The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1919-12-12
COURTS MUST FUNCTION.

4 1t is the advice of The Herald, as
it is of all good citizens, to those who
suffer from grievances, real or fan
cied, to "let the law take its course"
BY this familiar and time worn phrase
it is intended that parties in interest
will abandon the barbaric idea Of per-
sonal revenge, and will settle with
their fellows any differences that may
exist through the orderly processes
that have been established for that
purpose. Good citizens follow this ad-
vice; they submit their wrongs to the
adjudication of the tribunal estab-
lished by the constitution and the laws
for that purpose.
Under our system courts are insti-
tuted to adjudicate differences be-
tween individuals and to punish
wrong doing upon the part of citizens.
If one citizen perpetrates an outrage
or an indignity upon another citizen
there is but one lawful recourse for
the injured citizen and that is to ap-
peal for protection or vindication to
the courts duly established. There has
been a gratifyingly increased tenden-
cy to take this course in recent years,
but advice of this character will hard
ly be accepted unless the person so
advised has some r1Don to have con-
fdence that his WEE will be right
ed in the tribunal to which he appeals.
In other words the success Of our
system, infinitely preferable to any yet
devised by mankind, lies wholly in
public confidence in the tribunal es-
tablished.. That confidence will not
exist unless the court functions at all
times. If there is reason to suspect
that it is inefficient, Indifferent, care
less or corrupt it's usefulness is all
but destroyed Courts must be as
Caesar would have his wife, beyond
suspicion"
In the judge who presides and holds
these courts is vested a tremendous
power and correspondingly great
responsibility. He cannot, of course, be
held responsible for miscarriage of
justice through the conduct of trial
juries. But upon him devolves the
responsibility for having the machin-
cry of the law set in motion.
1t may be taken for granted that all
good citizens agree with the forego-
ing conclusions. But that is not sutfi-
cient. No judge, however, brave, and
it requires a high degree Of moral
courage to make good judge, or how
over determined he may be to execute
the law can obtain results unless he
has the support and the cooperation
OF other good citizens. That is whore
too many good citizens fail, They
take only negative interest in the af-
fairs of the court and their country.
They lack the initiative, the courage
or the willingness to sacrifice which
are essential qualifications for the
making of really good and true citi-
Zens.
1t is just as necessary that men
should be willing to make some sacri-
fees in time of peace for the good OF
Their country as it is that they should
offer their lives in time of war. AS
this journal has frequently remarked
the Indifferent citizen is the chief me-
mace to peace and safety. If he can
hide behind some bold or courageous
official he will privately express APP
prevail of a contest for the right, but
excuse him from getting out in the
open. That is not to be thought OF
Even those who express approval of
a newspapers aggressive attitude for
civic righteousness not infrequently
go to the official criticised with eX-
pressions of sympathy. In other words
Mr.. Average Citizen is a great artist
at currying favor with both sides. He
likes nothing better than a ride with
the hare and hounds.