The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-11
THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.

A sharp debate is in progress between
several leading Democratic papers in Maine
relative to the attitude Of that party toward
prohibition, and the enforcement of such laws
as have been enacted for the regulation of the
liquor traffic. The discussion turns on the
question whether the Democratic mayor of
Portland is violating Democratic principles in
discharging his sworn duty to enforce the laws
against saloons The Portland Argus be-
lieves in the enforcement of all laws, and the
Arson Advocate, also Democratic, goes fur
ther, and urges that the Democratic party
recognize prohibition as one of its principles.
The Belfast Age, third Democratic paper,
Age) is '1aboring to bring the Democratic
party into power, one of whose cardinal prin
ciples is opposition to sumptuary [prchibitory]
laws" The Age goes on to say that the
Democratic party, while it will abide by such
laws as long they exist, will leave them,
like all other laws to be enforced by those
who suffer from their violation. Without
trenching upon the fact that the Democratic
party, at least in Northern States is unalter-
ably opposed to any interference with the
liquor traffic, it must be confessed that it has
taken remarkable and dangerous stand,
if it be correctly represented by its
Maine exponent. On the equal and honest
enforcement of all laws rests the stability of
society and the safety of the individuals 1t
is narrow and thoroughly selfish to leave the
enforcement of any particular law to 'those
who suffer from its violation" Civilized So
ciety is mutual assurance association, the
aggregate guaranteeing safety and liberty to
the individual, who in turn is expected to give
his influence, his substance, his life if need
be, to aid in defending the laws, which are
the ramparts of society, against depredations
by barbarians and men who do not appreciate
the blessings of law and order, and personal
safety.
If each is to defend himself unaided by law,
OF by force and arms, we are but little better
off than wild tribes, and the making of laws is
a farce. The written statute is supposed to
be the peoples best idea of right and justice,
and its enforcement by the agencies of the or
ganized body must be insisted on as for the best
interest of society. To leave the enforce
ment of law to those who suffer by it's viola
ton is to commit the weak to the mercy
of the strong. BY this rule there would be
no redress for the poor and ignorant.
In nearly every instance the victims Of Unjust
ice and fraud and oppression are those who are
financially, physically and mentally unable to
defend themselves or to compel enforcement
keeping they are, and to which they owe
allegiance, to come to their aid. The laws
made by society for its own good must be
made effective by the very power that gave
them utterance. The individual may have
personally opposed the adoption of certain
laws the gambler may have sought to defeat
legislation against gaming and the scarlet
woman and he who profits by her shame may
have decried laws interfering with harlotry.
This, however, does not work exemption from
responsibility. Gambler and strumpet enjoy
the protection of law against murder, and
thieving, and bodily harm, and in return must
render obedience to such other enactments as
forbid them certain practices deemed harmful
to society or any of its members. The
victims of gamblers and procurers are not in
themselves able to obtain justice or to
secure their punishment. Society at
large, that portion of it that is
too wise OF too virtuous to be in particula,
danger from these evils, must come to their
aid, and the more promptly and effectively the
better.
1t is unpatriotic, undemocratic, for any man
or body of men to elect what laws they shall
respect and what shall be allowed to go into
disuse. 1t is more; it is dangerous. There
are men who suffer in greater or less degree
by the liquor traffic, and so convinced of this
have they become in certain States that enact
ments, more or less stringent, have been
passed against it. These should be enforced
with absolute impartiality, along with other
laws; not by victims alone, but by all who
ask the enforcement Of other laws that shield
them from injustice or oppression. Univer-
sal respect for law insures universal safety. II
it be found that the enforcement Of prohibi-
tory laws is hateful to the people, they can be
repealed; but 80 long as they remain on the