Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-12-19

ion of aliens TO office. And had always
supposed that the acceptance of any Office
under government implied,~if it did not
require, the acknowledgement Of
allegiance on the part of the officer
But again: "Neither can we elect Others
TO act as oul substitutes" in any such Off
ces. But so far, little trouble would be like
ly to result from the carrying into effect the
declaration under consideration. Other ac-
tons however must feel the torpedo touch
of this declaration. Those who ADOPT it
cannot pay tdres to any human gorern-
meat They do not say this. Perhaps few
OF them have thought of this application of
their sentiments. But it must lead to this. !
The Declaration " indeed says, awe
shall submit 10 every ordinance of man for
the Lords sake" This might seem, at first.
to imply design to comply with such re-
QUESTIONS Of the government as the payment
fakes But consistency forbids them to
do 1t, and sa1vo is thrown in Immediately
after, probably with reference tothis among
| other particulars; which will justify re-
iusal to obey any and every requisition of
the government which any individual may
happen TO deem contrary to the commands
OF the gospel" An individual has only to
deem," that the payment of debts is &c con-
trary to the commands Of the gospel -
Forgive it we have aught against any p
and forthwith he is exonerated from all o.
legation to pay his debts, and may under
the shelter Of the above named exception,
refuse to obey the requisition of the govern
eminent which says to him, eff you have
the meansyou must pay your debts" (2) But
let as return TO the salvo, ave shall obey
all the requirements of government, ercept
such as zoe deem, contrary to the commands
OF the gospel" But what requirements of
governRlent will not be deemed contrary to
the commands of the gospel? All human
governments enforce their requisitious bv
penalties. This in the opinion of the sign
ers OF the Declaration is unehristian; and
governments thus sustained " cannot be
agreeable to the will of God" They can
not hold office, therefore, under such gov
ernments, nor aid in electing Others
This would be to countenance the wrong.
But can they join with others in paying the
salaries of officers whom they could not con-
sclentiously aid in electiug because the Of
flee itself is unchrist ian? Would not this be
TO aid and abet the wrong, as much as to Sc
lect the officer, or even hold the Office a.
Could the signers of that Declaration con-
tribute to pay the expenses of Juggernaul's
temple? And yet they deem our criminal
courts alike unchristian and murderous as
the worship and sacrifices Of Juggernaut-
Can they pay the salaries Of the. priests
who minister at these unchrlstian, murder
our rites, called trials? There is no escap-
ing this conclusion. Indeed this principle
has been settled in the "Telegraph for
Oct. Sd. "Suppose the next Legislature of
Vermont enact law compelling all reii-
glous denominations to pay tithes to the
Episcopal church. How many readers Of
the Telegraph are there who would acoui-
esce? Not many l trust.n No violence is
inculcated in the one case, or threatened in
the other; but rather a patient SUFFERING of
the wrong. But what would be to suffer the
'oTong? Evidently not by paying the tax !;
for that would be, according to the doctrines
of the Declaration, participating in the
wrong. To make this point plain. Our
northern frontier is invaded. The Govern
ment issues an order to draft every twenti-
eth able bodied citizen to 90 and defend tho
frontier. A signer Of the Declaration, If
f drafted, could neither go himself nor hire a
substitute, because he "deems the require
ment contrary to the commands of the COS
pei" He will rather suffer imprisonment,
or whatever may be imposed. BY and by
another order is issued levying a tax to sup
port the army. Can he pay the tax? 1.-The
does he as efectually aids in carving on
The war as if he manufactured arms or hired
substitute 10 fill his place. The only way
In which he can suffer the wrong. consist
!, emily with his principles, is, to refuse to
pay the tax, and demonstrate against it, and
then II his property is seized abstain from
h any resistance.
i And this course must be pursued in rela
4 ton to all civil taxes by those who adopt
Q that Declaration. And hazard prophe.
f cy. Before The close Of 1889, some mem,
!. oers Of the Nep England Non Resistance
4 Society will refuse to pay tares to ana
: human government" Consistency will