The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-09-24

&, SEPTEME
b0ck, Why7 Because good citizens
80 not the requisite interest or the
icosrsge to enforce them. We often
nsresy enact the law and then sit down
Iau expect it to 60 in operation Of itself.
stimes byafan extra effort, We 70 q
;stp further and elect officers whom we
Iccaaider honest enough to fulfil their
duty In this respect; but too often we
neglect even this precaution. AS claws
are but the expression of the will of the
people" so their enforcement is but the
outcome ofthe living faith of the people
! ~ IS their efficacy. five fully believe in
the right and advisability Of laws, we
must If we are sincere Christians, en-
deavor and work for the enforcement OIL
them. like to dwell upon the last word
of our society's name ''endeavor" for i'll
implies work, earnest and continuous.
There are two methods ofenforcing law.
First by compulsion; and second, by
bringing the moral standard of the com.
mun.ity up to that Of the law. Of course
the latter is the better course and more
permanent, but it is slower Of consum-
nlation and the first must often be en-
jployed. until the second is possible. But
'Nyour work is to be lasting you must not
neglect the labor of education. Enlight-
,ennent is the great foe of evil. Therein
- our hope.
Our interest must not cease with good
laws enacted and enforced but must ex-
tend itself to our law.interpreters the
courts.
Manya wise and good statute has been
robbed ofits efficacy or totally annuled
through the willy manipulatlons Of its in
tespreters, We must use our influence as
far az possible in demanding an honest
construction to be put upon the work of
our legislators.
Next, social conditions demand our at
tention; The vexed questions of capital
andlabor. the wrongs of the poor and the
rich confront us. Love of country inn
plies love of her citizens and herein lies
a wide field for our love, charity, and ply
lantrophy to work in. Class distinctions
must be limited, if not oblitersted; and
pauperism must be abolished, flour coun-
try.is to prosper. Personal influence, edu-
cation, and legislation are our weapons
for tie warfare.
urtierdo not shirk any duty that the
81 onwealth imposes upon you. Do
ie your dutiesa as jurors, for we
iil naest and fearless juries. Always
exefre your right of franchise, and i'll
your country shall ever need to claim from
you that most dangerous and heroic SER
vice, the military, be not wanting then.
And further encourage good, old-fashion-
ed patriotism; speak we'll of your country;
do not disparage her laws, Lawmakers.
customs, advantages and resources unne-
cessarily. Make it popular to uphold the
flag and its associations; encourage the
study Of our history, revere the memory
of our patriots.
Patriotism demands of you the enfor-
cement Of Christian principles. This has
not always beenso Throughout ancient
times a nation asked other sons their lives
in defense against her enemies. The uni
versal condition of war made this neces-
sary. The Spartan mother trained her
son to sacrifice life rather than his country. |
Even our own nation gained her indepen-
dence through the life-blood of her best
youth; through the privations and suffer-
ing of anheroic army; through the SHOWS
Of a Valley Forge, ,and the icy wind of the
Delaware. Hunger and destitution walk
ed hand in hand with carnage, and yet
the American patriot met them bravely
and heroically; later the curse of slavery
was only suppressed by a fearful loss of
life, by the sacrifice of our bravest and |
best! Patriotism demanded of us the lives
of our dear ones, and they we're given.
Thank God that to-day our country asks
of us something far different; not our life's
blood, but our devotion; not death, but
life; not warfare against hostile armies,
but opposition to evil forces within our
borders. She asks ofus devotion to her
purity and preservation, to be evinced by
our lives, our influence and our ballots.
The Christian mother of to-day sends her
sons to the ballot box with the Injunction
"cast your vote honestly and fearlessly."
Can we refuse SO easy and just a de-
mand? Will we be recr. ant to our duty
because it comes to us in such peaceful
form? No, as Christians we pray for pea
ce, let us preserve it in peace.
INA e Vor,N<.