Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-09-23
LAW And ORDER.

tiles in any direction would likely
Glaine widely different causes. In
fact any group of men or women
would likely name as many causes
Tor the existing crime to-day rs
there might be individuals in any
given group. Perhaps anyone would
point out Il cause, real Or imaginary
and with equal alacriiy remedy
either real or imaginary.
Some will SAY the war, others the
great number OF idle people in the
country. Still others are prone TO
place it. to Il greater or less extent,
Oh physical defects or other latent
diseases. But whatever the cause
be. whatever contributing elements
may enter into the great crime wave
that has been and Is still cnsulfing
the country, thcTe is one great big
central truth which presents itself
and which towers far above every
thing else and should command the
attention Of every Sobcr-mindcd
and sanclythinking man and wo-
man. That great truth is that there
is something fundamentally wrong
and that wrong needs to be needed
and TO be rightcd.
This unrest, this crime wave. in
all its variod manifestations, has
sci back our real progress and adj
Eancemcnt many years. We may
well ask ourselves, whittier are we
going, and what is wrong with the
route in which We are travelling?
Why is the human family, when
10
strain, or adjust itself to new SUR
roundinSs and conditions, ready TO
collapse? DO we get the lesson that
we can not Judge ourselves by any
normal cndeavor We may be MAX
ing? Progress being made under
conditions OF little or no effort, I'M
der circumstances when things
move rs of their own inmate
strength, is no test of our ability.
our strength or our character. II
Is only at the testing time, that our
real selves are known. This is true
Of us as individuals as well as col
Iectivcly. 1t is only at the testing
lime that latent strength and latent
weakness is shown. :.
NOW to get TO fundamentals, the
wrong to-day is The prcpondcrancc
OF the latent strength or the latent
weakness in humanity which
makes up the sum total of the peo-
PIE OF our nation to-day.
In the testing time we have Do>i
ihro and axe still passing thro
there has been revealed the pro.
porfionate degree of the strength
ana weakness of our society. Ii is
moi our purpose to go into detail.
Every evasion of law; every break
'ns OF law: every crime: every com
promise OF the right, for policy sake
or oihcrwIsc. no matter by whom,
mas SHOWN our weakness. Every
STAND Tor the right has shown our
SircnBth. 1t is a question TO-DAY
"hclhcr we are even balancing The
scales. AS we have progressed has
society 4 preponderancc of strength
or has she prcpondcrancc OF
weakness? We do not attcmu; IL
answer, but we do want our Readers
10 mink. This is no abstract qucs-
non: 1t is plain everyday prac.
neal question which confronis us
1t will not down. 1t is before us
1"SS to-uay's conditions IichiI,
by and we march to our ruin. Face
mem, fathOm them, remedy them
ana We achieve; we regain VIVA,
we have lost and 80 forward on 9
hrncr foundation. We need posi-.
i've III has been loo long negative,
realization Of the Responsibilities
and duties OF citizenship. By some
mighty Migratory shock, we ms
sense the TACT that the manhood and
""hanilood Of this country is the
government; and We musI learn
maj no stream can rise above IFS
source. This Government can he
bood, can prosper only to the OK.
1cnl thai The real manhood and wo.
manhood became intensely and mn.
Sel'Shly interested in the Govern.
incnt. BY this, il must be under.
$1,000 That this interest extends &c
ana includes the weakness of I'm.
Inanity. If we do not strengthen
the weaker link we can mol II,
Shong. This link must be strength.
rncd, educated and made cauablc
rms Is the task before us. As A.
mleric7rS, all else is insignifican,
We LII America, must have a visior
.! America and act and do as /.
merIcans. One fundamental w
must have and that is new rcaDi
Zalnp OF and appreciation 81
HOME.
1his is the first cornerstone Ic
winch We must make firm anchor
Make an anchorage so inclusive
thai we comprehend all that HON,
means, Is and should be. Home i,
me corner stone of all society
whether 1t be considered in mere
social way or as the state.
Some one has said that ,hc