Parental Government and Regulation by Law
The foolish idea of parental government, and the regulation of all things by law, is well illustrated by a late reported action of the town rulers of Meridian, Miss., who have passed a curfew law applying to all, old and young. It requires the police to arrest any person found on the streets after 8 o’clock at night. It would seem at least that the citizens of mature age ought to have the wisdom to tell them when to go in; but evidently the city “fathers” thought it better that all should submit to their combined wisdom. “But,” you say, “this is an extreme case.” Yes, it is; but paternalism is always finding just that sort of thing.