Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-11
From the Countryman.
To the Christian Public.


From the Countryman.
10 the Christian Public.
CONTINUED.
am now prepared to combat that erroneous
and deeterous doctrine by which not few of
your number are induced to vote for immoral
men, viz: that we are bound to choose between
two evils; and that we are justified in voting for
wicked man, if by thus exercising the elective fran
else we can prevent the election of another indi-
vldual, whose character Of policy is still more OBJ
jectionabe. The justification of this course is bas-
ed upon the false suppostion, that the election of
one wicked man in preference to another, is a
choice between two natural evils. Is it so, below
ed Friends? When profgate man is placed in
power do not the interests of moral ulrlue langush
under the influence of his example,? Does not
Uice take encouragement and hold up its bead i?
In the language of inspiration do not, sThe egicked
walk on every side when the yest men are exalt-
ed! Has it not already been shown that the cleo
tlon Of wicked men is moral evil? And are you
serious in your affirmation, that it is right and a
duty to choose between two moral evils? Do you
maintain, that it is consistent with the obligations
of Christianity to corrupt society by electng a
gambler and debauchee in order to prevent Others
from corrupting it more by the election of muir
derer? Is it the doctrine of Christ, that you may
corrupt society little in order to prevent Others
from corrupting it much? May you countenance
liars in order to prevent others from countenanc-
ing MeiUeS? Will you do evil that good may
conner Remember that the Apostle has affirmed
of those, who ADVOCATE this radically anti Christ
ian sentiment, that their damnation Is just. know
that you shrink back with horror from the dduoca-
cy Of this sentiment but dare you go and carry out
the tetestabe doctrine in your practice at the Bal
lot-boX:: TO avoid the force of this will you re-
sort to the evasion, which have known some to
make, and which serves no higher purpose than to
darken your moral perceptions and scar your con-
science? 1t is this, that circumstances change oul
relations and duties; and the fact of there being
two immoral candidates in the field one of which
will succeed, imposes OIL you the obligation to vote
for the least Objectionable of the two Do yo NEAR
to affirm, that when one prohigate candidate EN-
Iers the list with an other more prcfg gate, that the
success of the former is a sure pledge, that his i'm
| pious example will lose its power to corrupt socle
| ty? Do you mean, that The success of the gambler
| over the consceEce-seared murderer will render
the example of the gambler harmless? If you dc
not mean this, your argument has no potency ant
force. If the gamblers is still deeterious, lift en-
cOura2es vice and depresses virtue is not his eeva
ton still il moral evil? Is he not also your agent
| Is he not the man, whom you delight to honor
Have you not given him all his official Importance
and placed him in circumstances, where his exam
pie exerts a frghtful influence on the morals of so
ciety? And is it not an ncontrovertible trutl
| that yOU, by investing such a with off
cial dignity and honor, are corruptng the commu
nifty through the wide spreading influence of hi
example? How does it appear then, that his ele
walton to the dignity of an official incumbent is no
Il moral evil? Must it not of necessity be mora
evil, until prohigacy loses its power and tendency
to corrupt the morals of the people? Will not hi
influence be just as deleterious and deprecable, a
| if he were the only individual in nomination; or al
| it the opposing candidate were an individual com
prisng the highest moral integrity with trancen
dam talents? How long then, will you stand fortl
the practical advocates of the doctrine, that it i
one of the high duties which the .aLmighty has en-
joined upon you, viz: to support and honor theiuS
| in order to prevent others from supporting ant
honoring murdererS?
Is ii SIN 10 Uote for rulers of immoral character
And cannot this argument be made fatal to tn
plea of Justification, which many make for thei
efforts to elect wicked men to Officer They tel
| us, that when wicked man is SO associated witt
prOHlgale character, that the election of the on
secures the election the other, it may be prope
and just to elevate the wicked to the high and i'm
posing distinctions of office. Tell me, ye profess
ed friends of Christ, whether the fact of eevatin!
| a good man in connection with one, who is an of
fence to God, and moral pest to society, renders
the example of the unprncipled incumbent les
delfterious and eXecrable? Is his power to do mis-
chief diminished or increased by his elevation? /
it the tendency of power and popularity to reform
or corrupt men? Do YOU not know that the pros
pect of his reformation Is lessened by clothing hin
with the robes of office, and by placing him on tn
height Of power? And will not his influence Their
as truly corrupt men aud uphold wee, as if b.
we're moving in the retired walks of life' Will i
not be more spreading, more deleerous from
the fact, that one so wicked and prohigate has bee
made the subject of special honor? Will he not
in other words, be a moral pesGlence; and by pla
cling him in the high places of honor, have you
not been coTupting society through the far reach
ing influence oths polIuting example? And is
consistent with the principles and obligations o
Christianity for you to corrupt the people by elect
ing an immoral man; because by doing this yol
can to some extent be servicable to the people b.
electing man of moral WORTH What would yo
think Of the wretch, who should justify himself il
employing vessel of vipers in a circle of lttl
children, because, at the same time, he furnishe
them with partial antidote to their inhamabIe s
tornentng wounds1 Put your hands on the Bi
Bile and say, whether in order to elevate Chris
that holy Book justifes you in voting for Belial?
Or to place the matter in another point Of view
not less appropriate to the argument, may you az
n.I: a.