Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1920-12-15

l
but tho certainty Of punishment that
commands respect for the law. That
certainty which tho good taxpayer
and citizen has Il right to expect
must come Of a healthy and proper
public opinion. Who can have re-
spect for the blatant prohibitionist
who always has his handbag with
him? How can we expect proper
| respect for law when we cannot get
through our court houses without a
Whit Of liquor? He that Is without
sin should cast the first stone. IF q
person does not intend fully to live
within the law he should not accept
the trust of being Il public officer
Little can be expected Of hypocritical
officers, clergy, teachers or other
prominent persOnages, when they
throw their influence against proper
respect or observance. One Of the
greatest set-backs to a proper observ-
ance Of law was the open violation
by our executive officers on account
Of the prevalence of disease. 1t will
take us years to grow out from
under the influence Of that awful ex-
ample. If 1t was q good remedy then
for the wealthy and well-to-do, why
not for others? 1t is hard for us to
answer why such is the case. The
fact that the rich almost. invariably
escape Just punishment in this
world engenders Il belief and senti-
ment In others that they can violate
the law with impunity and get by
without suffering any hardship. No
one suffers alone. Every boy is dear
to some one, and in no instance can
he suffer alone. Even if ii is fine,
it falls heavy on some poor parent
who can little afford to bear it. But
the humiliation often cuts deeper |,
than any one knows.
The great mass Of the people are |
law-abiding and do right for the sake |
Of righteousness, and they must
finally pay the bills for all lawless-
ness. They do not want profit made |
off Of criminals. What they want is
to make good citizens out Of all who
are waywardly inclined. It is gen
orally admitted that the lack of pa
rental reverence is the most potent .
factor in producing the conditions
with which we are now afflicted. The
influence of the mother, the queen
Of the home, is waning and giving
place to wild schemes, sowing wild
oats, all OF which tend to loosen the
pie better.h Every violation of law is
spot on the public. generally speak
ing. u
The press Of tho country is the
main dependence to reform public
sentiment and bring about a proper
respect for the rights Of others. In
order to accomplish that desired re-
suit not only the editorial, but other
columns, ought to be constantly per-
meatcd with helpful suggestions that
will reach all classes, for we must
have healthy sentiment TO do right
for the sake Of right, and for the
sake of our greatest Law-giver. None
Of us like to constitute ourselves the
moral adviser for the community, so
as a rule we refrain from saying or
doing anything, oft-times. when we
should speak. We also have an alb
horrence for paid advice or paid ad-
yisers.
The suggestion is made that an
organization to be called "The Law
Observance Society" be formed in
each county Of the whole country and
maintain members in every school
district Or other local division, for
| the purpose Of supervising and CIV
Ing to the public wholesome infor-
nation that will bring about better
| conditions for the proper observance
OF law and the rights of others. 1t
would be good idea to begin this
ny having meeting at the Court
House IN every county on the first
! Monday-thc third day Of January
to formulate sufficient plans. Every
one having any duty to perform in
| connection with such an organiZa-
tion should render the service freely
and voluntarily, without compensa-
ton or the hope thereof. How many
people who read this are willing to
support the idea and go forward to
happy realization? 1t will divide
the burden Of the press, which no
doubt will be Welcomed. It will af-
ford certain means Of receiving in
! formation prompted by desire to do
good and rid communities OF law
lessness without offense. II the pro-
position Is put to every one who Is
inclined to do wrong that 1t is an OK
pensivc proposition to him as men,
ber OF the public he will nearly al
ways express himself as not wishing
to- 40 wrong. TO have this influence
at work at all times in every com
munity will certainly have It's effect.
1t Is worth trial at any rate. You
may think it high moral ideal and
that some good will be accomplished
! by holding up a high ideal especially
before the young. This carnival OF
! crime that is now going on is a very
expensive business to the taxpayer
, and something should be done to
! change the current.
Let lis have expressions from many
as to their views, and suggestions OF
remedy j. r. Earle.
Walhalla. Dec. 0. 1920.