Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-10-21
r E M A r K s !.

form whatever. G.
Rutland, Oct. |, 1910.
REMAR Ks.
ltmay be properto state here, for inlorma-
tion-inasmuch as most of the controversy
in the Telegraph, on the subject Of Non
Resistance, has been between Harvey Cur
lis and myself; and inasmuch as my present
correspondent on the same subject has the
same initial-that the foregoing communi-
cation is from another individual.
Itstrikes me that my brother is bordering
on inconsistency, when he says that it is
not his object to elicit discussion, but simply
10 make an enquiry and yet goes on TO oc-
cupy large part of the feldin controversy.
May be, however, he thinks, asI do, that my
views are already before the readers of the
Telegraph, on most of what he has advanced,
and need not be repeated-so that the dis
,cussion may be limited at the present time.
Be this as it may, on his part, shall confne
what now have to say, principally, to his
inquiry, with which he commences and
closes. -1
He wishes to know what power Non-Re-
sistants would have used, if not physical
power, in resisting violence, and sustaining
government. I'LL ~. -. =.
If my brother means in this question to
ask what Non, Resistants would have those
(who do not profess to be the followers Of
the Prince Of Peace do, in defence, and in
support Of governments based on brute
force, I answer that Non Resistants have no
prescription to make in that case. They
leave that, where their great Exemplar left
it, to be managed by those who will not be
satisfied with better government--a gov
eminent whose officers are peace, whose
exactors are righteousness, whose walls are
salvation, and whose gates are praise.
On the other hand, if the enquiry pertain
TO the duties of Observation-Disclosures of
Him who was perfect Non-Resistant in
his whole earthly course-I answer that
find no other power entrusted to them but
the foolishness ofpreaching. Their Lord
and Master taught them distinctly that his
( kingdom is not of this world, and that they
are to govern themselves accordingly, re-
framing from violence. >.=..".:.
! As for his argument drawn from the brut-
i ishness of men, ask whether brute force is
the thing to make men less brutal? Will
it renovate the heart-eradicate sln-lm-
plant holy produce love and good
will? How long is it since we had, IN the
Telegraph, the testimony of even the New
York Journal of Commerce against violence
towards the savage tribes of Seminoles, +
and in favor Of pedceable, christian meas
ures /? And if such are the dictations Of our
holy religion, which, presents the highest
rule of expedieney, towards the most savage
tribes, why are they not more forcible in
their application to those who are more cul-
tivated? T. ~
Thus much In answer to the question
over brother C.'s communication again,
6 am constrained to notice one or two other
: points. ~
He cites an item of the history of the Jews
) to illustrate his views of what would be the
! practical results of n-Resistance. 1t is
! certainly strange to me that so close think
er as my brother has shown himself to be
! on some other subjects--and possessing
withal so good heart as know he does
should have made so perfect failure, an,
not have himself detected it and corrected
himself. All that need be done, am sure
!, 10 set him right in the case, and sufficientl
i TO expose the inaptitude of his ILLUSTRATION
, is, simply to ask him whether in the cas-
> be has cited there was particle OF Non
= Resistance manifested or pretended, eithe
i in principle or in practice? Most eertainl
d everything was directly the reverse. 1t wa
&c uiolence and acar, the dntipodes of No7a-Rt
i sistance, that filed out this page, which
according to his own view of II, was anon
! the blacklist and bloodiest in human histc
al ry.
II Again I'm his exposition of that sayin
al of our Lord, "resist not evil,'' he says tn;
this was to "forbid only personal rests
i dnce to evil" Aye-indeed And doc
- my brother condemn and abjure " perso,e
! resistance TO evil % Yes,-he says, pr
! vate, individual revenge would be all thi
iii [brute violence, and more. It would
uld Furnishing at discretion indeed-it wou
. in be "brute force " indeed. Very WE'LL
! 10 Here is one straight step towards Non-R
gis- slstanee. Hope twill not be retraced vii
ev Out good reason. OF course if my broth
ion renounces personal resistance 10 evil