The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-02-27

.
inely their respect for him grew Into
confidence. They vested him with alb
solute power, to make aud repeal all
laws that he saw lit.
Before Solon's advent on the politi-
cal horizon of Athens. the judiciary
was dominated by the cruel laws that
Draco ingrafted upon it. Instead Of
making the people respect the laws
and the, government, the judiciary
made the people sullen and Indifferent.
Capital punishment was inflicted for
all Offenses, even tho one stole All ap-
pie. Solon repealed all of these brutal
laws, and the people at once breathed
more freely aud began to take an in
terest in life. This epoch marks the
renaissance in Greek art, literature,
and craftsmanship. In these fields Of
endeavOr the Greeks became supreme,
and even unto this day her wonderful
works in sculpture have been the mar
vel of art c0nnOisseurs.
One Of his most peculiar laws pro-
vided for disfranchising those who re-
nained neuter in time of sedition.
This shows that the great lawgiver
had a very poor opinion of the man
who had not the moral stamina to
openly champion, either side, but who
stood supinely by while others fought
the battles of their country. He be-
lieved that every man should possess
the courage of his convictions; and
that the man who was moral coward
in time of danger, should not have q
voice in regulating the affairs of his
government.
The procedure of administering the
laws was SO thoroughly. reformed that
it was impossible for the rich to i'm
pose upon the credhlity of their less
unfortunate citizens; aud no one could
seize the person of another and hold
him in servitude for debt In speak
ing of this part of his new system
Scion, in one of his poetical pieces said: !:
'Such power gave the people as might do,
Abridged not what they had, nor layished new.
Those who were great in wealth and high in place.
My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace.
Before them both held my shield of might.
And let not either touch the others right"
Scion also was just as solicitous in
regard to the laws governing marriage
as are the people Of today, but he was
a great deal more strict. He pro-
hibited the giving of dowries; he
thought three suits of clothes were
sufficient. Marriages" said SoIoD,
SHOULD not be contracted for gain or
all estate, but for pure love, kind at.
fection, and birth of children These
high ideals are worthy of adoption III
this country today, especially in view
of the fact that so many rich mammas
are selling their daughters for social
prestige abroad-transaction which
have almost invariably turned ont to
be failures. Whenever a young man
married rich elderly woman for her
money, he demanded that they sepa-
rate and that he marry a woman more
nearly his own age. We may scoff at
the people of ancient Athens because
they were intidels, nevertheless they
did not trifle with the truth. When
such eminent men as Soloh and others
retired to their bathtub to think, they
evolved correct ideas as to what was
just and what was unjust Ii Scion
was to appear in the United States
Senate today he could easily master
some of the welghty problems which
now perplex that distinguished body
of lawmakers.
So far we have only mentioned a
few OF the many commendable laws
which Scion put into operation. We
shall enumerate few more, but it is
impossible to give ali of them in this
brief sketch. When the great law
maker prohibited the people from
speaking evil of the dead, he passed an
edict that has met the hearty approval
of the people of all ages. He also ad-
vised them to be courteous in the tenn
Piles, in the courts of Justice, and at
their games. 'For not to control pas
sion," said he, sshows weak nature
and ili-breeding." Before his time no
wills could be made; ones possessions