The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-06-26
Our Imperfect Realization Of Justice
BY J. c. HIDDEN, D. D

dice in favor of one candidate, or "agfn the other feller"
 Tn the good old days of viva voce's voting old Mir. Mallory of Madison cou1i- ty. Virginia. went to the polls and pumped his vote for a stranger when one of his neighbors was candidate. 'Whys you don't know that man." said by stander. No said Mr Mallory, but know the other man."
 In a red hot campaign in one of our southern states a deacon of my church, known and read of all men," as one of the salt of the earth" said to me: T voted for --- at the primary. and [ am afraid he will be elected" "Afraidr" said l. in astonishment. "Why are you afraid?" Because I'm satisfied that he Is not an honest man. rejoined the deacon
 Another prominent church official said to me: They are saying some mighty hard things against him, but I voted for him because he introduced into the state the best watermelon we've ever had"
 What sort of government are we to expect under such conditions as these7
 But even supposing the laws to be all just and wise, what about their execu- tion? We often boast of our Sdepend- ence; but that great thinker, reasoner, preacher and writer, the Apostle Paul, tells us, in Romans xiv '. that None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself" and 1t Is one of the profoundest and most far-reaching truths that ever came from his pen. Our happiness-nay. our personal comfort, depends largely upon the character and conduct of our neighbors. In no small degree they de- pend upon what our neighbors think of us. What man of good sense and right feeling would be willing to live in com- munity where everybody detested himf When the Gadarenes requested Jesus 10 leave their country, He at once embarked and left; and l do not read that he ever returned. He seems to have been in no danger of violence at their hands; they were probably too badly frightened to offer it. Why. then, did he leave so promptly You may think over the qnes- ton and answer It for yourself.
 But as to the matter of the execution of the laws: It Is positively appalling to think of the almost absolute power which policeman has over our liberty of per- son." A common-I beg pardon a very uncommon, policeman takes 1t into his head to arrest a distinguished scholar and educator and take him to jail. The col- lege president is not even accused of dis order. The whole community is aroused, naturally enough. Few kings now reign Ing anywhere upon this earth would dare to exercise such power. even if they had 1t.
 If President Taft should even attempt 1t 1t would be better for him If he had never been born. and our President has under the constitution. and actually exer- cises, more power than any monarch of England can claim.
 When we reflect that representative re- publican government is the highest form ever devised by the wit of man. and then look around us with open eyes and see how very imperfectly justice is adminis- tered in these United States, we are all most ready to say that the science and the art of government are in their infan- cy. But as we look at the social and moral problems of the day, let us ponder more on the promises of God. Lift up the hands which hang down, and the fec ble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed"
 Then we will take courage. This is Gods world, and not the devils.