Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-09-27
From the Countryman.
10 the Christian Public,

Is IT sIN TO VOTE FOR RULERS OF IMMORAL
CHARACTER?
Christian reader, why have you commenced the
perusal of this artice3 1t is meant for you and
all that fear God. Do you mean to give it can
did, impartial, and thorough perusal? If not, lay
it down at once: and do NOT yourselves, the writer,
and the subec the INJUSTICE OF partial examina-
ton. The question discussed in this article is
of the deepest interest to you to your country,
and to the world. These thoughts require some
thing more than mere passing consideration
The question, to which your attention is invited,
is this
CAN YOU. CONSISTENTLY WITH THE OBLIGATIONS
OF CHRISTIANITY, VOTE FOR MEN, AS RULERS OF
THE PEOPLE, WHO ARE KNOWN TO BE IMMORAL?
| design, in this investigation to bring this ques-
ton of voting for immoral men to the test Of chris
tan principle; and show that whenever you exert
your influence in favor of the election of such men
to office, and especially to offices of high impor-
lance and responsibility, you sin against God. BY
an immoral man, mean a man who is prOfane
swearer, sabbath-breaker, a scoffer, gambler, a
drunkard, debauchee a Shareholder, or dueIist.
If he has but one of these deestabe traits Of char
acter, he may be justly charged with immortality.
Much nhnnvnnS 10 this rhnrgo is he, whose
character Is combination of two or more ofthese
vices. And maintain, thar to vote for such men
is violation of the obligations of christianity.
LIST. Because in voting for such men you act il,
opposition 10 the true meaning and spirit Of The
prayers pclich you are bound 10 offer unto God for
righteous rulers.
You will not deny that it is your duty to pray
that the Almighty would give US just and good men
to rule over us. Surely you would not dare to ask
him so TO override the political concerns of the ma
ton, that profane swearers, sabbOth-bre kers, OPP
pressors, drunkards, debauchees, and duelists may
come into The high places of power. You shrink
from so fragrant and frightful an impiety as this
And yet, guilty inconslstency-you will vote fol
men, as rnIers of the people, whose characters are
so notoriously immoral that you would regard i
rs the height Of impiety and insult to ask God II
give men Of their character to govern the people
You know, you acknowledge, that you are boun'
to pray for those rulers only, who are of blameles
example, and of tried and acknowledged moral in
tegrity You will not, you dare not, pray for thos
who are known to be immoral, whose charac
tiers are stained with high crimes and mlsdemea
nors. And is it morally right to vote for me-
whom you would not dare to ask God to put il
offices CT responsibility and trust? You dare no
ask God to give us gamblers to rule over US
, Will you vote for gamblers? You dare not as
him 10 elevate shareholders. Will you vote 70
: shareholders? You dare not ask him to put due
lists into the high places of power. Will you vot
for duelsts? You pray for none but good an
. worthy men for rulers. But how is Jehovah t
give US good rulers, except through the instrumer
talty of the hallot-box? Surely, YOU do not eA
pecl that men after Gods own heart are to arts
and violently seize the rcins of government. Go
! will not work miracles to give US men of spotes
- character and ncorruptible integrity. Not unit
. he is determined to chastise US, as a nation, teri
bly, for our SINS by bringing upon US the horrors
bloody revolution, will he employ any othe
means, than the ballot-boX to answer your prayer
for rulers fearing him and working righteousness
fbo,,l 10 hat kali Lox
votes for men, who stand justly impeached for in
morality of conduct, and corruption of moral priI
= ciple? Are you not thus tempting the Almighty
: Are you not, as far as appropriate means are cot
: cerned, rendering it IMPOSSIBLE for God to answt
y your prayerS' 0 Christian! blush at your incot
% sstency and guilt in praying that God would al
: point us rulers of this great people, men Of unlu
- peachable morality and pure principles, while,
I the beck OF party You deposte your votes for sal
u bath-breakers, gamblers or duelists. Be guilty
II this Inconsistency no longer. Cease praying fl
good men, you may not; but cease Uoting for acicI
ed men yoW must; or you will come under tt
y lfrighltul anathena Of those who honor God vii
r1their mouths, but in ,corkS deny him.
. 2nd. His sin against God TO vote for immor
men, because he has giUen us specific directions y
!; specting the moral qualifications ofrulers
e You profess to be a Christian, and you ha'
m promised to be governed in all things by the il
!, spired decisions Of revealed truth. You believ
f that in all matters of faith and practice its author
nj ty is paramount and universally binding Liste
then, to its plain and unequivocal Instructions
10 relation to the moral qualifications of those WI
ii are to fill the sacred seats of public and responS
If BILE offices, 2d Samuel xiii So The God of
p rae said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he tn
Il ruleth over man must he just ruling in the fear
Il God;" Exodus xviii: 81. +" Moreover thou shs
,e provide out of all the people, able men, such
a. fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; nj
placs sueh over mem to 90 the rulers oil thousan