The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-25
1t Can be Done-rhe Mayor.


Editor Morning NetUs: How often do
we hear the expression about the enforcing
Of law-"It can't be done" Whenever
there is a law which violates the common
rights Of man, interferes with his innate
rights in the pursuit OF life. liberty and
happiness. it cannc. we'll be enfo ced. That
has been tried time and again morally ana
religiously. The old Puritanical laws were
for time enforced; many obnoxious re-
hgious laws were for a time enforced; but
mans true to his innate natunf rebelled.
All laws that are in themselves Just.
proper and right can be enforced. True,
the people may have TO be educated up TO
the point to see that they are just and
right, and when that impression has taken
hold upon their minds and convinced their
reason that the law is in itself good, il can
be easily enforced. Where a universal self
ishness pervades and an indifference is
manifested, the law cannot be enforced.
whatever that law may be. Tie American
mind Is naturally conservative, Just,
and thoughtful. 1t is all nonsense 60 talk
about all men being equal and guided by
the same motives. That Is more dema-
gogical than true. Men take on their men,
tai and moral surroundings from their edu-
cation, association and general impressions.
Liberty, with some men. means licentious-
ness, disregard for law and order and a
doing as you please at all times and in all
places. Men must be born in a country In
understand the genius and thought of that
country. As the Buddhist priest told the
English missionary: From what you say
of Jesus, l take HIM to be an Englishman;
but he was not, for he was an eastern man,
like myself You must be born in a country
where religion is born to understand that
religion. | understand Jesus, but you do
not Jesus had no English ideasn
just SO with all foreigners in all countries.
They do not grasp at once the genius of the
laws and the people they are among. They
only do so by close observation and adjust
Ing themselves to their new surroundings.
VI course there are native roughs, hber-
tines. plug-uglies, etc., who must be made
to feel the strong arm of the law to let them
know that there is such a thing as law.
The above remarks, Mr.. Editor, apply
more to cities than anywhere else
There is an idea prevailing that cities have
certain liberties that the law does not exS
actly touch or apply to. The people in the
cities must be educated out of that notion,
and they can only be impressed with the
power and grandeur of law by having all
law enforced without fear. favor or af-
fiction" Where public officers are en-
powered to enforce any law which Is net
innately repugnant to the general senti-
ment Of athe people 1t can be done, and
easily done.
1t is sad thought that the law calling for
fair and just taxable returns is so repug-
nant to the average man, and generally ex-
ceedingly repugnant to men OF wealth. But
as they all do it" as all keep back some
thing, there is no law which can reach or
touch the conscience Of the general mass
and the result is seen In the fact that the
state Of Georgia makes a return of some-
thing over $500. 000, 900, when in truth there
should be retura Of $400, 900.
No law can be passed and enforced which
will interfere with the peoples happiness or
recreation on Sunday as TO how they shall
enjoy themselves, whether by going to
church, going on excursions, or remaining
at home. The innate right of the indi-
vldual Is there touched; not his morals, his
social relations. or personal privileges. The
morals, as well as the general health of a
community are subject to law, and it is well
that it is so. A mans necessities should not
be specialized upon by the avaricious, the
selfish and the unprincipled. Therefore
Sunday laws looking to the morals of the
community are in consonance or concord
with the general idea and desire of the
people. 1-
The present mayor Of Savannah has
spoken SO plainly, acted so promptly, and
enforced the Sunday laws as to trade, traf-
fic, etc. that they are respected. 1t was
oeAiO ouhO buc law dShlUbb uQuOT
selling on Sunday could not
be enforced, but 1t Is, and there is not a
seller of liquor who will dare to attempt to
defy or circumvent the law. Whyi Be-
cause public sentiment, backed by intelli-
gence, by a just sentiment of what is right,
viii support and sustain any officer in the
discharge of his duty. Wherever the peo-
pie have voice as to public evil, the en-
forcing of good morals, the law will be en-
forced and sustained. But there is no such
thing as legislating a man, religious or
moral, without coming in direct conflict
with his individual rights. and hence Ger
tain vices or evils are winked at il modest
seclusiveness is displayed.
There are no people more conservative in
thought and in feeling than the American
but when aroused, If la is dehed, justice
turned into farce, vice made to rank vir-
tue, more terrible in enforcing law; for this
being government of the people, by the
people, for the people, in the interest OF the
people, the people will be heard as to what
they consider their interests and their
rights, New Orleans is an illustration of an
aroused people. r. NJ. o.