The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-02
ENDEAVORERS.
Special Service In Aid Of In'
creasing Respect for Law
Held In 43 Churches.

As result or the agltation dor IN
creased respect for the law, recently
started by the Providence union OF the
Young Peoples Society OF Christian
Endeavor, a special service was ar
ranged to be held yesterday in each OF
43 churches in this vicinity, there being
43 societies in the union.
The interesting feature Of these meet
ings was the reading of letters from
former Presidents Benjamin Harrison
and Grover Cleveland on reverence for
the law, which should result in the en-
forcement of the law as law.
Rev. h. Tallmadge Root OF Elmwood
temple was chairman OF the committee
that planned the service and the cause
was aided by DIR. Josiah Strong, presi-
dent OF the league for social service,
who caused TO be widely distributed
leaflets OF the society.
In addition TO the letters read there
was an address in almost every church
by an attorney. The meetings closed
with the singing of America and 20,
God. Beneath Thy Guiding Hand" fol-
lowed by a prayer for the republic and
the state.
The letters from the ex-presidents
were:
IT1nCetOn, June -us iSvVs
REV. f. Tallmadge Root:
Dear Sir--It Is not a pleasing thing
10 be obliged TO concede that at this
period of our nations history there
should be truth and relevancy in the
proposition: The Great Need of Our
Country-Reverence for Law
THE difference between barbarity
and civilization consists in the absence
or existence of laws and their enforce
ments. American civilization requires
that laws for the safety and protection
OF person and property should be made
and executed by those chosen for that
purpose, by the people to be affected by
such laws. This circumstance creates
the demand OF popular participation
and consent. which increases enormous
ly the obligation of support and obedi-
ence. These are included in Reverence
for Law That this reverence Is the
great need of our country results from
an inordinate national and individual
strife to reach ends regardless of all
restraint. and from the growth OF the
notion among our people, that ends
must be gained whether the means em-
ployed are justified or not.
That this tendency is extremely dan
gerous to the well-being, IL not the per-
petuity of our nation, there can be no
doubt; and when those In control OF our
government can satisfy themselves In
a certain course OF action by saying Is
there is no constitutional or legal war
rant for II, there ought to be, 1t is
short step to a feeling among the peo-
pie that II the laws made for theiD
control and guidance do not permit
them to do everything they desire. such
laws may be despised and disregarded.
I'm view OF impending dangers con-
fessed by the statements OF our coun-
try's need, no more lofty or important
work can employ the efforts OF Chris
tian workers, than the earnest revival
OF Reverence for Law Yours very
trdly,
GROVER CLEVELAND"
In a reply dated June 3. 1900, ex-
President Benjamin Harrison refers to
his speech at Knoxville, Tenn, April
IA, 1884, from which is made the fol-
lowing extract:
I'VE live in a government OF law.
The compact OF our organization Is that
a majority OF our people, taking those
methods which are prescribed by the
constitution and law, shall determine
our public policies and choose our rul-
\ers. 1t Is our solemn compact; 1t can
not safely be broken. We may safely
differ about policies; we may divide
upon the question as to what shall be
the law: but when the law Is once en-
acted no community can safely divide
on the question of implicit obedience to
the law. 1t is the one rule of conduct
for us all. I may choose as president
what laws I will enforce. and the citi-
zen may not choose what laws he will
obey. Upon this broad principle, our
institutions rest. III we save II, all the
agitations and tumults of our cam
paigns. exciting though they may be,
will be harmless to move our govern
ment from It's safe and abiding founda-
ton. II We abandon II. all Is gone.
Therefore, my appeal everywhere Is to
hold the law in veneratlon and rever-
ence. We have no other king; public
officers are your servants: but In tho
august and majestic presence OF the
law we all uncover and bow the knee"