Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 17.pdf/433

 THE GREEN BAG the law would reign over all. Such a condi tion would be the highest form of civiliza tion. Civilization rests upon law, and law upon the citizen. No more important lesson can be brought home than of individual responsibility for the affairs of state and nation. The indifference of electors is the weakness of a republican form of govern ment. To arouse them to action is a ques tion of supreme importance. Those who would destroy the laws are always active and work while good citizens sleep, but once the latter are aroused, they are in vincible. If the people want a reign of law they can get it, but they must fight for it. There is the same conflict between law and lawlessness as between the true and the false, the right and the wrong, the evil and the good. The people will uphold the laws when they understand the necessity of it, for the vast majority of the people will do right when they know right. There never was a time when unselfish teachers of the public were needed more than now. Law yers more than any other class should be

the teachers of the poeple. They can *do much if they are true to their calling to remedy the things that dishonor. As they are ministers of the law, it is their duty to keep the fountains of law pure and undefiled. The person who in private life dis charges the civic responsibilities resting upon him, may perform as great a public service as he who faithfully does his duty in public office. Indeed, the public official is a reflec tion of the private citizen, as the public life of a nation is a reflection of its private life. You as lawyers are in a position to wield a powerful influence by tongue and pen for the reign of law, so devoutly hoped for and so earnestly prayed for by all good citizens. Remember that the highest obligation of your calling is to your country; your duty is to the public above all. You are the sworn upholders of the law, and as you love freedom and defend weakness, adore the right and hate the wrong, as you revere the law because it is the law, make your influ ence known and felt. JEFFERSON, MISSOURI, June, 1905.