Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-01-22
Mise ellaneous.
From the Portsmouth 10 urnal.
NOn.Resistance.


The friends Of Peace, and the Non.
Resistants in particular, are often charg-
ed with advocating disorganinzing princi-
plies which, if carried out, would plunge
society into irretrievable ruin. Are these
charges well sustained fare they true?
We think not Adopt their principles
1cholly, and society, instead of becoming
q formless chaos, would exhibit perfect
harmony, Persons, mislnterpret their
principles, or suppose their partial ato?-
ton. by the ill-dIsposed, and then go on
TO argue therefrom that their entire adop-
ton by the well disposed would be ruin
70 society. Let US see how these princi-
pies would work, if embraced by any one
man or set of men. -, 49,
Suppose that-l am Non-resis,ant, and
cannot, therefore, OOIpntGrily uphold
Government, directly or indirectly. AS
q Non-resistant, according to the exam
pie of Jesus and the precepls of Paul,
pay my taxes to town, county, state and
natlon,-!because cannot help so doing
without resisting by force or fraud the
laws of the country in which live. /
40 not hold Office myself, it is true, nor do
! elect others to office, but preach no
crusade against Government | do not
arge disconnected persons to resist the
public authorities ] do not tell criminals
to burn, steal, murder, rob, and DESTROY.
and that no human government has
right to punish them for so doing: l
press only my fellow men, love to God,
and peace and goodwill towards men
leave the Government in the hands of
those who can conscientiously uphold and
administer it. In doing all this, how arc
my. principles disorganizing2 Would
society suffer from having one such per-
son in Its bosomf Would not the good
influence of his life and conversation i'm.
prove and elevate those around him -
making them better subjects, even of the
government under whichthey lived? If
one such person would benefit society.
how much more would thousand! Sup.
pose one half of our population were
thus welded TO the principles of peace
in what could they iniure the other half
BY their harmless and Christian lives o.
In nothing. surely. That half, which
still bellevedin the lawfulness of violence,
might still maintain its system of govern
ment, iand in increased security: for can
we believe that no salutary influence
would proceed from the calm and peace
fol lives and doctrines OF SO large body
Of he followers of the Prince of Peace2
There is far grealer potency ia moral
tnan IN physical q pence, and in socie-
ty so far advanced tina. one half of its
members were protested and practical
non.resistants. the development of the
spirit Of violence in the other half would
be weak indeed their principles would
become mild in practice; indeed, in a
great measure, they would become dead
letter the spirit Of Peace would be irre-
sislible!
, But exclaims our opponent, do not
bold with you here would be rogde's
paradise, indeed he would not want any
thing better than one half of society 10
prey upon, without let or hindrance.
And 10 such an one we would answer
You are very K ind. sir to be so solisitous
Tor our welfare. We are willing to sui.
ierstlie consequences of the 3rincinles
Which we have adopted; we call not IN.
on The arm of flesh % protect US: NE ask
no assistance from you; We merely beg
70 De lett alone We obey Government il
az things il which The laws 81 God per-
mt os 90 to 10; you certainly ought 10
e able 70 protect yourselves against vour
own roeues IS conirn, then, live accord
~ aQnxs conscience, md allow us to
\, q At aseofa'ng 81 airs and crumbs NOT
s.. ~ your heart Be iroubIed. beeans 8