that to whom ye yield yourselve
servants to obey, his servants ye are I
uhonn ua okau mhathar of ain uolo Il. Al