The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-02-20
WITH THE EDITORS.
WAR PICTURES AND THE SABBATH.

When at the time of the showing Of the war pic
lures on a Sunday three weeks ago it became known
that an effort was being made, or was to be maze,
to invoke the law in order to prevent the exhibition
of similar pictures under similar conditions on future
Sundays a great many people received that lnter
nation at first with incredulity, and then with
amazement These pictures the cause in which they
were shown and the conditions surrounding the
showing, were so far removed in most minds from
all thought of entertainment that a large number
of citizens found it difficult TO establish connec-
ton between the showing of these pictures and the
state law against Sunday anlusements. Formal no
tce having been given that further showing, if at
tempted, would be stopped ty LEGAL process or that
legal means would be eel to punish those respon-
sble for the showing, the matter became one OF
public concern and it has recclvcd its share Of public
attention.
These pictures are issued under the authority OF
the United States. government for the purpose OF
stimulating patriotic thought. and OF famlllarlzlng
the people at home with the work and the surround
ings of our soldiers in camp and in the field. 1t is
the desire Of the government that they be seen by as
many people as possible and that the cost Of produc
ing and distributing them be distributed in such man
ner that this activity will not absorb public funds
which are needed for other purposes. The State
Council of Defense has assumed responsibility for
the handling Of the pictures in this state, and the
work of handling of the pictures in Grand Forks has
been delegated to the executive committee Of the
Home Loyalty league. All Of this has been fully
set forth in the statement made by the committee
a week ago, together with the reasons why Sunday
was selected the most suitable day for the show
ing in this city.
The committee has been advised that the showing
of these pictures on Sunday will rot be violation of
the state law, and relies on that advice. Attorney
General LANCER appears to be the contrary opinion
but Mr. hangers guesses to what is legal and what
is rot have been Of such character in the past that
one is disposed to look for some confederation be-
fore accepting his opinion on disputed question
This question, however, is one which involves more
than strict construction of the letter Of the law
In his very forceful discussion of the subject Colonel
McVey has called attention to the manifest absurd
tiles which are still permitted to continue under
some statute books under the guise of law. The
illustrations which he gave could have been multi
piled many times.
There reasonable warrant for the belief that the
Sunday showing is not even technical violation of
law AS to that, Of course, cannot be certain in
the absence Of ruling by a court of proper juris
diction Assuming that there is literal violation if
that fact is established in court and the appropriate
orders issued the order must be obeyed, and the
law if not respected, must be observed. But by
what process of reasoning can the appeal to law,
which is appeal to force be justified in this par
tlcular case. The Herald dis5ents most emphatical
~ from the view that their is any parallel between
whatever illegalty there may be in the showing of
these pictures and the illegal acts committed for in
stance, by Germany in this war In the showing of
the pictures any day of the week the rights of no
Individual attacked, the freedom of no indivi-
dual is in no manner abriged. There is no disturb
ance Of the public peace No person is deprived of
his property Of his freedom of action There is no
compusion in the matter. Those who, from cons
clentious reasons do not wish to attend are not
required to do so.. There is no possible violation
except by bare possibility of technicality in law
which was not and could not have been intended to
apply TO such case as this
On the other hand the purpose, and the sole pur-
pose OF showing of these pictures is constructive
cnc entirely in accord with the spirit of the nation
and with the principles of the Christian religion
We are seeking, through the use of the military
force ct the nation, to accomplish certain things
We are trying to overthrow the forces of evil which
are represented in the efforts of an ambitious auto
cracy to impose its rule upon the world We are
engaged in war as holy as any that human beings
ever undertook. There is needed in that war the
unity of effort and the concentration of spirit not
merely Of men, who bear arms, but whole peoples.
These pictures have been prepared for the purpose
of bringing to the people information and inspiration
and they constitute means for the qualification of
patriotic sentiment and the increase of its effective
ness. -,
The Herald is convinced that no better or more it,
ting use could be made Of portion of the Christian
Sabbath than the holding of meetings at which the
showing OF these pictures will be conspicuous fea-
ture.. On that point there is room for difference
Of opinion But it does seem that under all crcum-
stances the suppression Of the Sunday showing by
force, that Is to be attempted, will be reyersion
70 the dark ages when men were required 70 con
form, not merely their acts but their very thoughts
to the will Of those who happened for the moment TO
hod H. Instr 81 te lAw IN
Grand Forks Herald