The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-23
THE LAWS MUST BE OBEYtD.


THE LAWS MUST BE OBEYtD'
on landing from Europe, in September
the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst was interviewed
BY newspaper reporter regarding the
contest going on in New YORK city TO
compel the bar-rooms 10 obey the law
that requires them to be closed on sum
day. and in the course OF the interview
be used these notable words:
"The enforcement Of the law and the
wisdom OF the law are distinct.
| care very little. comparatively, what
law is on the statute-books. But | VIII
nght until | die for the enforcement OF
such laws as are there. Ihere
are certain things which are transparent
ly evil and those things viii l night.
The true social principle is stated here.
The laws, whatever they may be, must
be accepted and obeyed by all men. or
confusion that leads directly up TO an
archy must result. No man has a
right TO be wiser than his laws. If his
laws exist as they are that is enough
for him to know. He must Loyalty ac-
cept them. and Loyalty obey them, ana If
he does not like them, he must seek to
have them changed TO suit his notions.
But while they remain the laws of his
country he must bow to them in good
faith. and submit TO due and exact OBJ
servance of them. This principle lies
at the foundation OF all order and Of
all progress and prosperity.
Police Commissioner Roosevelt. of New
York. had an interview with a reporter
last Sunday. in which he gave utter
ance to some notable sentiments con-
corning this matter. Speaking of the
position Senator Hill takes in regard
TO 1t. he said:
Senator HIS attitude on this ques-
ton of the enforcement OF law, as shown
In his statement regarding the enforce
ment of the laws of this State recently
made. has shown him not TO be a man
who is in the presidential class. The
American people will never select for
President a man who lacks the funda-
mental virtue of honest adherence TO
law"
That is most happily stated. The
American people never will select as
their chief executive a man who is in
the slightest degree tainted with the
idea that law is not sacred and supreme.
And they ought not to. For upon rev.
srence and implicit obedience to the law
are built everything that we boast of
In our civilization and everything that
is worth having in IL.
Mr. Roosevelt continued his interview
-h.f oh
heart by every man. woman. and child
In these United States. we quote some
OF the questions put to him by the re-
porter. and his answers:
What reply can you make to the
charge often made that you nave been
responsible for the revivng of obsolete
laws and the fostering OF Puritanism2"
well. really. l do not think that the
charge has enough I'm il TO make /,
worth meeting. | have proceeded upon
the exceedingly simple principle that 1t
IS my duty 10 respect my oath of office.
II 10 enforce the law according TO ones
oath OF office is Puritansm all ] can
say Is, that | am Puritan"
How would you feel should Tammaay
triumph In this election? To what eA-
tent would you attribute Tammany's
Victory TO your method OF enforcing the
Sunday laws? Would you not feel per-
,onally responsible for the defeat OF
good government in New York;
Most emphaticany not. All that 1
'erret Is that the fusion ticket Tor
which am working heart and SOUL was
lot pu, fair and square upon the plat
'orm which had as its chief plank the
honest enforcement of law. If we had
lot done our duty. and had allowed the
I'D system o. cringlng before the liquor
eller and his clients and the winking
" the violation of law TO continue. 1
ioubt II our chances would have been
my better politically than they are ROW.
BY our conduct, on the contrary. we
lave shown that our reform victory
meant something while. hac we taken
ne other course. IL would have proved
hat the victory OF the reformers meant
tothine but a change OF men. and not
the system. Remember that this
light here in New York against
rammany Hall is Il fight which
waSed directly against. and not along.
'arty lines. and is a night primarily
.geinst the dishonest enforcement OF
avs. The nrst requisite OF honesty in
public official is resolnte insistancc
Upon the enforcement OF laws"
Have you any doubt that a Tammany
dctory. II II comes i'm this election will
30 due to the rigid Sunday closing under
four administration?
"Why. OF course. II would not be due
20 that II the Sunday closing brought
about q defeat OF the reform party, the
1efeat would be due TO those reform poll
ucians and reform newspapers which
have departed from the issue. and have
encouraged the forces of evil by taking
the position that one set OF law breakers
are entitled TO immunity al the hands
81 the police because they are politically
powerful. II the men who believe IN
honest government had stood straight
90 10 the issue Of honesty In public Of.
Ace. we would have won this fall hands
down. think we are going to win
anyway. II we do not. why ali can