Why Should I Be Law-Observing?

Why Should I Be Law-Observing? Prize Oration Delivered at the B. Y. University By Delbert V. Groberg THE thought that I should be law-observing is inherent in the subject question. It can well be assumed. It is conceded on the grounds that as a citizen of the United States of America I enjoy the rich benefits and protection of its laws and am directly subject to them. It is a duty that I owe to myself to uphold the laws which give me security and protection. While of course there are penalties imposed for violation, there is first a personal responsi- bility and honor which prompt and encourage obedience. This is effective before fear of punishment directs aright. There is no escape from honor. It is an ever present reason for living loyal to the trusts of citizenship, and good citizenship contemplates and em- bodies the law-abiding life. There have been times in the history of nations when unjust laws were enacted and proclaimed by imperial edict, then prosecuted by officers not responsible to the people. But those who were instru- mental in establishing this union of states in America were actuated by the spirit of justice to enact such laws as would best promote the general welfare of all citizens. The great, inspired Constitution was formulated and adopted as an added means to secure the bless- ings of liberty and the national virtue of domestic tranquility for all who should live under its influence. The laws which have since been made have been made for the same general purpose for which the nation itself was established. The spirit with which our statesmen have faced their responsi- bility of formulating reason and justice into law is impressively expressed by a former member of Congress, Bourke Cockran. He explains, * * * "The duty of Congress, it seems, is to ex- amine closely the conditions of the country and keep itself constantly informed of everything affecting the common welfare. Whenever a wrong is found to exist with which the nation can deal more ef- fectively than a state it is the business of Congress to suggest a remedy. * * * The first step is legislation," — providing law. The state in its sphere guards the general welfare in the same spirit with its law-making power, and provision. Our system of laws has grown as national and local needs have required. I do not wish to evade these laws for they were made for me and for my good, as well as for the general good of all my friends and fellow-citizens. It is clearly my duty to myself to be in harmony with them.

WHY SHOULD I BE LAW-OBSERVING? 211 This nation has grown in population and power as well as in laws, until now it is a leader among all nations. With pride I realize our influence among the great powers of the entire world. I thrill to know the profound importance of this government in relation to international affairs. Our contributions in direction of world peace have recently attracted the attention of great men and great nations all over the earth. Our general contributions toward progress have challenged international respect, and have demanded prestige for American people in the minds of the progressive world. Also to have the honest conviction that, as President Coolidge said in his Armistice Day address, "No citizen of the United States needs apologize to anybody, anywhere, for not having done our duty in defense of the cause of world liberty," — increases the value of citizen- ship and must thrill every citizen. The world is now marveling at the obvious manifestation of popular participation of the mem- bers of this great democracy in its affairs. The recent election showed that the will of the people, which is the source of govern- mental authority in the United States, was expressed by more men and women than ever before in any single election in the history of nations that have engaged in the election of officers and in deter- mining the policies of administration. I need but think of these things to feel thankful for my membership among this great people under the Stars and Stripes in the land of the free and the brave. Idle and passive thankfulness can in no way represent my reaction to the numerous advantages I enjoy as a free citizen of this free land. Instead, active appreciation vividly expressed by a whole- hearted support to ;the principles that have made us great is my natural if not my expedient response. I can not receive and enjoy the blessings derived from citizenship and at the same time be engaged in impeding the effective operation of the forces of law that have made and are now making the blessings possible. It is no less than a duty which I owe to my country for me to cooperate with its principles. This throws me into direct contact with the laws that govern. My normal conclusion is that I must observe them. Just as the democracy is dependent upon its members for its power and achievements, so the proper functioning of these laws is dependent upon the people, you and me. If it is a great privilege to live in the United States now, it is an honor to those noble men and noble women who have moulded and upheld its standards, its traditions, its laws. If it continues to be a great privilege to live here then there will be honor for us upon whom the responsibility now rests. In my action toward the provisions of liberty which character-

212 IMPROVEMENT ERA ize America and endear it as a home to its citizens, it is my duty to be constructive. My country is as a consecrated trust to me. It is handed to me with the stamp of the life work and life blood of those who have made it, clearly imprinted upon it. I must live in it and pass it on to others. Were I to contribute to internal friction by law violation I should be accountable for damaging my trust; where- as, by observing its statutes I can strengthen my trust and pass it on with service rendered. This latter alternative appeals to me, it seems the better and is reason why I should be law-observing. That laws are necessary admits of no doubt. One of the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph, in contemplation of the immensity of space depths, explains: "There is no space in the which there is no kingdom and no kingdom in the which there is no law." Could we dare imagine the universe with no laws of control? Think of planets and planetary systems; the myriads of stars that bespangle the firmament released from the domain of law. The immediate "wreck of matter" and "crash of worlds" would reduce the present organized universe into confusion and chaos. Nor are the laws of our land less important to our national security. The effective operation of law constitutes our governing power and control and is essential to our national continuity. Nor am I over- emphasizing the importance of obeying law when I say it is a funda- mental pledge in my religious faith "to honor, obey, and sustain the law." By observing law I discharge an important duty to myself and to my country. (I also uphold a salutary pledge. Law observance is the one important practice I can teach which will contribute to the greatness and continuity of the greatest nation on earth, and this, I am convinced, is most effectively taught by example. "It is, indeed, right that we should look for, and hasten, so far as in us lies, the coming of the day of God; but not that we should check any human effort by anticipations of its approach. We shall hasten it best by endeavoring to work out the tasks that are appointed for us here; and, therefore, reasoning as if the world were to continue under its existing dispensation, and the powers which have just been granted to us were to be continued through myraids of future ages." — Ruskin. "The greatest man is he who chooses the right with invincible resolution, who resists the sorest temptations from within and without, who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully, who is calmest in storms and most fearless under menace and frowns, whose reliance on truth, on virtue, on God, is most un- faltering; and is this a greatness which is apt to make a show, or which is mo:t likely to abound in conspicuous station?" — William Ellery Charming. "There was never yet a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous." — Benjamin Franklin.