The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-10-17
Law Obedience Is Foun-
datiOn of Democracy

CONTINUED from page one)
the disposition of big interests to
evade public duty have become
well known, and recent inyestiga-
tions in New York and Chicago
show it still prevails in different
forms; buying legislatures, con
Il olling judges, bribing jurors,
working through "the boss" in the
obtaining of franchises. More
recent illustrations are the recent
alliances between. corrupt business
and purchaseable labor leaders.
The most fragrant and wide
spread form of lawlessness of re-
cent years has had to do with the
enforcement of the 18th Amend
ment concerning prohibition This
is instanced by the Harvard pro-
fessor who insisted that he had q
right to maintain a still on his own
property. 1t is stated on good au-
thority that in some city clubs the
chief conversation is concerning
"How to get the stuff, and dodge
the law. There are instances &c
be observed right around Us.
People who consider themselves
leading citizens" may have pIi-
vate dealings with law violators,
and feel no shame; rather boast in
it.
Here is the statement Of the
judicial section of the national
bar association: reverence for
law and enforcement of law de-
ponds mainly upon the ideals and
customs of those who occupy the
vantage ground of life in business
and society. The people of the !
United States by solemn conStitu-
tional and statutory enactment, |
have undertaken to suppress the /
evil of the liquor traffic
When, for the qualification of !
their appetites, or the promotion !
OF their interests, lawyers, bank !
ers. great merchants and manufac
turers and social leaders, both men
and women, disobey and scott at
this law, or any other law, they
are aiding the cause of anarchy
and promoting fob violence, rob
berry and homicide; and they are
sowing dragons teeth and they
need not be surprised when they
find that no judicial or police au
thority can save our country or
humanity from reaping the har>
vest
Now, these are not the words Of
an emotional or theoretical
preacher;' they are the sober con
clusion of the best legal minds of
the country, from a position where
they have the best facilities 10
Judge of tendencies.
"Aiding the cause of anarchy
and promoting mob violence
these are the dragons teeth, "and
all violation Of law is an influence
in the same direction. Some re-
tarding forces in the present law
are included in the
attitude of some otherwise law
abiding persons; open defiance;
at ITS violation; ridiculc
cartoons and stage jokes; failure
to back up rigorous enforcement:
no condemnation Of those who de
fly the law, being "partiseps
by buying Struggled
liquor, etc.
But, one may say: This is Il
different kind Of law from that
against murder How? at is
legislation, and | am
against it. That might be an
argument if the public had no in
terest in what a man eats or drinks
OF had not to bear the burden.
But what a monster curse the liz
uor traffic has been it is not nee
essary to argue before any intelli-
gent audience. The state has a
right to interfere when such re-
suits follow
But: 81 favor the 18th Amend
ment, but am against the Nolstead
Act" This sort of an argument
means: 81 favor law on the stat
ute books, but do pot want it en-
forced "This is an evasive and
argument The 18th |
is clear and positive.
II reads: "After one year from the
of this article the !
sale or transporter
ton of Intoxicating liquor within,
the importation thereof into, or
the expectation thereof from, the
United States, and all territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof
for beverage purposes is hereby
prohibited. The Congress and the
several states shall have concur
rent power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
The Nolstead Act is the action
Of Congress in accordance with the