Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-08
SELF RESTRAINT.
Editorial in Charleston Gazett.

Editorial in Charleston Gazctte.)
Government is organized self
restrain" That was said by a dis
tinguiShed Republican and it has
the substance of wisdom in it's
every word. Laws are made to pre-
vent crime and injusticc-no, mere
ly TO catch some one and to pun
ish him. The theory is that every
now and then some one may defy
the law; and the punishment is TO
notify and warn all that the law
must be obeyed. The foundation of
government is that each one Surrcn-
dcrs some of his natural rights or
personal liberty in consideration of
the protection and benefits which
organized government brings. But
it is quite apparent that demo-
cracy rests upon the love and the
self-reStrain of the masses of the
people. That self-rcstraint is eX-
hibited in reasonable patience at
necessary delays. Everything can
not be done in a day. 1t is shown
in the forbcarancc at seeming inius-
tice, till the courts can decide
whether or not il is actual or sup
posed injustice. Ii would be anar-
chy to permit each individual or
group to determine that he or they
are the victim of wrong. 1t is es-
Sential to have Self-reStrain in the
details of formulating rules to gov
ern all land in the processes of ac-
certaining and classifying causes
from facts and administering rene
dies.
Without this intelligent self-rc-
straint no people can rise above the
barbarous stage. That we have ris-
en- is proof that the blood of the
race here blended can exercise, in
government that same self-restraint
necessary in social and business
intercourse, yea, even at the fircside
in the home. The right-thinking,
sevel-headed mantle gentleman at
hearts denying himself some
thing nearly all the time. The fell
low who wants TO grab the best APP
pie; to secure the easy chair, or TO
take more than his share of the
space in a public conveyance, is
called hog. Government is moth
ing more than an organization for
mutual protection and Justice and
to give TO the community the COM
bincd power and resources of all.
1t is supposed TO be composed of
gentlemen, rot hogs. The self-rc-
straint that distinguishes the gen
tlCman from the hog at home and
~ all social intercourse. must actu-
ate the citizen in his altitude to this
government.
Right there is the danger today.
War or something is breaking down
sclf-reStraint. Patience seems to be
wahing. "'Forbcarancc is getting
shy. The selfish note is rising. The
self-sacriiicing spirit, shown dur
ing the war, is being replaced by an
impatient, maybe a selfish, tendcn-
Cy that should bcckon every one to
the most conscientious introspcc-
ton. Is it the reaction from the
supreme sacrifice? Is it money
madness? Think this over and help
the world find itself. We cannot
pry up the wages one day and IN
1latc the prices the next and try to
change the money standard as an
antidotc for both. Somebody is not
thihhihb OIL dIt5it' -hdNDc 100 many
have lost their bearings. Is the re-
action straining the nerves of the
country?
1t will work out in the end, but
how much easier if every man
would take to heart now the lesson
that our democracy is built upon
the antipodes Of self-re-
straint.
Every mob, every expression of
Impotence at necessary delays and
every appeal for wild theory not
tested by some reasonable standard
is an evidence of a lack of that es-
scntial Self-rcstraint, always neces-
sary in orderly governments, but
peculiarly needed now when the
world is bleeding from wounds that
need the heshsg art-when this
country needs all it's recuperative
powers-individual and collective.
DO not ask it to run foot-race.
n