Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-09-15
TEACH RESPECT FOR THE LAW.

The Superintendent of Schools in
Il western city 4 few days ago Sug--
EcStcd the Introduction of fourth
r. in the schools and have every
teacher instruct the classes in re-
speCt for the law. And it seems in
the light of events and the chaotic
conditions that exist in the country
that nothing holds out more hope
Tor the nation than this instruction.
The necessity for some such move
mcnt has been made obvious BY
thc disregard for law and actual
lawlcSSncSS, to an extent uneQuallcd
in any other country. Violations
have become such common place
10 the American way of thinking
that years Of persistent effort will
be required to bring about changed
conceptions in the minds of the
public.
We have little faith in the process
dor conversion of the criminal ele-
lnent. 1t is difficult to teach old
dogs new tricks, and there cannot
be an immediate respect for the law
impressed upon people who are
III the habit of doing about as they
please. Respect for the law, how
ever can be taught to the boys and
girls. who should be impressed with
tlie fact that being mindful Of the
law is as essential as food or cloth
ing
The increasing pcrnicious idea
that one can commit almost any
kind of il crime and get by is at the
Bottom of this peculiar condition
In America. There has been too
much respect for the man who made
million without particular regard
as to how he made it: too much adj
1niration for the outlaw Of industry
and business. as of the frontier.
without regard To the act that the
Nlolatcr OF law, in any capacity. is
The common enemy Of society.
This condition has been largely
due to the nature Of the country S
development. Americas history
Tor Il considerable period was mark.
ca by successive establishments OF
new communities or frontiers. each
OF which came to make and observe
laws IN hts OWN way. With the
*parScly settled sections of ar
earlier day it was possible. too. 70,
cach individual to be pretty mucl
a law unto himself
But the situation has changed
a1aS been changing for years. while
America has had to suffer from the
natural result Of the older order
with rapidly growing cities. with ;
more compact society whose vel
fare is conditioned upon the OBJ
$crrancc of the law. there has vc
been the thug. the bandit. the ring,
OF wee and crime that Il public sen
ilncnt that is too lax permits TO en-
isl. We repeat tiiat it will be pretty
hard to teach he present generation
and nearly everyone violates IN,
law in some rcSpcct-to observe In,
law. But the school children can b,
taught and should be impressed will
The necessity Of complying with tn,
laws OF the land, or government
VIII cease to function. The new
order must come. II it does no
civilization cannot last. There ar,
incidents daily in our own com
lntntN which show the disregard O
me law and not voice is raised tt
enforce it Charleston gazette.
The editorial above states q tru;l
that can not be ignored. TO do SC
means chaos. We have laws on tn,
statute books Of West yirpini;
which have been broken and never
enforced. This is true today. On,
example is our election laws. Their,
are politicians Of all parties who
from reports, seem to vie with racl
other in breaking the election laws
There is Il tendency on the part O
good citizens Of the country not tt
take part in law enforcement. The,
90 net want to take an open hant
Tor some reason or other. This j.
u wrong theory. This is u Countr,
q liberty and constitutional rights
tat that liberty and those right
Nrr 90 they extend to the point tt
or doing harm TO another. Nav
Nor &c they cXtCd to ihc point tC