The Law: The Vital Need

Eighty thousand Soviet jackboots slapped against Red Square as Moscow celebrated May Day last week. Thousands of miles away, the U.S. was commemorating a different kind of day—Law Day—in 100,000 peaceful ceremonies. On Chicago's lakefront, 959 aliens held their right arms high to pledge allegiance to a system of justice under the law, and were sworn in as new citizens. From Portland. Ore., to Hillsboro, Texas, high school students acted as jurors in mock trials. Atlanta ministers delivered sermons. Seattle TV stations presented programs, San Diego lawyers met with foreign-exchange students—all to explain the meaning of law and the...