Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-03-20

Will bHOW Gndp, 0V0u ~ buo pFocCut
day, though tribunals based upon
force may deal with exceptional de-
viations from the general rule of con-
duct, no tribunal and no force is
of any avail at all when once the ex-
ceptions are so numerous that the rule
cannot be said to be generally OBJ
served.
This definition paraphrases legal
maxims, supported by human expert
ence of centuries of experiments in
law. 1t is recognized in all free
countries that no law which is oppos-
ed by majority sentiment of the
people can be enforced. This applies
to excessive punishments for acts
recognized as crimes against society
when legislation against the acts
themselves are universally approved.
1t applies with special force to laws
creating crimes; that is, laws making
criminal and prescribing punishment
for acts in themselves innocent and
harmless. To this class belong all
sumptusry acts such as prohibitions
of drink, food or habit which in them
selves are neither unusual nor harm
full, nor infringe upon the rights OF
others or the public peace and order.
We call the attention of those who
are trying to force through Legisla-
lures drastic laws for the enforce
ment OF the Federal prohibition
amendment to this definition. Legal
prohibition is in itself an assault upon
personal liberty and is difficult to en-
force in its mildest form, but when 1t
is supplemented by drastic laws which
break down all the barriers which
sound guarantees of freedom and
security in the person and the home
have erected, and invade ell rights;
when they revive search and seizure
on suspicion or mere information, ar
rest, confscation and enforced in
eliminating testimony, they exceed
all bounds of right and reason and are
doomed to failure. They will bring
law into contempt and hatred.
This warning should be needed in
particular by the prohibitionists In
states like Missouri, where there is q
strong majority opposition. How
| will it be possible to obtain the en-
forcement of such a drastic law as
that now pending in the Missouri
General Assembly, when the people
of Missouri have persistently voted
down prohibition in any form? vii
juries approve the drastic provision
of the laws? Can courts and law off
GERS enfore them against public senti'
ment?
Under our theory and practice oi
free government law is the express
sion of public sentiment. When laws
embody policies not only opposed by
majority sentiment but contrary tc
fundamental principles and guaran'
tees of rights and liberties they be-
come mockeries. This is the fata
weakness of all prohibitory laws deal
ing with personal conduct not Grimm
al or disorderly. To destroy the sa
loon is an easy matter, but to subjec
individual citizens to tyrannical sur
VIGILANCE, despotic regulation, un
warrantable legal processes and ex
cessive punishments for harmless act
is wholly different and outrageou
thing.
| fit were not for the dishonesty
disorder and contempt for law tha
such drastic legislation engenders
the anti-prohibitionists might wei
pray that it be adopted. There is nj
surer and quicker way of sweeping
prohibition into the waste basket
st. Louis Post Dispatch.