Morning journal and courier., 1892-01-18
Law AND ORDER LEAGUE.

MT. Carmel.
/ John fv: 4: Greater is he that is In you than
Nehemiah iv: 49,: The work Is great and large,
and we are separated upon the wall.
A state convention Of the Connecticut
union will be held in Bridge
port, next Tuesday, to consider how the
forces or1good may be united. The seere-
tary of the International Law and Order
league will be present. As that society,
with the local associations, seems to be
the most practicable bond of union among
the various temperance elements, desire
to call the attention of the members of
the union, in this church, to the merits
Of the league by stating ~ what it is not,
% what it is, 81 its difficulties,
a. its natural allies, (0 its history, and (0
how it works.
l. The Law and Order league is not Or
ganized in the pecuniary interest of its
members. It is not total abstinence 80
ciety. It is not . temperance association.
It is not a prohibition organization. Its
object is not to make license respectable
nor simply to enact more laws. Its plat
form is broad enough to make it practical
~ effective. It welcomes prohibitionists
and high license men, democrats, republi-
cans, Independents, Catholics, Protestants
aud free religionists. The line is drawn
between law-abiding and 1aw-breaking
citizens.
2. A word as to the need, object or ad-
vantage of such an organization. We have
stated what it is not; let us see what it is.
While the league does not go into court
and make complaint unless the officer.
fail to do their duty, it does employ coun-
sci if necessary and sees that justice il
done. Public officers are often guilty OF
the sin of omission, because 1t is the fnan.
cial interest of law-breakers to influence
officers. Those whe make a business Of
vice may give all their time to it. Law.
abiding citizens cannot afford to do this
but they can afford to support the league
for their protection.
The league trains the community to en-
force all laws, including prohibition where
it is law. It teaches the execution Of
existing laws coupled with freedom as t.
personal habits and convictions.
The league promotes the cause of tenn
perance more than any temperance society
has vet advanced it. But it is not a sub
stitute for other agencies. 1t deals witt
the illegality of unlawful institutions
home, church and school deal more direct
", perhaps, with the demand. The leagu,
does, however, school the community il
law-abiding sentiments.
The International league Is q bond O.
communication between state and locs
leagues, and is a tower of strength to TIL
weaker societies. 1t has less ceremony
and machinery, doubtless, than any othe
organization.
1t is fact in it's favor that the leagu
already exists as a success throughout tn
country, and seems to be adapted to tn
| union Of all law-abiding elements. Be
Co. %ho ut~rto1 in
York, "the caucus and saloon had create
power, and majesty and might in all on
| affairs of church society and politics thai
| the Christian professor or the praye
meeting, or the class meeting" TIL
league changes the center of gravity b.
Ginning up the forces for good.
3. the difficulties are obvious.
"Save the boys is the leagues watch
| word. A man will thoughtlessly allow hi
children to be corrupted by an evil resort
when he would not allow his purse to b
stolen. Those who trade in vice for sui
tenance give their time and talent to il
They influence voters and public officers
In Canada, judges, sheriffs, Inspector
official prosecutors, police officers and cor
stables, are all appointed for life. Secrt
the Boston board of police should hol
Office during good behavior. The leagu
gets little sympathy from public Officer
who depend on popular votes. Members {
local leagues often inform state league
that not an officer in town can be relic
on. Citizens in general are busy, an
need the league to obtain evidence. emplo
counsel and watch proceedings. There al
few communities not in need of leagues.
4. The pulpit and the press, being gel
orally law-respecting agencies, are naturi
allies of the league. Biahop Ireland
president of local league in st. Pau
There are bishops in the Catholic churc
who are active members. The Ri. Rev.
G. Potter, EpiscopaD bishop of New orl
is a member. The Newark Bulletin 81
peals to the clergy to form leagues. Is
said that the press has been helpful to th
that we cannot rely on the newspapers fl
the necessary knowledge. The Newa1
league has a paper, the Law and Ord
Bulletin. DR.. Hale's magazine, 'Lend
Hand ," from which this sermon is largel
compiled, is the official organ of the Int
| national league.
| 5. A word as to the history and staff
tics. A lesgue WAS formed in Peoria
1872. Dr. Crosby's Society for the Pr
| vention of Crime dates from March i
1877. The United States Law and Ord
league was formed February %, 1888. I
| name was changed to "Internationar'
1890. The National league has met,
convention, every year since 1888 Hol
Charles G. Bonney, leading lawyer,
Chicago, is PRESIDENT Colonel L. Edwi
Dudley, secretary. There are more tbs
200 leagues in the United States an
Canada. There is no complete list; au
the National league never sends out agen
to organize OF speak except at the reque
of the community.
Massachusetts, has a central league
over 1000 members, and there are
branch organizations.
Hon. VIM. Butterworth of Chicago
secretary of the commission which has
charge the congresses to be held at Il
Worlds fair, at which the league will
represented.
It is worthy of note that women are a
tive members of most of the leagues.
| 6. AS to support.
Years ago the efforts of tho agen
of the Chicago league were CO.
/ sidered equal to rs members of the regul
police force. President Bonney advis
the enactment of law giving the leagu
for it's support, the fines collected in tt
cases prosecuted by the agents. The
ought to be one agent, he thinks, for eat
police district.
z. How the league works In damdel
Nothing could have been more unpopul
at first. "The work is great and large
and we were ''separated on the wall" B.
when we were united in q league vol
seemed to say, "Greater is he that is
you than he that is in the world" Arrea
we're made, convictions secured, the hous
closed, and the league is here.
Our experience convinces us that the
is strength in union. We think that not
; ing could be more effective as q bond
union and moral support, such as the loo
leagues need, than an active state lsag1
for this very purpose. And the Hand,
league, from the vantage ground of
position, having never lost battle
caucus, election or court of justic
humbly moves that the Connecticut sta
league, which, through no fault of its Of
GERS has only name to live at present,
resuscitated at once, and We will stand
the state las we stood by the town. until
becomes even more worthy in the futu
| than in the past of being called "the lar