The fact was impressed upon me that laws of themselves were futile unless the people for whom they were made respected them, and obeyed them in spirit more even than in the letter.

I came to America to feel, on every hand, that exactly the opposite was true.

Laws were passed, but were not enforced; the spirit to enforce them was lacking in the people.

There was little respect for the law; there was scarcely any for those appointed to enforce it.
The nearest that a boy gets to the law is through the policeman.

In the Netherlands a boy is taught that a policeman is for the protection of life and property; that he is the natural friend of every boy and man who behaves himself.