The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-21

sentials Of organized society. Com
munity life is dependent upon law
good community life upon good laws
and their faithful Observance. Penal
statutes repress the outward manifes-
tations Of selfish disregard for other
people. These statutes forbid the per-
version OF individual liberty TO per-
sonal license. Law cannot per sc re-
generate a mans heart, but though
ou's heart may Toe flled with malice
and all uncleannesS. the law Thou
shalt not" with its penalty attach
merit, very largely presents the COM
mission of overt acts Of the anarchist
or lihertine, and thus men are made
cood by law" and by law is the
moral veal or the community con
served
Keeping clearly IN view the d!stinc-
ton between outward action" which
is the civil laws peculiar function
and pure heart within with
which religion deals-ls It not the
truth 20 s.ss that the laws OF organ
tied society which forbid the com
mission II the untoward outward acts.
Ivy their restraining and educative in
iucnCes. are also vitality effective in
actually making men good 80 And in
IT'S final and ultimate analysis * II
not the purpose Of all good law to
make men good? The great apostle
10 the Gentites declared he would not
have known SIN except for the pro-
hihitlve Thou shalt not" and that
The EaN was School master" TO
bring men 70 the Lord he so faith
fully proclaimed, Il was alive with
ont the law once but when the com
mandment came. sin revived and ]
died"
Frequent sueers are made at moral
laws. the moral legislature" the
moral squad" ana SO on. AZ II any
law. legislative body or constabulary
should ne other than highly moral"
The highest aud best liberty Of all
good citizens is safe guarded by
moral laws 1t Is only those who
would revol in the unrestraints Of a
personal liberty" that disregards the
welfare ana comforts of the com
murity that sheer at making men
sood ~ law
Happily. along with The broader
vision Of he functions Of law there Is
q more insistent demand for law-en-
forcement, which is making for great
CT public order and decency. The day
of selfish Sinking of the plain -dHty
70 cooperate with officers Of the law
in the discta~~ of their sNcred duties
is fast passing II cannot be said too
every man is an officer. or IL you
choose. his society brothers keeper!
Not that 1t would be excusa BILE fer a
citizen 70 usurp the peculiar official
preroRatiye or become secret busy
body-spies into HIS neiohbor's af-
fairs-but that larger community
spirit which would not ~ermit n mis-
chicvous violation Of statute where
by harm il being done TO the com
munity, unknown to the authorities.
Yes men are made good by law"--
communities are made good "hy law' :
The prea mhle To the fundamental law
Of this republic voices the. purpose OF
more perfect union for social de
fense-to promote tranquilit', and Sc
cure the blessings Of liberty peace
and happiness: and II IN nil done by
law, Those who are disturbed at
the widening scope Of what they desig-
nate moral legislation" had best get
"A better perspective OF the functions Of
law and rive their sympathy and sup
port to all efforts 10 make happier
and better the community in which
they move, and Of the wholesome laws
OF which They arc the kicking bene-
fictaries
w VI. BICKERs
Richmond Va, July 20, 1916.