The New York herald., 1922-08-27


alton in san Franciso.
control the burden of 1t all becomes
very great.
Behind very many of these enlarging
activities lies the untenable theory that
there Is some short cut to perfection
1t is conceived that there can be a hori-
zontal elevation OF the standards of the
nation, immediate and perceptible. by
the simple device of new laws. This has
never been the case in human expert
ence. Progress Is slow and the result
of long and arduous process of self
discipline. 1t is not conferred upon the
people. 1t comes from the people. In q
republic the law reflects rather than
makes the standard of conduct and the
state of public opinion. Real reform
does not begin with a law, 1t ends with
law. The attempt to- dragon the
body when the need is to convince the
soul will end only in revolt.
Under the attempt to perform the I'M
possible there sets in a general disin-
tegration. When legislation fails, those
who look upon it as a sovereign remedy
simply cry out for more legislation. A
recognizes and attempts to abide by its
limitations will undoubtedly find itself
displaced by that type of public official
who promises much. talks much. legis-
lates much, expends much, but accom-
plishes little. The deliberate, sound
judgment Of the country is likely to find
1t has been superseded by popular
whim. The independence of the legisla-
tor is broken down. The enforcement
Of the law becomes uncertain. The
courts fall in their function Of speedy
and accurate justice: their judgments
are questioned and their independence Is
threatened The law. changed and
changeable on slight -provocation, loses
it's sanctity and authdity. A continu-
alton Of xhis condition opens the road
to- chaos.
These dangers must be recognized
These limits must be Observed Having
embarked the Government upon the en-
terprise of reform and regulation, II
must be realized that, unaided and alone.
it can accomplish very little. 1t is only
one element, and that not the most
powerful, in the promotion Of progress.
When 1t goes into this broad field It
can furnish to the people only what
the people furnish to 1t. Its measure
of success is limited by the measure
of their service.
This is very far from being conclu-
sion of discouragement. 1t is very far
from being a conclusion that what leg
islation cannot do for the people they
20
what can be done by the law is soon
reached, but the limit of what can be
done by an aroused and vigorous citi-
zenship has never been exhausted. In
undertaking to bear these burdens and
solve these problems the Government
needs the continuing indulgence. cooper
alton and support Of the people. When
the public understands that there must
be an increased and increasing effort
such effort will be forthcoming. They
are not ignorant of the personal equa-
tion in the administration Of their af-
fairs. When trouble arises in any quar-
ter they do not inquire what sort of a
law they have there but they inquire
what sort of Governor and sheriff they
have there. They will not long fail to
observe that what kind of government
they have depends upon what kind Of
citizens they have.
1t is time to supplement the appeal 10
law. which is limited. with an appeal TO
the spirit of the people. which is unlim-
ited Some unsettlements disturb, but
they are temporary. Some factious ele-
ments exist but they are small. No as
sessment of the material conditions of
Americans can warrant anything but the
highest courage and the deepest faith.
No reliance upon the national character
has ever been betrayed. No survey
which goes below the surface can fail
TO discover a solid and substantial
foundation for satisfaction. But our
countrymen must remember that they
have and can have no dependence save
themselves. Our institutions are their
institutions. Our Government is their
Government Our laws are their laws
1t is for them to enforce, support and
obey. If in this they fail, there are
none who can succeed. The sanctity OF
duly constituted tribunals must be main
tanned. Undivided allegiance to public
authority must be required. With a cit
izenship which voluntarily establishes
and defends these, the cause of Amer
lea is secure. Without that all else is
of little avail.