The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1922-12-21
PROGRESS DEPENDS ON
RESPECT FOR LAW

PROGRESS DEPENDS ON
RESPECT FOR Law
From an address by Secretary Of
State, Charles E. Hughes before
the Brazilian Bar Association at
Rio de Janiero, as reported in the
Journal de Commerce. Of Rio de
Janiero.
1t would be easy to speak Of the
similarity of the political institu-
tons of Brazil to those of the Uni
ted States of North America. I
should be glad to review the re-
semblances in our constitutional
arrangements and especially, in
the provisions by which we seek to
safeguard and promote the essen
tial interests of the nation with
out an unnecessary sacrifice Of
local autonomy. You are very
familiar with the work of our Su-
preme Court by which we main
tain the checks and balances Of
our constitutional system. re-
call that with his enlightened in
terest and prescience the Emperor
Dom Perdro II instructed the
Brazilian Minister to the United
States to STUDY with special care
the organization of the Supreme
Court Of Justice in Washington"
He added with true insight: 81 be-
lieve that in the function OF the
Supreme Court is the secret of the
successful operation of the Ameri-
can Constitution"
But in these brief remarks, as /
am about to leave this most his
pitable capital, desire to refer
to what is even more fundamental
than any constitutional precept.
The more l study government, or
concern myself with problems Of
Legislation and administration, the
more thoroughly / am convinced
that the essential condition Of all
progress is respect for law.
Liberty must have its institu-
tions and these of necessity are
institutions Of law, that is, insti-
buttons for the application Of ac-
copied principles of right conduct
rather than vehicles for the exer-
else of arbitrary power. Such insti-
buttons rest for their final security
in the self-restraint Of those who
love liberty too much to- destroy
its essential foundations.
We live in world which has
been torn distracted, and convulsed
and we are turning with the hope
that will admit of no denial to the
ideals of justice. But where among
men is justice to be illustrated If
not in our courts and by the mini
sters of the law? Justice is not
an abstraction; it is the most prac-
teal concern Of a free people In
our courts if anywhere, must be
found an abiding assurance that
neither force nor intrigue, neither
corruption nor favor, can disturb
the true scale of justice where the
sound and impartial Judgment
gives the decision.
1t is in the administration Of
justice through our courts, and In
the standards Of the legal profess
sion, that we find unfailingly the
measure Of our civic success.
Our expanding civilization Is
constantly heavier burdens upon
our tribunals and upon those who
are called upon to aid in the pro-
lection Of rights and the redress
ing Of wrongs. We desire bene-
ficent laws; but the statute is ex-
pressed in its Interpretation and
its practical value rests upon its
fair administration. There is no
assurance of either save as the
judicial function is faithfully per-
formed, and it is able to look Tor
fidelity in the administration Of
justice unless the members Of the
bars are inspired by the loftiest
sentiments.
/ have great respect for the ap-
propriate technique which is essen
tial to correct administration but
/ have no sympathy with those
who lose the spirit Of the law in
the worship of its garments. 1t is
to those wha are most learned in
the law that we must look for re-
form in its administration. It is
from those who best understand
all the subtleties Of the law that