Lincoln once said something about getting rid of bad laws by enforcing them strictly instead of repealing them. Well, this little 100 word story shows the deadly flaw in that position.
"The council of Spartansburg is mad, Mister President!" shouted Colonel West. "They have passed a law commanding that everyone in the town must die!"Abraham shrugged. "Who are we to doubt their angry widsom?"
"But, sir! The law must be repealed!"
"No," Lincoln said. "Enforce the law to its fullest."
Two days later, all were dead. Then came the torches.
Spartansburg vanished, scorched clean from the map.
Along with its law books.
Later, Lincoln surveyed the carnage. "Okay, you're right," he said. "I should have asked them to repeal the law instead of enforcing it strictly."
General Sherman took notes.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Look for Spartansburg on a map.