The native American., 1838-10-20
II II E S A V A G E.
THE WALK.

ETu1E. JuSuCe DUH Inaue 50 IluCH Holsc tlidl
the friend was ashamed to be seen in his compa-
ny. And he began to reflect that it was uabe-
coming in Friend Smoothly to be seen disputing
in tavern. AS to this gentleman personally,
there is cause for his irritation, which he will
not acknowledge: a deeply rooted prejudice in
favor of things that have been; and warmer at
tachmen, to the land of his fathers than is conss-
tent with the allegiance he owes to the country
which affords him protection.
Piomingo. Are you democrat!
Frank. Pray to him ''that giveh understand
ing to the simple" Piomingo, lest you be ''de-
sroyed for lack Of knowledge" You resemble
the enlightened citizens of this civilized country,
who are swayed by watch'corls and names
without taking the trouble to inquire into the ma
ture of things. 1t has at last become impossible
to discourse on common occurrences or to make
those observations which are naturally occasloned
by circumstances, without causing some wlseacre
to demand: are you democrat! are you fede-
ralist! And then if you cannot or will not say
.SAibboleth, death is too good for the Ephramte.
Piomingo. | beg your pardon, Frank: had
forgotten you were a plutocrat. have few
more questions to ask concerning the Friends.
The best and wisest philosophers of antiquity
were remarkable for the plainness and simplicity
of their diet: is it so with the Quakers?
Frank think not no people in existence love
more to eat of the fat and drink of the sweet
than the children Of Penn. They are truly
learned in the science Of eating; and make up by
the sumptuousness of their leasts for the absence
of other amusements. Should Apicius be told Of
the luxury of Quaker entertainment, ne would
repine not without cause, at the maignity OF his
fate.
Piomingo. What is the reason that fewer
schisms happen among the people of this society
than among those of other denominations :!
Frank That question cannot be answered
without bestowing at the same time the highest
praise Oh the wisdom ofthe society. Their bond
of union consists only in the practice OF the moral
duties and certain external observances, which
are calculated to distinguish them from the world
They are not fettered down, like'other denomina-
tions, by iron doctrines and an adamantine creed,
which they are commanded to believe under peril
of damnation. They puzzle not their heads about
the DEGREES of God, the freedom of the human
will, justification by faith, and other knotly points
in divinity, which engage and distract the evan
gelica disciples Of Luther and Calvin. If man
preach good moral discourse, Quaker audience
are satisfied; whereas Presbyterian congregation
must know that his principl are sound, and that
there is nothing rotten in fundamentals, before
they will consent to be edited by his labors.
Piomingo. What do you think Of the princi-
pies Of the Friends, in relation to war!
Frank. However agreeable their opinions, on
this point, may be to the doctrines of primitive
christianity they will not suit the present sltua
ton of the world. Could our harmless sheep
Craze in safety surrounded by tigers and wolves!
Could the little flock rise up and lie down IN
peace, while the boodhounds Of war are ranging
the fields of creation? There never was, nor new
er will be, a nation Of Quakers: they owe their
tha ct
They will not fight themselves; but they have no
objection that the arm of flesh should be raised in
their defence. Yet there is no doubt they are
aware of their own inconsistency in this partIcu-
lar; as no people are ready to resent person.
al insults or to defend their possessions from ag-
gressions Of injustice, or their houses from the
intrusion of robbers. fit be right to repel per-
sonal or family injury, it may certainly be prov
ed, by parity of reasoning, that it is equally
right to oppose those injuries which are offered to
the community in general, and to defend the great
national family from insult and oppression. Ii
we be justfable in boiling our doors to prevent
the intrusion of thieves, we are likewise Justable
in erecting forts for the protection OF our harbors
If we be iustifable in throwing robber head
long from window, who would rob our house
and murder our family, we are equally Justlfable
in assisting to repel an invasion of our country.
Piomingo The Friends would probably say,
that we may resist if we do not endanger the lives
Of our opponents.
Frank. Is not the life of the robber endanger-
ed, who is thrown from the window? May not
his skull be fractured by the fall! No such line
of distinction can be drawn. We are not ac-
countable for the consequences of ajustihable re-
sistance: that lies at the door of the aggressor.
The thing is too plain for argument Nature has
implanted in man principle ofresentment, which
directs him to oppose force to force and retort the
injuries that may be inflicted upon hm and this
principle is necessary for sef-preservation. If
It be morally right to lift my hand and brush away
Ay that has settled my nose, it is morally
right to defend myself, my friend and my coun-
try.
Piomingo. have understood that they are not
disposed to contribute any thing towards the
support Of an army. 49,,
Frank. They pretend to say that 1t would De
equally as criminal to enable others to night as 70
fight themselves; therefore many OF them VIII
rather allow their property to be seized and sold
for half its value than pay those taxes which are
laid for the support Of military arrangements. But
it is not to be supposed that these evils, incurred
.l lot