The Newtown bee., 1905-02-10

"
 The Moral Law, which is revealed tC us in the Holy Scriptures, defines in general our duties toward God, and our duties toward our fellow men. This is the basis of our moral stand ards in this land. The Decalogue is given to us in the negative form to re- strain us from abuse; but Christ sums up the meaning of the Commandments in two positive injunctions: Love to God, and love to man. We are not only not to do evil; but we are to do good. Now, here comes in the science of ethics. "The science of right conduct and character; the science which treats of the nature and grounds of moral obligation and of the rules which ought to determine conduct in accordance with this obligation; the doctrine of mans duty in respect to himself and the rights of others. !" Ethics may include the moral sciences in general; moral philosophy, the civil law, international law, and political economy: with history in it's relations to government.
 Human laws, as embodied in our public statutes are supposed to be con- sistent with the moral law, and to be in accord with received principles of ethical science. The divine law is perfect of course. But the application of the law of God by imperfect, finite beings to the mutual relations and in- terests of practical living, may or may not be absolutely right or even equita- ble. Not only that, but in the nature of things there are questions of ex- pediency. What is best under the cir cumstances may be the highest practi- cal wisdom. As it has been said by an English statesman: "Through the whole system of society expediency is the only governing principle" We do not know what is best for us all, in many respects, until we have tried the experiment. Hence law-making, law breaking, and law-mending, or repeal ing is going on all the while; and as a matter of fact we have so many dead laws, and so many laws that are in- effectual, or of doubtful value that most people have little sense of law at all.
 What do our public statutes propose to do at most? Simply to restrain evil doers from the abuse of common privi- leges; and to adjust the relations and dealings of those who, one or both, need to be forced to do what is right. If every citizen observed the Golden Rule in spirit and in truth we should need very few of the innumerable laws which are framed to regulate our com plex modern life. We coerce men to do right, or we compromise our differ ences so as to dwell together in peace; but our human laws are not meant to be the standard of our moral character and conduct. The moral life has to do with motives, intentions, and the righteousness of God, in personal con- duct; at least in Christian ethics.
 Some extreme temperance people object to license law as being immoral in itself. But in the legal sense license is intended to restrict and regulate the sale of intoxicants so as to prevent indiscriminate traffic and abuse. And it is claimed by many good citizens, and consistent temperance advocates that 1t has the desired effect. In par ticular, '"The principle of high license is regarded as an efficient agency for the promotion of temperance. In other words license is partial prohibit tiOn. The legal right is limited to those who have the legal permission, under certain conditions None others have the legal right.
 What is the object? To prevent abuse. This is the object of all license regulations. The law does not make the business moral nor respectable. On the face of it the State declares the business to be dangerous. Neither does the State make the business i'm moral in itself. It simply aims to pro- tect society against abuses. High ex- plosives are dangerous. Therefore no one has legal right to sell dynamite without license. Dogs are danger ous, and no one has right to keep one without license. Auctioneers, barbers, pawnbrokers, junk-dealers, insane asylums, peddlers, pilots, and plumb CTS are licensed. A man cannot get married without license. But mar riage is honorable just the same. The law simply regulates; the moral effect of any law depends upon the public conscience, whether it is enforced, or disregarded.
 If could have my way there would be no saloons, and no public drinking places; but%every man should drink at home, if he must imbibe; or at least in private. But I am not having it my way yet; and the question of pres ent expediency is perplexing. Reform CT, probably, knows just what to do
 Dr Carroll D. Wright says: 'The method of assessing high license that shall in itself be prohibitory on the lower grades of saloons and liquor stores has great weight, and is very popular in many localities. Through it revenue is increased, and the mum Der of places where liquor can be ob tained decreased. Much popular in dignation is usually expressed agains
 this method because of the tendenc.
 to make the liquor traffic aristocratic and to prevent the man of small mean from obtaining what others of 1arQe