The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-01-25
D. S. MURRAY, PRINTER.
G ON NJ U MIC TION.
For the Voice of Frocdon.

I SuuWh CouCIuSiVelV tudl tne laws ana
practices of war are inconsistent with the
law of God and the gospel Of Christ, /
may well rest the question here, as far as
it relates 20 proof and argument. For, to
the mind Of every true christian, all who
have received the law Of God as their in
taIIibe rule OF practice. ADD yielded their
hearts 10 the obedience of faith ia Christ
these considerations are final in the case
And sach alone are truly e2ared 10 make
efec!ualappIicalion oflhe remedy provided
or the evil of war. But so long has the
! Legitimate action OF civil government been
COMPOUNDED with its abuse, it is 10 be fear
ed many honest minds may suspect a
mistake; and that those rules and maxims
do not apply in their full force to the op.
eratlons oil civil government. Ga this ac-
count it seems important 10 examine for a
few moments the laws and usages of war
as they stand opposed to civil government.
The true design Of law is to secure the
rights OF men; or in other words 10 do
justice, by system Of rational laws
Says the preamble 10 the constitution of
the United States, We the people of the
United States, in order 10 form more
perfect onion, establish justice insure do
meslc tranquility, provide for the com
mon defense. promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings Of liberty to OUT
selves and our posterity: do order and es-
tabiish this constitution"
The ultimate force Of this paragraph
may be comprised 10 the one phrase, ses-
taJlasA jestice,' the remainder is little
else than an amplIftaiion Of the same
thought. The constitution OF this State
also expresses the same fundamental prin.
cipie, thus: Every person ia this State
ought 10 fnd certain remedy, BY having
recourse 10 the laws, for all Injuries or
wrongs he may receive in his person,
property, or character; he ought to obtain
right and justice, freely, and without be.
ing obliged 10 purchase it, completely and
without any denial, promptly and without
delay, conformabiy 10 the laws. And
again: The military shall be kept under
strict subordina.ion 10. ard governed by,
the civil power" Mark also The care
with which civil governments are organ
zed to secure this end. The legislature,
Judiciary, and executive are kept distinct
in their structure and their functions.
Observe also the care with which the
law would secure justice, and guard
against popular prejudice in all its oper-
ations. The law must first DC established,
defining crime, the nature of evidence,
penalty &c. The compIainer in GRIMM
al case must either be a sworn officer or
liable for cost. Witnesses must be disin-
,eresled, OF character, sworn aud hub!e for
perjury; the Judges of high reputation for
integrity and as far as possible removed
from popular liability, and Yet made La
BILE for false judgment. Then the rich,
of jury with the privilege Of challenge.
And lastly sworn officers Of trust 10 exc
cute the law. But mark the contrast of
war both in It's rules and in its practical
operations. lis moving powers are osten-
ation, revenge and malice. These the
party offended or sighted usually seeks 10
enhance BY stirring and exaggerated APP
oells TO popular passion. Then he makes
lis own particular export tacto law, gives
t his own construction, adduceS at pleas
ire, capricious and irresponsible witness.
IS, puts his own construction on the testi-
nonV, posses the seutthce and then him
self proceeds to the execution, and all this
n his own case! Is proof demanded for
his wcIl-hnown poslton2 refer again
0 Wallet; see Law of nations, Book 4,
|hap. ii 92l, Every power at war pre-
ends to have right on its side, and that
,retence is not liable 10 be judged of by
'thers" Book 5, Chap. xi, Il89 & 100,
AS there is no judge between nations,
Var in form islo be accounted just on
9th sides" Book 2, Chap iii, $40, I'm
very case susceptible Of donbt, the arms
f the two parties are to be accounted
qualy lawful as to external eftcts."--
And ia sections AZ 43 Al and 40 arc con-
lined the following STATEMENTS The