The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10

I
do are wrong; but the emotions and i'm
pulses which govern them and their con-
| hdence in their own judgment are stronger
| THAI their respect for the law. They now
see that those who set themselves up as
guides also have periods of mental aber-
ration and emotional excitement when
| they also consider their judgment supreme
authority. In short, this whole business
| is an object lesson on the safety with
which law breaking instincts and impulses
| can be INDUCED in in a civilized COM
munity. 1t is thing which tends, in all
its notoriety. to weaken respect for law.
and that is~about as unfortunate a thing
as could happen at this time in this coun-
try.
1t has as yet been recognized only DIM
| Iy by the great mass of the American peo-
pie that law has changed its aspect from
that of person to that of principle. We
| have thrown off the authority of king;
we have thrown off in great measure, the
authority of religion as it existed in the
| days of its despotism; we have disregard
| ed one tradition after another, making our
own as necessity, convenience, or reason
| happened to dictate. The thing which the
people of this and other countries have
yet to learn is that law is an imperious,
| inlmutable. righteous force no more to be
disobeyed with impunity than the physical
force of gravitation; not caprice. or a
| fiat, but a fact. 1t was said OF old:
''whosoever shall fall upon this stone shall be
| broken. but upon whomsoever this stone shall
| fall it shall grind him to powder
This may be taken TO mean that there is
| difference in degree not in kind, be-
| tween the ignorant offender who comes in
| conflict with some law, is punished, and
| learns his lesson. and the one who DELHI
| erately, and with determination, tries
conclusions with it. 1t will not do to try
conclusions with the great laws of
| righteousness. Human nature is not
strong enough. If one comes ignorantiy
| in conflict with them let him learn his
| lesson and not try it again. To continue
| the attempt is as futile as it would be for
| man, having once learned that fire
! scorches the flesh, to take hold of red
| hot poker and lose the use Of his hand.
This great fact of the existence of law
principle of which, through innumerable
| trials and experiments, mankind is slowly
| discovering the nature-is as yet some
| what dim to the people. They are more
| or less at sea; they are not sure whether
| there is any moral law. if the old tradi
| tions are not trustworthy. 1t Is. then, of
| the utmost Importance that they should
| be led. as fast as possible, to understand
the existence of principles, which cannot
be violated with impunity. and which have
been established through ages of effort
and haif-blind struggling toward the light
When man understands what law really
is then he can safely be law unto him
self, for the principles of right living are
the same in all ages. Until that time he
| must respect and strive to enforce, the
letter OF the law for only in this way can
ordinances which are really for the good
of the people be evolved. Wanton viola
ton of the ordinances which at present
exist is simply an encoura cement to an
archy, not only social, but moral. Tire
| unwritten sentiment of society changes
from time to time. and he who defes it
takes the consequences. II he thinks it
worth while. and in time he changes the
tone for better or worse. But the laws
which are written on the statute books
must be changed In the appointed way;
and no good can come Of disregarding
them and making them dead letter. That
is exactly what all this Kansas business
amounts to. The legislators. by putting a
law which they cannot enforce in nominal
operation, and Mrs. Nation. by taking ad-
vantage of the fact that she is a woman
TO break it with impunity. are both de-
moraliZing influences; and that is why
this seemingly absurd, grotesque and IN
important saloon wrecker has received SO
much attention.