Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-06-30
The following passages are extracted
from Dr. Channing's recent essay OH the
duty Of the Free States -
MORAL RESPONSIBILITY POL.
ITiCS.

H My great aim, in what have written,
and now write, on matters of public inter
est, is to rc-uniie politics and morality ;
to bring into harmony the law ofthe land
and the law Of God. Among the chief
causes of the miseries of nations is the
divorce which has taken place between
politics aud morality nor can we hope
for u better day TIL this breach be neal.
ed Men, intrusted with government, +,
have always been disposed 20 regard
themselves as absolved from the laws OF
justice and humanity. Fulsehoods and
frauds are allowed them for their country
or their party. To maintain themselves
against their opponents, they may even
involve nations in war and the murders
and robberies which follow this crime are
not visited on their heads by human JUS
,ice. In all times, government has been
the grand robber, the grand murderer,
and yet has escaped the deep reproba-
ton which breaks forth against private
guilt. Such proiligacy pervades the
sphere of political action, that the conn.
dence of The people is well-nigh with
drawn from political men ; and vir,uous
statesman is involved in the suspicious
which his unprircipled associates have
drawn upon his vocation. Public life is
thought to release men not only from the
obligations OF justice, but from the res
traints Of good manners and according
ly the debates OF Congress are too pol
lutcd by vulgar abuse threats and brawls.
So iow is he standard of political life,
that a man is smiled al for has simpiicHB
pho taiks Of Introducing religion into he
conduct Of public affairs. Religion, it is
thought, belongs to sabbaths and chur-
ches, and would be as much out Of place
in cabinets or halls Of Legislation, as n
delicate lady on field of battle. A
stranger might be tempted TO think, that
the Sergcant-at-arms was stationed at
the doors of legislative chambers, to for
bid entrance to the everlasting law OF
God, and that nothing but mans imro-
tcncc prevents the exclusion of Him,
whose holy presence fills the universe.
Nothing is so needed as TO revive in
citizens and rulers, the conviction Of the
supremacy Of the moral Christian law
Could this be done, the earth would
cease To be what in n measure II now IL,
the image OF hell, and would begin to
grow green again with the plants Of Par
adIse. Religion, the only true guide Of
life, the guardian and nspirer Of all vir-
tues, should especially reign over the
deliberations OF governments, by which
tho veal and woe oI nations, the solemn
questions Of peace aud war, Of life and
death, are determined. On this account,
every man who has studied human duty,
human perfection, human happiness, has
a right and Is bound 10 speak on matters
ofpublic concern, though his judgment
may be contemncd by hacknoyed poIlti-
clans. II seems, indeed, 10 DC Thought
by some. that politics are mysteries,
which only the Initiated must deal with
But in this country, they belong to the
people. Public questions are, and ought
10 be subjected 10 The moral judgment Of
he community. They ought to be- re.
icrrod 10 the religion We profess. Chris
llaniiy was meant 10 be- brought into ac-
iual life. The high and low, public aud
private men, are alike 10 bow before u
10 rrmove any sphere ofhuman action
from It's cogniznnce, is virtually To deny
hs divinity, aud to absolvo all men from
Iis coutrol. Under these impressions,
sbaii speak oi the duties oi the Free
Stairs Duties rank highoi than inter
esls, and deserve ibe Iirst regard II is