Evening star., 1928-05-31
WASHINGTON, c.

great conflict Is not likely to arise SO
much from design as from accident
II is realized that war can not be
profitable. The trend of civilization Is
undoubtedly toward peace.
The reason for this Is not far to seek
War means the application of force.
Peace means the application OF reason.
War is complete lawlessness. Peace Is
the rule Of law. The principal effort of
civilization. after all. is to bring the
world under obedience to law. The
great conflict which ragged upon this
hattlefield had for Its ultimate decision
the question Of whether the power OF
the sword or the power of the Constitu-
tion was to be supreme. Under repub-
lican institutions an industrious and
law w-abiding people will make a peaceful
nation, while a lawless and riotous
people will make a warlike nation. Like
many other of our problems, the solu-
ton runs back to the individual and
the home. If around the Nations fire.
side respect for authority, reverence for
holy things and obedience to parental
discipline are taught. the surest fo,lnda-
ton for peace will be laid Where
these home influences are lacking the
danger of conflict increases.
While the people Of the United States
as a whole are peaceful and law-abidinc
denied that we have had sporadic out
breaks of crime. especially those of
violence. which are exceedingly disturb
ing. Such a condition will indicate. II
continued. loosening Of the moral
fiber Of the Nation. It is very easy
to cast the blame upon the police au-
thorities, the prosecuting officers and
the courts. But II a criminal condition
continues to prevail, the blame goes be-
yond these officials. We live under a
system of popular government. Our
officers reflect to a very large degree
public opinion.
Urges Vigilance Against Crime.
II the people themselves show that
they are determined to have crime
stamped out, there will be no lack of
vigilance on the part of the police. no
lack of energetic action on the part Of
prosecuting attorneys, and no lack OF
adequate penalty on the part of the
courts. II the people are careless and
Indifferent. If they look with COM
placency on crime and assume a senti-
mental attitude toward criminals, little
reform can be hoped for. If. on the
other hand, the people remember that
good government only can be secured
by the exercise of eternal vigilance.
that it is necessary constantly to resist
evil tendencies, If they will take such
action as is necessary to give adequate
expression to their determination to
terminate lawleSsness and crime, 1t can
be done.
For the purpose of promoting reign
nf Ia ia the nrOriA fharo fo a
obligation resting upon all puDlic off,
cials. In our own country, and in most
others, the Government is one of lim-
tied powers. The purpose, as has been
so well expressed, is TO provide gov
ernment of law and not of men. The
great majority OF Offices are those Gre
ated by statute. Those who fill such
places should be alert TO ascertain the
powers with which they have been in
vested and scrupulous to observe the
law under which they have been ap-
pointed. But in addition 10 these lhere
Is considerable body. executive, legis-
lative and judicial In its functions.
which derive their authority directly
from constitutional sources. None of
these are all-powerful, but arc held
within strict limits. They have all
come into existence because the people
nave AELLBGa U4 JLI1lI GOtl2kAbuLlDfiS klidt
they should be clothed with certain lin
tied authority.
The chief temptations TO go beyond
the bounds which the people have set
arise in legislatures. In their desire to
take some action which they conceive
TO be iE the public interest they often
times manifest a disposition to exceed
their constitutional authority. Such ac-
ton Is a larceny Of power Response
bility for 1t cannot be evaded by the
weak plea 10 let the Law be passed and
the courts can decide its constitutional
ity. Legislators are required TO qualify
upon their solemn oath. That oath Is
not that they viii leave the courts to
defend and support the Constitution,
but that they themselves will defend
and support 1t. When additional au-
thorfty is required. they should apply
TO the people TO amend the Constitu-
tion and not attempt to evade it or
strain 1t BY subterfuge and misconcep-
ton.
Obedience TO Law Duty.
The same necessity for being law
abiding at home applies 10 our citizens