The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-02-06
PRINCIPLE ON. WHICH
TO BAsE LEGISLATION
Separate the Sphere Of Spiritual
Effort From That Of Judge
: and Policeman.
MORALITY AND RELIGION
DEGRADED BY TYRANNY.
Enforcement Of Private Virtues
by Legal Coercion is Tyran-
nical in Essence.

The following cogent and forcible
argument against the theory Of pro-
htbition is taken from Frederic Harrf-
sons lately published book, Realities I
and ideals" (The Macmillan com
Mr.. Harrison'sc regulations as
a thinker, philosopher and sociologist
Is Of the highest, and he has a great
audience In this country as well as
In England. His books, always marked
by vigorous and original thought and
by a style of remarkable grace and
hexibility, are the delight Of the culti
waited everywhere.
Introduction.
propose to say a few words upon
a single definite point in a very broat1
and complicated question, and to ex-S
press my own personal view without
attempting to dogmatize for others.
desire to assert principle and not
to discuss any special agitation or. bill,
muen less to argue the drink trade on
party grounds; and I shall purposely
put aside subordinate practical ques-
tions arising out Of temporary and
local conditions. The social obliga-
tions that group around the religion
Of humanity are not local, nor are
they national; and they are inlepend-
ent Of climate, race and habits Of each
local society. I wish to deal with one
supreme moral and social principle
which should govern all that we do
and say in practical legislation.
Principle Stated.
The principle is, that the enforce
ment of moral practice by legal
coercion upon the vote of any majority
whatever, is of the essence of, tyranny
and has in it all the evil of religious
persecution. It is an attempt to effect
by force and law a moral and social
reform which can only be tealthily
promoted by moral and spiritual
agencies. It involves the abandon-5
ment Of moral effect for material
penalties which Is one of the most
fatal tendencies OF our age, a ten
EEdency which 1taifzes cove. .s1nleast
whilst It ,1fscreuits religion. The great
triumph OF Christianity, as Comte has
shown more powerfully tnan any
preacher Of the gospel, was to separ-
ate the sphere of moral and spiritual
influence from the iron grip Of the
judge and the policeman. Possdtivism
is, In its essence, a. revival of the
eternal problem, how to found a spir-
itual power apart from any material
power. And on tnat ground 1T has
steadfastly opposed all state religions,
all compulsory orthodoxy, all enforced
education, all morality by act Of par.
lament, and virtue appraised by the
civil magistrate. It is for teachers,
preachers and philanthropists to make
men sober, chaste, temperate, un-
selfish and Industrious. It is for the
magistrate and police to punish dis.
order, crime, all forms Of recognized
offenses and personal injuries, ma
terial, civil or moral. On this ground,
which is the foundation of civil and
religious government, it is tyranny to
penalize habits which masses Of good
and wise men regard as innocent and
even salutary. For my part, I look
on any Interior aim Of abolishing all.
cohol by statute as an insidious form
Of spiritual tyranny. ~. i - @
Stringent Laws Favored.
Though the venom of fanatism Is
not to be diverted by any proviso or.
disclaimer, I wish to make it clear
that I am not suggesting a word.
against stringent regulations of the
public sale of alcohol, and of all pub
lie places where it is served; nor
against any penalties on public In
toxication, or on acts committed un-5
der the influence of drink, or an in-.
citement and connivance to drunken
ness. It. is a practical question for
which mucn may be urged, whether
great reforms in law and administra-
tion are not still needed. It may be
desirable to strengthen the law max
ing intoxication in public a. crime.
1ntoxication in public stands on the
same fotting as public act Of in
decency, on the public use ola lam
gerous beast. To encourage or to al
low drunkenness in any public resort
may fairly be made a serious crime
in those responsible for ITS good con-
duct. And II the tavern keeper is:
tine mere agent of the drink merchant,
it may be q ]. further duty to send.
the drink merchant himself to prison
when duly affected with legal notice
Of his agents offense. It may be high.
time to deprive the magistracy OF
powers which they have sometimes
abused in the interest Of. brewers, as
they have In the interest Of game
preservers and many powerful persons
and corporations. s
An 2Anti-soeial Tyranny.
But all these matters sof public POI