Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-15

classes, namely: (f:sU those who
say, 1T shall not lie erforC Cd" tsec-
ond) Those who say IT can not lie
enforced" (third) These who say 1t
shall be enforced" 10 the ilrst class
belong the Brewers, Rum Runners.
Boot Leggcrs and IN fat all who
receive part of the income from
the sale OF the contraband. To the
second class belong those who ar;
continually saying on the streets. i'll
the stores, in the factories and in
the club. 1T can't be DONE" TO
the third class belongs the little band
of citizens who say, 1t shall be EN-
forced" and they proceed, the best
they can, in the face of the opposi-
ton of the first and second classes
to enforce not only the prohibitory
law, but all laws, particularly those
which have to do with the moral
uplift of the community. 1t is not
a very pleasant task, these little
bands have undertaken; criticism
and in many instances insults are
! thrown at them. If it were not for
the courage these little groups of
citizens show where would the NOR
ais of the community be? What we
really need is an awakening of the
citizens of the community to their
duty. If they know of crime being
carried on they should make COM
plant to the officers and demand
that the violatoEs be apprehended.
We need to Crystalline the public
sentiment for the enforcement of all
laws. Then. too, we need officers
who are looking for trouble instead
.Nf rx,1o l. l..:,,
the discharge of their duties.
You will all agree with me that
trict obedience to law is the foun-
'iation of all good government, with
ont it no nation can hope to survive.
one of the most serious questions
before the American people today is
the question of obedience to law.
Danger signals have been raised all
over our country. America is fast
becoming a nation Of law breakers
The tendency is most pronounced,
perhaps in our populous East, but
there is no state in which respon-
siblc officers of the law are not wor-
rjed about the fragrant disregard to
some laws and the consequent diff
Guilty in enforcing these laws. The
breaking of a Jaw never stands alone
rs an act that is finished. The trans
gressor may never offend that par
ticuiar law again or in respect to any
other law. but he has paved the way
for some one else. Why does crime
go in a wave? On the same principle
that a spark runs along the trail of
powder. There are always Suscep-
tible minds on which O. lawless act
strikes with the force of an explo-
sion and other conditions being ia
vorable crime will result. It must
be acknowledged that at the present
time conditions are not only favor
able but melting to the attractions
of all laws, particularly in the moral
code. Our system of enforcement is
not yet perfect, but there must be
no let down in the fight to maintain
orderly government. if the govern
ment is to survive. 1t will fail if
law enforcement fails. This is not
the first republic that has faced the
menace of lawlessness. Every gov
eminent fails whose citizens adopt
the false theory that personal liber-
ty is greater than the welfare of So
ciety. The Republic of Rome failed
after five hundred years, Carthage
after seven hundred. Athens after
nine hundred, Venice after eleven
hundred. all because of a lack Of
respect for law.
To permit every man to decide for
himself whether a law is just or I'M
just, and not be bound by it If he
believes it unjust, spells anarchy and
ruin. There must be implanted in
the heart of every man and woman
the determination that laws must be
obeyed, that the man who excuses or
makes light of the violation by
others. is himself guilty. Senator
Lenroot says. "A deliberate vio!ator
Of the law is an enemy to the Re.