Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-19

ment In the thing the country seeks.
This seems to have been measure
ably attained in Maine in recent
years.
During the six months of the pres
emit calendar year the Attorney Cen
eral reports that there has not been
a single homicide in the State of
Maine. This is gratifying indica-
ton of the wholesome conditions
that have prevailed throughout our
State.
Individual respect for law and
voluntary obedience on the part of
the great masses of our citizenship
is the cement which can alone hold
our civilization fast. Nothing will
more surely undermine this founda-
ton than unequal enforcement of
our statutes and the penalties our
laws provide. Civilization fails when
any individual can rise above the
law. Even handed justice for high
and low, for friend and foe is the
obligation of the public official and
the only safeguard of the State.
Mrs. AIthea G. Quimby
In speaking on citizenship and
Law Enforcement" Mrs. Quimby re-
ferred to the statue in Marlborough,
of Lincoln. the great Emancipator,
who had two visions-America freed
from human slavery and America
freed from drink slavery.
"Other great patriots like Lincoln
caught the torch from Lincoln's
stricken hand and completed his vi
sion. By prayer and education our
nation adopted the Eighteenth
Amendment and became freed from
drink slavery.
II am speaking tonight as a moth
err, as a home maker, as a citizen
of the sovereign State of Maine, as
a citizen of a republic which recog-
nizes liberty in law
In speaking on Citizenship and
Law Enforcement I shall refer es-
pecially to the Eighteenth Amend
ment because just now it is most in
the limelight, just now it is in its
most difficult period of enforcement.
By means of it the patriotism and
standards of citizenship of the peo-
pie and officials of the nation are be-
ing tested.
Let US not for moment feel
that the Eighteenth Amendment is
the only law that is being broken,
or the only law that should be en-
forced. Far from it.
Maine is living up to her tradi-
tons in that of the three candidates
for the highest honor 1t is the privi-
lege of the State to confer, all three
are teetotally agreed regarding the
strict enforcement of the Prohibitory
law, however much they may dis
agree on other points. And this is
patr1otlsm-pure and simple. No
other standard should or would be
recognized by the people of Maine.
1--WE elect all of our executive Of
hcers from our chief executive to
the lowest to see to it that this law,
as wen as all laws, are put into exc
cution. Be 1t to their liking or not,
II Is their duty to see that this is
oone. They are sworn to do this
and 1t is their duty and their re-
sponsibility.
Let us nominate and elect mon
OF such high mental and moral char
acter, men of such high ideals. that
come what will, they will fearIessly
perform this high duty. 1t is some
tlmes easier to step aside or to Law
low Jay
enforcement rests not only with
omcers high and low, but eoueJIv
with the courts, the Judiciary. fha
oistrlct attorney and the juries. TT
Is gratifying to note that more ar
tentlon, more discrimination ia he.
ing given in the drawing of iurymen.
II more attention is given to the se-
lection Of candidates in the nrina.
RES and to jurymen, there will he
less law violation, less cost in law
enforcement. Going over the State
ma comparatively little law break
ing IN counties where all officers are
IN nearly sympathy with all the la WIS
ana out to do their full duty.
some people seem to think the
Volstead Act and the Eighteenth
amendment joke. They are laugh
ing at the stars and stripes. Presi-
uent Coondge has truly said: 1T is
tne outy OF a citizen not only to OBJ
serve the law, but to let it be known
tnat ne Is opposed to its violation
THE man who violates the law is
neither a Republican or a Democrat
he is a criminal.
I'm 1918, people were thrown into
prison, and some Of them are still
there, for speaking against and con-
nlvlng against the Constitution Of the
United States. Is it less a crime to-
day! Should not our flag be upheld
In times of peace as well as in times
~ wei 10 PCdSc less
binding than patriotism in times of
war! Congressman or any men or
any women who acknowledge they
are breakers of the law and flaunt
1t In the press and before congress
slonal committees are not patriots.
"As mothers, let us teach our chill
dren reverence for law, obedience
to law. 1t is just as patriotic when
we grid them with law observance
as when we grid them with the khaki
or the blue. Indeed, it is truer pa
triotism. A nation Of law abiding pa
triots Is much more enduring than
a nation of soldiers.
ITO illustrate: In 1918. one of |
my two sons stepped out of his Alma i.
Mater into the training camp. do
not count he did a more patriotic
act, an act for better citizenship.
than Is shown by two little red and |
blue cards which / cherish. These
cards have for years hung over two
little white beds. They are signed in
cramped, irregular boyish hand. |
They say, God helping me- ETC..
1T is the pledge of the Loyal !
temperance Legion. Each year as
these two lads come home they have
looked at the cards and said: so |
you keep the cards. mother And
then more reverently, thank God, |
they say: We have kept the pledge,
mother
Loyal, peace-tims patriotism, ] |
call it,
Let us by precept and example |
so grid our children with reverence |
for law that they will bravely meet |
the enemies of good citizenship. May |
they, and may we all, walk with |
faces to the front. remembering |