Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-06-30
THE ENFORCEMENT or LAW.

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which lies at the foundation Of all true
and effective reform movements and work
is that the laws OF the land must be
obeyed, and, consequently, it is evident
that the very first duty Of the citizen is to
cultivate, so far as he has the power to do
so, u respect for law, and so profound re-
spect As to make obedience necessity ana
n foresone conclusion. We do not now so
much need new legislation in any direc'
ton as the preaching of new cru
SADIE in behalf of the enforcement |
of law.--and of all law. Neither should |
the wcapons of this warfare be aimed at
the authorities and the representatives, OF
government. The people themselves need
to be preached to and lectured and Iabored
with as to the sacred character and the
necessity of law, and of the supreme i'm
| portance to themselves of securing uni
yersal respect and obedience to it. There
is in Great Britain no such thing as
public and popular disregard OF law, and
in this lies the safety of the British
empire in these troublous times. There is,
as matter of course, dsobedence by in
diyiduals and occasional popular tumults
break out, but, as a rule, it is fact that
the laws of the land are held sacred by the
English people, and that there is never
any public outcry or complaint because
the provisions Of law are not enforced
This ought to be true of America. We
are rather too free and independent as a
peoule and assume to select from our stat
utes such of them as we believe to be fair,
and obey them Out of this very unsafe
and even dangerous condition Of popu-
lar sentiment comes disregard OF Sunday
laws. and those statutes regulating, re
straining or prohibiting gambling, the
sale of Intoxicating liquors, etc, etc
Hence we repeat. The very first thing t
be done is to try TO create popular an'
public sentiment that will make the en-
forcement Of all laws practical matter
sentiment which will be so profound an
so nearly universal that all officers who de
sire to execute and apply the provision
of statutes shall be encouraged to do SC
and under the pressure Of which all wh
do not desire to do so shall be forced to d
sol Reformers who are sensible ant
practical should begin their work at tn
very foundation of things. If we are t
erect a structure that is to stand-or ii W
, are, indeed TO erect a structure at all W
=. must lay the foundations broad and deer
We have no moral right to ask for ne
Legislation until we have utilized the law
e. we already have and SO prepared II
s- way for new laws, by culuvating, creatin
and enforcing such a degree and extent
h respect for law and all law in cOmmuni
on and in all communities, that Il
#. application of new legislation not mere
possible, but practical and probable Me
who are continually beating the TONIC
= and shouting for new laws, and postponir
the day Of delverance until these laws a
, enacted making no effort to prepare Il
people for their reception and utilizatio
as are simply allowing law-breakers to run ri
al and vice and immortality to operate wit
ed out let or hindrance-and were it not f
ed the sturdy and continuous influence of co
servative citizens, who demand the G
forcement of good laws, and who vote
men who will carry out their wishes, a
. elect them, there would be little protect
-, or safety for the people. This is the
preme and basal fact for reformers to &C
slider; and all work based on any otf
in principle will be foolish and iruitless.