American Lancaster Gazette

Deserved obedience

It is very apt to be overlooked in the excitement of controversy in relation to the justness or injustice of certain restrictive laws that There is a wide distinction between discussing the equity and rectitude of a given law and giving due obedience to it. A law constitutionally enacted must first of all be obeyed. Right or wrong good or bad, if it be the act of a majority of the people's constitutional representatives it admits no hesitation or controversy on the question of obedience to its requirements. No principle of social policy is better established than this. Everything would be at loose ends, if the people were permitted to controvert the laws, and choose for themselves whether they will obey them or not The very levity of the administration now complained of, the very fact that at the present time so many of our existing laws are treated with contempt, and broken with indifference, is attributable to this tendency, already too prevalent, towards an anarchical liberty of choice in regard to the laws that we will obey or disobey, as we chance to choose.

Every law is of course a fair topic of discussion; but so long as it continues the law of constitutional authority. it must be enforced. Even while we protest and argue, and complain and condemn, and prove it to be unjust and oppressive, we must still consent to be governed by its restrictions until it shall be constitutionally repealed. That it does not suit us, or that it interferes with our individual rights, or that it operates unequally, may be good reasons why the law should never have been enacted, and why we should take the proper steps for bringing about its repeal but these are no reasons why we should refuse to obey it, so long as it retains the constitutional sanction. We say this principle is only apt to be overlooked in the popular discussions that so frequently arise touching the operation of certain objectionable laws This appears to be the case indeed, just now, in relation to the laws regulating the observance of the Sabbath.

It is not an uncommon thing to hear these laws denounced, and very frequently with much good sense and justness of opposition. But the question of submission to the requirements of these laws, however unwise or repulsive they may be is no part of the discussion. The only question practically speaking, for shop keepers, hack and omnibus drivers, and what not, is whether a law prohibiting them from pursuing their regular avocations off the Sabbath day really exists.— If it does as good citizens they should at once yield to the constitutional authorities of the State, and submit to the requisitions of the law.

They may petition for relief, and most move the community to effect a repeal.— They may discuss the principles involved in the obnoxious prohibitions, and show their oppressive and inconsistent character, with what force of principle and argument they may be able to produce. But at the same time they should cheerfully, acquiesce in the existing restrictions, and sacrifice their individual interests for the greater good of maintaining the Constitutional authority in this respect.

This principle of ready and exact obedience to the laws, is too generally ignored and disregarded in every community.— Boys and vagrants in the public streets are daily committing acts prohibited by the ordinances, and with hardening and encouraging impunity. Stop any one of these vagabonds in the midst of an unlawful act, and tell him the law forbids him committing the mischief or offense he is engaged in, and with his thumb upon his nose, he will laugh in your face, and claim exemption from responsibility to any such imaginary law.

He knows too well that in this and many other particulars the law, however well it may read in the law library, is without effect in actual life. He sees others disregarding the laws, and finds that in his own numerous infractions he passes on unmolested, and soon comes to look upon the whole statute book as a farce, from the pretended severity of penalties of which it is every easy thing to escape.

And he even has the example of older and more respectable citizens, who in matters, relating to their own personal business and convenience, do not hesitate to disregard such restrictions and ordinances as interfere therewith,

And thus one after another, by old and young. by well behaved citizen and disorderly vagabond. publicly and privately. the laws are disobeyed, and looked upon as meaningless and dead words, altogether powerless to enforce their own sanctions.— Children disobey the laws and commands of their parents, and take at the domestic fireside their first lesson in that sad experience of disobedience, which ultimately leads to open defiance of the ordinances and laws of the land.
What is wanted is a thorough and intimate personal cultivation, in old and young of the divine principle of obedience—children to parents, parents to the laws—all law human and divine— Crime stalks at noon day through our civilized land, because the example of so large a portion of community, is in open encouragement and palliation of disobedience to the laws as they stand. If a minor law may be broken at will, why not a greater? Or should there really be any degree in the might and imperative ness of the constitutionally enacted laws?—[Cin. Times