In Maine we had both a court and a town meeting to keep us out of war.
The court dealt with our legal disputes and the town meeting with the
rest. Both were supported by public opinion. The strength of this
opinion made the work of our one policeman light. The system worked.
In California in ’49, men relied on pistols for justice and security.
It did not work. Thugs could shoot as straight as honest men. So in
California they shifted from the war system to the law system and were
able before long to forbid the carrying of pistols. Obviously, this
change of method was wrought without changing human nature.
The progress of civilization has been characterized by just such an
extension of the reign of law. One step remains to be taken. Since it
works everywhere else, we should enthrone law between nations. As I
see it, the essential institutions necessary are those with which New
Englanders are familiar――a court for the world’s legal disputes and a
town meeting for the rest.