The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-16

League, Giving a Sketch of the Move
ment, and the Plan for Its Extension in
1884.
To the Friends of Law and Order:
In response to numerous inquiries the fol
lowing information is given
The Citizens Law and Order League of the
United States was organized in fremont
Temple, Boston, Mass February %. 1888 by
delegates representing twenty-five Law and
Order Leagues, located in eight of the United
States. The attendance was large, the inter-
est deep, and the meeting in all respects a
success.
The origin of the law and order movement
was an effort on the part of a few citizens of
Chicago, in the fall of 1877, to enforce the
laws torbidding the sale of liquors to minors.
The cause of the movement was the discov-
cry of the appalling fact that in violation of
those laws, the saloon keepers of Chicago
were selling intoxicating liquors to many
thousands OF Chicago boys.
The process of the movement was extreme
ly simple. One or two reliable witnesses made
notes of persons and places violating the law,
and then commenced prosecutions against
the offenders for such violations. before po-
lice magistrates or justices of the peace, and
upon the trial of the complaints proved the
facts and demanded judgments inliictng the
penalties OF line and imprisonment prescribed
by the law.
The practical success of q persistent de-
mand that the laws be enforced and obeyed
was SIMPLY wonderful. The working force of
the Chicago League did not exceed u half
port of not more than Il hun fred citizens.
Treating the movement at first with derision,
the saloon-keepeHs soon found it too serious
and potent to resist, and yielded, with more or
less of protest and opposition, an obedience
which they found themselves unable to with
hold 1t is estimated that tiVe-siXthS of the
evils of selling liquor to minors have been per
mancntly suppressed in the city of Chicago
through the efforts of the Citizens League,
with corresponding benefits to families, tax
payers and the community generally. These
Fpfr fH rant1n Hl,N Al,
official reports Of the Chicago League. Those
reports have been freely published in the
newspapers Of the city, and have been the
subject of frequent comment in the public
press and in public addresses, and their cor
reCtncSs has never been seriously questioned
SO far as | am informed.
Actual SUPERINTENDENT that equally great
and decisive results were obtained by Il similar
course in smaller cities, and in country towns
In some cases the results were even more
complete and satisfactory.
The accounts published in the newspapers
stimulated similar organizations in other
States. Like results followed wherever the
effort was faithfully made, ana the movement
advanced from city to city, and from State to
state, until it finally eliminated i'll the organ
iZatiOn of National Law and Order League
as above stated.
Calls for information and personal assist
ance have been received from many parts Of
the Union, and inquiries for documents and
directions have also GOMEZ to hand from for
eign countries.
Inc inherent merit OF tle movement alone
has spread its influence and multiplied its
organizations. 1t has no propagandiSt in the
field. The officers and advocates of the exist
ing Law and Order societies have only gone
where they have been called, and in most
cases only where the calls have been urgent
and repeated. This has not been from any
unwillingness to do the noble work of the
movement, but because they are all busy men
with many responsibilities and cares who find
il difficult to spare the time to make JOURNEYS
and assist in organizing Citizens Leagues in
other localities.
To promote the organization of Law and
Order Leagues in places where they do not
now exist, and to point out the easy way in
which such organizations may be effected, is
the Spechc object OF this address. The con-
stitutions and bylaws of the Citizens Leagues
of the city of Chicago, the States of Illinois
and Massachusetts and the United
States are appended to the printed
which the latter was organized, and
may be obtained by writing to the Secretary,
Mr.. j. 9. Shaifcr. Is Washington street Chi
cago, Illinois. Those proceedings and the APP
pendiX thereto contain all necessary Informal
lion for the organization of law and order
societies, with other interesting matter, in
Guiding brief reports of the speeches of
Bishop b. II. Paddock Rev. James Freeman
Clarke, Ex-Governor Thomas Talbot Hon.
Rufus 5. Frost Dr. Daniel Dorchester Andrew
Paxton, President Il. f. Elmendorf and
others, at the National Convention. The en-
tire proceedings show that the National
League was the result of a spontaneous move
ment in favor of better enforcement of the
laws, and that the organization entered upon
its work with an earnestness prophetic of
success.
Mr.. Elmendorf departed this life October Ii.
1888 and at meeting OF the Executive Com
mittee, held in Boston December ), the under
signed was elected to succeed him as Presi-
dent of the League. | have on another occa-
sion paid my tribute of esteem for his char
acter and services, and sorrow for the loss
sustained in his deeease, and therefore for
bear to dwell upon them here. | hoped and
expected that his successor would be an emf
nent citizen of Boston, but | have not felt at
liberty 10 decline the responsibilities imposed
by the choice of my associates in the impor-
tant work of law enforcement.
The proceeding TO organize Law and Or
der League is not difficult. Any good citizen
can effect such an organization in his locality
He need at first only obtain forms of organi-
cation from the Secretary, and invite a few of
his fellow citizens to meet him and consider
the matter III they agree, they can at once
select officers and form League. The work
ing force required is a Prosecuting Agent.
The money needed is the amount required to
pay the agent and defray the incidental OK
penSes. Public meetings OF Citizens Leagues
are generally held in churches, ana on Sun
day evening" the enforcement of the laws be-
ing recognized as prOmOtiVe of all the best in
terests of society.
1t is particularly requested that a full and
prompt report OF all organizations that have
heretofore been, or shall hereafter be, organ
lied be transmitted to the Secretary of the
United states League. 1t is important that
this be done, that the central Office may have
the necessary information of the extent and
success of the movement, and that documents
may be sent to the proper officers of the diff
ferent State and local organizations.
The annual meeting of the United States
League for 1854 will probably be held in
August. Due notice will be given of the time
and place of the meeting, that the State
Leagues may send delegates. The member
ship of the National Convention viii consist OF
delegates chosen by State Associate ms that
agree with the object of the United States
League, which is 10 secure by all proper means
the enforcement of such laws and ordinances
as may from time to time exist in the United
States and the several States of the Union
relating to the liquor traffic. 1t is therefore
important that all local Leagues shall become
members of u State organization, in order that
the delegates to be appointed may properly
represent the different Leagues within the
Several States.
While the present work of the law and order
movement is concentrated on the single point
of enforcing the laws Tor the regulation and
restraint of the liquor traffic, aud especially
the preservation of the youth of the country
from the evils it engenders, the vital principle
of the movement is as broad as the domain of
government, and is essential 70 the endurance
OF constitutional liberty The vital principle
is the supremacy of the laws. Liberty must
be obedicnt TO the laws that sclf-government
enacts, or liberty itself will degenerate INTO
anarchy and perish. 1t is generally admitted
that the laws for the restriction of the liquor
traffic are the most difficult of enforcement
II they can be enforced, any others which
public opinion approves can be carried into
effect. The law and order movement Is man