Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-16
r~ he Vermont Telegraph.
re race prinsiplss tested BY Inprison'
ment.


LEvRRErT srREEr Jan, No. %.
BRornER MuRRAY:--I have been much
gratifsd with the course you have pursued
in your paper on the subject Of PEAcE. You
have not been satisfied with halfway
standard Of action; still, ! think il is en-
eoursging to see christians coming gradual
ly 70 proper sense Of the enormi'ies Of
war and its inconsistency with Christianity.
I am the second time imprisoned, as you
see, for refusing, at the sound Of music, to
fall down and worship the image Of the
god Of war, set up by the Legislature Of
Massachusetts,. Il Is altogether vain for
the militia law to impose fine and imprison-
ment upon those Of Us who are honestly
and conscien.iously opposed to war and all
preparations Tor war. We shall neither pay
the one nor shrink from the other. Those
who take this view Of the subject Of war
are found among all denominations Of
Christians, and are rapidly increasing in
numbers and influence. You know how
vastly superior moral power is to physical.
In this moral contest for truth, il is easy for
"one 10 chase thousand, and two put ten
thousand TO fight" Co.,. .........
have been settled in my present views
and feelings 10 opposition to war, for the
last twelve or fifteen years; and they have
let me alone as to military training, till two
or three years ago, when by the "ReVised
Statutes" Of this State, the "screws" have
been put in requisition for new recruits
Many others have taken, and will take the
same course that am pursuing. Indeed,
can see no other alternative left us. We
may az well "lrain," as they call il, as TO
pay fine, and either course would be as
consistent rs for the conscientious temper
anee man to deal in the driak Of drunkards.
No consistent believer in The Gospel Of
PEAcE, can have anything TO DO with war,
or any Of the preparations for war. To
support government, put down mobs, and
rspsl the invading enemy, Christians may
dosmore by moral influence, than all "stand-
ing armies" or organized "citzen soldiers"
which this country has ever beheld.
inmy own case, have appealed to my
fsllow-ciiizens through several Of the news
papers, and also petitioned the Legislature;
but tLat body being so near the close Of its
Session, the petition was only read and
referred 10 ihe Committee for revising the
militia law, and will not be acted on until
another year; when il is hoped the Legis-
hture will be petitioned from all parts Of
the 6tals Memorials should be poured
into all our State Legislatures on this sub
feet. Not merely the friends Of peace would
sian such petitions, bat every liberal-mindcd
mar, who is willing his neighbor should
snJoy his rights and freedom of conscience
would also sign such petitions.
The annual trainings aud military re-
views in our country, exert lasting and
pernicious influence upon our children and
youth. How susceptible their young minds
are 70 the principles and maxims Of war,
when viewed through the medium Of the
pomp and pageautrY Of militia "musterp'
How early will very young boys exhibit the
marshsl spirit by display of the feathers
and wooden sword! Mothers, when they
smile as they witness such pranks in thei
children, lillle think that this is the germ o
that spirit which resulted in the murder o
Abel by bis brother Cain. The minds o
children shOuld be deeply imbued with The
spirit Of the Gospel Of Peace; and they
would soon be able 60 detect the anti-Chris
tan and murderous character Of all military
excitements and military enthusiasm.
spray for the peace Of jerusalem; thel
shall prosper that love thee" Yours ii
the cause Of universal peace and righteous
ness. DAVID CAMBLLL.
Boston, April 26, 1888. -r
The following remarks, from the Christ