The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1919-11-07
ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.


ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.
Are we not carrying the, somewhat
fantastic doctrine of "self determine
ton to the extreme in this commu-
nifty? In other words is it healthy
thing for the body polite to leave
to the conscience and personal incli-
nation of each individual as to what
his attitude toward the law will be-?
1t seems that in this community we
are fast approaching that dangerous
condition where the individual decides
altogether for himself as to whether
or not he will observe or violate or
ignore the law. Vs.
OF course a large proportion of the
population, doubtless majority of
Maury countians have always observ-
ed the law because they were essen
TALLY and by nature law abiding. They
believe in the law They think it
right to comply with the law and
wrong to violate it. Laws are defin-
ed as commanding that which is
right and forbidding that which is
wrong. This is the attitude that the
great majority Of good citizens have
toward the law. But penalties are
prescribed in all laws to force those
who are at heart lawless to observe
them under fear of punishment.
There are in every community men
who are by nature lawless. . They OBJ
I serve the outward conventions of so.
clety and comply with the require
ments of law simply because tney
are afraid not to do so. These men
are held in check because of a whole.
some fear in their hearts that if they
are not observers of the law. they
will be punished. If only the ma
Jority who are law abiding made up
community laws would not require
any penalties, but no such Utopia
has ever existed. 1t probably never
will.
Hence the law abiding majority
finds its security in force that com.
pels that portion of society that is
lawless to observe the law. When of
nclals OF the law are simply idle spec
tators and permit each individual &c
decide for himself whether he is go
ing to observe the law or break it
then the whole civic structure is il
danger For laws are intended fol
the protection of the good members
or society against the depredations OF
the bad. II the law is not enforced
and does not function to this extent
government is q farce and its machin
cry an expensive and useless luxury
Now in all seriousness are we not
approaching dangerously near to that
, condition in this locality? For exam
, pie 1t is known of all men that the
;, Sunday closing ordinance is observed
or it is violated according as mar
! may for himself determine whethe,
, he will submit to or break the law
a Likewise the cigarette law. The mar
!, who believes in the observance Of
! law because 1t is law does not sell eli
garettes The man who prefers tt
break the law sells them. The mi
O nor's tobacco law is in the same cat
, egory, Pistol toting, cock fightins
and gambling are pretty much thu
same way. There are eviences tina
!. the Bookkeeping fraternity does no
= dread the majesty of the law as i
once did
!. Now these laws are what NAV b,
: called minor statutes. The offense.
I are misdemeanors and not felonies
- 1t may be argued that none of thu
9 laws above mentioned are at all es
:. sential to the preservation of ORGANIC
a ed society. Good men believe tina
q some of these laws could be repeale,
o and no violence would be done socie
' ty. Yet all do and must, agree tina
r when a law has been duly enacted il
this country there is but one cours,
, that can be safely followed and tina
,. is to compel all men to observe tina
law. The only proper course for tn
g sworn official of the law, from tn
r. highest to the lowest, is to be eve
V vigilant for the execution of the law
g In the fair and impartial enforcement
n Of the law lies the hope and safety @
n our institutions. Government mus
II function all the time in small as wei
Ie as in large matters il its existenc
A. and cost are justified. ,. Disregard G
~ one law brings all law into contemp
l. Now let US return to normal condition
,e and not carry the rather fantastic do,
y a = a E =