The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-12-14
VIC. T.U. COLUMN,
CONDUCTED By MRS. N. L. HOBBS.
By OLIVE Il. CoFrEEN

problems Of citizenship. Matters
that are problems to one mind pre-
cent no difficulties TO another. But
there are many questi ons that con-
front all thoughtful men. The de-
cadc bristles with interrogation
points.
One of the mos. serious Of these
il, does public sentiment create law,
or does law make public opinions
Mary who seem to wish that the re-
forms that will benefit society may
progress, cry out, Law must not be
in advance of public sentiment"
Our fist impulse is to view the
question in the light of history, BE
patient; | will be brief.
But go with me through the ages,
back to clouded, darkened Sinai
We there see God make nation ~
giving law. These laws, the wis
dom and beneficence Of which have
never been disputed were forced up
on this struk Cling, chaotic mass OF
Israelitss by the sword.
Written laws made possible the
freedom, art and literature of Greece.
Even in the Myths Of Rome we
read, "He gave laws that he night
soften the manners OF barbarous
and warlike people.
Then lie who taught the law OF
love cleansed the temple with the
words, IL, is written" and said to
the reb' llious son Of the Jew, "Ren-
der unto Caesar the things that lie
Ca. sar's. y
In the general ruin that followed
the decline Of Roman law, JusIiniar
saved the code that was dis'in' d &c
bring order out OF chaos.
Charlemagne and Alfred, the
Great, held back the barbarian
hordes with one hand, and gave the
people a vigorous administration Of
law with the other Alfred, the
Great, at one time hung forty-foul
Judges for giving an unjust decision
because he knew that to that bar
barous people the judge meant the
law, and his genius discerned that
corrupt law would educate corrupt
people.
France followed sentiment with
out law, and teta the creates
architect of ruin the world has evel
known.
Napoleon did not wait for thu
growth Of public opinion, but plant
ed his cannon in the streets Of Pari
and led the people back to SAINT.
by tie enforcement of law.
Again, law must be above senti
ment, for while sentiment is as full
OF caprice as the fashions that pre-
scribe the garb we wear. law is a
immutable as heaven. The peniu
that compiled the laws that contro
the commercial world did so b,
studying the Roman code enforce,
two thousand years before.
Burke was once arraigned 70
pushing the general principles Q
ljustice and humanity too far agains
the will Of the people. He said il
defense, mo man carries furthe
than do the policy Of making gov
ernments pleasing to the people
But the widest range Of polite com
plaisance is found within the limi,
of Justice" We see that Burke feI
the people should be brought up t
the plane Of justice, that justic
should not be dragged down to tn
plane OF the people.
In the itinerary incident to
teachers life, have worked wit
the people of four different states
and | can trace the characteristics {
each, not to the climate, not to III
physical surroundings, not to th
material wealth or the lack Of ii, bl
to the constitutional laws Of tn
/, commonwealth. Here in our ow
HoOsler state, WI ere he physlc
conditions are the happiest, fin
the trail Of he serpent is over us al
The cry is heard from all parts
the state, 1.-The Nicholson law Cal
not be enforced. Why? Becau
the people are SO enervated by Il
working Of the bad laws that thu
have come to think justice cam
be attained. 1t is the paralysis
despair.
l will give one incident to
Illustrate what ! mean by the CORFU
tion in Indiana. A citizen Of CO
tain county was asked this question
, Elbow did you get rid Of the obno
ious coun y superintendent Of schoc
. in your county," 81 am ashsm
to tell you," was the reply, "b
the truth is we we're determined
get rid Of him ct any cost, and son
wealthy men of the county bOuQ