The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-08-15
the STATE AND the CITIZENS,
The Public Safety Commission
authorizes the following statement:

authorizes the following statement:
Be it remembered.
Law enforcement stands upon the |
same basis on which it has rested
from time immemorial among free
people.
Enforcement of law, as it is ever
been, is the duty of the proper
authorities-the United States Mar
shall, the sheriff, the police.
1t is the duty of every citizen, as
it has always been, to aid and sus-
tain the officers who should enforce
the law.
The State cannot and ought not
to interfere in any community until
the resources of it's own people are
exhausted, and their best efforts have
proved futile.
The duty of the Public Safety
Commission begins only where the
laws fail, because citizenship is fee
BILE; or local officers are wrong,
whether from willfulness or weak
ness; or because the enemies of pub
lie ordered are stronger than it's sup.
porters; or because new conditions
are created out of military exigency.
Let civic sense and official fidelity
see to enforcement of the law; there
remains for the Commission it's pro-
per task of meeting new conditions
created by the war-a task that calls
for the peoples utmost strength.
Many reports have come to the
Commission in the last few days Of
movements and meetings that
threaten public order. Requests have
come to the Commission ALMOST every
hour for it's interventica. These re-
ports and requests relate to meet
ings where sedition is uttered, Or
which give birth to seditious senti-
ment.
For actual sedition there is plain
remedy in the law. Wherever any
man violates the law of Minnesota
which forbids encouragement of en-
hstment, or the federal law which
forbids obstruction of the new Un-
tied States army-he should be arrest
ed forthwith and held to answer to
the proper court for his unlawful
acts.
The federal authorities are prepar-
ed to act vigorously. 1t is recognized
however, that the Department of
Justice has not men enough under
the present stress of business to
meet all demands instantly. In many
instances the sheriff will be called
upon to deal with these offenders
under the State law.
Meetings which may result in dis.
order or breach Of peace fall under
the laws relating to unlawful assem-.
bly,. The sheriff and the police off.
GERS are required to inform them.
selves Of such meetings and take
such measures as may be necessary
to avert breach of the peace.
The Public Safety Commission looks
to the County Director in each coun.
ty to cooperate with the authorities
and to keep the Commission Informed
of the course of events The County
Director will have the support OF
the organization under him and OF
all loyal citizens in sustaining the
authorities.
Right public sentiment must: also
be organized. Citizens who uphold
the government must not permit dis
sent to run away with public opinion
Loyalty meetings must smother as
semblies of discomfort. Through thu
newspapers with very few ex
ceptions- cause of the natior
must be set forth.
Violation of law, obstruction o.
the government, hindrance to enlist
ment and to federal duty cannot b.
tolerated.
1t is recognized by the Commission
that hard situations are not to bt
smoothed away by few easy words
To bring all the people to a sense Of
their obligations entails duty anc
sacrifice in every community. Thi:
duty must be shouldered by patriot,
men and women everywhere and tn,
sacrifices must be made.