Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-06-29


by the Grants Pass Woman's Christian
Temperance Union.
De Tocqueville, brilliant French
man, visited this continent during the
year 1881. Upon returning to his
native country be said in commenting
on American life, "No matter how
irksome an enactment may be, the
citizen Of the United States complies
with it, not only because it is the
work of the majority. but because it
is his own, and he regards it as con-
tact to which he himself is party"
Would he have written this statement |
if be had delayed his visit TO the be-
ginning of the Twentieth Century?
Facts are not always pleasant things
to face; but it is much safer course
tnan to ignore them.
Respect for and obedience to law
are two of the esser tial forces that
make for the safety of nation and
the perpetuity of its civilization.
Lawlessness is a dangerous spirit and
is fostered in many ways. Disregard
for law has always been a weakness
and sometimes fatal weakness, of
republics. The first republic of
France was a rein of terror, for ~
years it continued this form Of govern
ment and then ended in an empire
There is such thing as a lswlessness
of government that is equivalent to
despotism. On the other hand there
is popular lawlessness that is equi.
valent to anarchy. Anarchy inevita-
bly, leads to revolution.
The spirit of lswlessness is nur-
tured in many ways The lsxity of
parental discipline in the home and
the total disregard of parental
authority. a sensational press that
prints vice and crime in glowing
colors. The church with its timid
minister and its lukewarm and dis
united membership has its share in
nou-ishing this child. Our public
schools, colleges and universities
which have placed an education above
character help to feed this lusty in
FAINT. The saloon that runs wide open
on Sunday, that sells liquor to minors,
nabitual drunkards. to Indians and
half BREEDS, in conjunction with the
brothel and the gambling den are in
a large measure responsible for its
growth. The aide rman, the legisls-
tor, the representative in congress, the
senator in the United States senate
who betrsy the trusts the people have
placed in their hands, or whose fin
gers are contaminated with bribes are
responsible. The prosecuting attor-
ney, the juror, the judge and all
officers who wink at open violation of
law are perpetuating its growth.
And last but by no means the least
factor in its development is the voter
who votes for such men to hold re-
sponsible positions. The voter is in
a large measure responsible for it all
II is because the voter tolerstes this
violation of Jaw, that the foundations
Of our government are being under
mined, and our bossted American
liberty endangered. The average
American citizen does not seem to be
able to distinguish the difference be-
tween liberty and license.
What is the remedy for all these
sources Of evil? Thew tell us it is to
come through the process of education.
Education Of the intellect alone will
not suffice. Many of this nations
most fragrant acts of lawlessness have
been committed BY the so-called
highly educated. Education is not a
remedy 1t may assist but can never
effect a sacrifice. There is but one
remedy We must have virtuous,
intelligent, industrious Courageous,
patriotic, God-fearing people. This,
and this alone is the remedy. How
can we produce such a people? The
home, the public school. the college,
the university, the church of Jesus
Christ and all other institutions that
make for Righteousness must unite on
one proposition-the production Of /
manly men and wonanly women.
Character must be exalted above .
shrewdness, or knowledge, or sill or
anything else. The writer believes .
that the enterual veritjes Of the Bible .
should be taught in every school, col. /
lege and university Of the land He
also believes that they should not only /
be taught, but practic- d in every
school Furthermore be believes that
as American citizens sre loyal to God
and righteousness they best discharge
their debt to the republic and hu-
manity. Since men are not ready to
do that which is right. because il is
right, therefore might must rule un-
til right is ready. &C. O. Beckman.