New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-08-06
Our Country, Right or Wrong THE Gospel
Banner.

Banner.
The Editor OF the Banner. in commencing reply
70 our last article in apprehension OF his Right on
Wrong doctrine, says:
ave ore sorry he does notice the chief sentiment
Of what we have said have intended to say and ex'
pose ito error indeed II be viz that in time
o! national peril II IL the duty OF all good citizens to go
for their country, whether the cause which led 10 inc
peril was In Judgment OF tho individuals, right or
wrong II he objects this continent let him gay So
before the American people, in so many worde and
opcply aud plainly declare that he will not go Tor his
country but aganst H. h his Judgment any OF Its con
sstutonR and logitimaiey cnnctcd laws or dongs are
y improper wrong Lee, him hang that Banner out-so
different from much more Christian than the
{osps Banner which enjons obedience the will of the
majority constutonaly expressed through the forms
O. wand how many nuhers he can get 10 train
IN his company We like TO have things come 10
"pont" Wil Mr. Greeley say that he or any other Cit
zen has the right TO oppose the Country Is, its
lsws-whcneycr he or they shall choose TO pronounce
them "wrongP Hesay so Tor your couniy-rlght as
ahc may be in some hings--wrong as she Is perhaps
iu others but whether right or wrong, or right and
wrong (Which is always nearer the truth IN all her pre-
oeedlngs) still 90 for country We are verify guilty
of this un. Gospel sentiment But, thank God' II Is
sentiment that has made Nation and Tree people
and that has hitherto sustained the most enlightened and
happy government, that ever existed among me great
family of Nations. And trust tho day Is iar-iar
honce when null.hcaon and anarchy shall eXanguish
oil the glorious blessings the Republic now enjoys
Yes Sir we understood you to say all that. and
you, if you had paid any attention to our argu-
msuts, would not have needed any reStatement OF
our position. We have never proposed 10 nullik
my law Of the land nor to disobey any. So far as
the majority. or the tunctionares elected and sus
tanned by them have constitutional right 10 re-
quire our obedience. SO far they shall have 1t. And
when we say this we do not mean the Constitu
ton as we understand it, but it shall be judi
cially expounded and construed by the tribunal Of.
last resort the Supreme Court Of the United States
The Banners talk OF nullfers and nuhGcatien'
is ut once inappropriate and unworthy. But while
we acknowledge and shall perform our whole duty
as subject of the law, paying taxes TO support
this abominable War and taking up arms in 1t for
the defence OF our Country If required we at the
same time understand and shall exercise our rights
as Freemen-as portion Of the awmakins. gov
esnment-drecting power, and IN that capacity re-
sponsible 70 God and conscience, but not NJ al
TO the majority, any more than they are TO US. AS
citizens and voters in this Republic, 1t Is our night
aud duty to expose and resist all nquities III high
places, and especially all needless. offensive as-
gressive Wars which are the most gigantic and
atrocious Of National crimes, He must be poorly
acquainted with the nature and genius OF Free In
stltutions who does not recognize our perfect night
30 labor for the termination of this War by enisht
snmg our fellow citizens to its causes its objects
and It's enormous wickedness. while at the same !
tune We obey the constituted authorities of the |
Country in every legal requirement. The moral I
responsibility of our acts so constrained rests on
those who have involved us in War and persist in I
waeing it; but the majority and the Government
have no power over sentiments, our conyic
mons, our acts as voter and portion of the cleo
soral sovereignty OF the Nation, and Of course no
responsibility therefor In all this We &C, in entire
freedom responsible only 70 conscience and TO God (
We had conceded in our last article the night I
70 shed human blood in imminent selfdefence-tha,
m the night TO take the life OF the guilty in order to
save that of the innocent. This sentiment the I
Gospel Banner improves as follows
Yes bu, what Is and when may DC. the defence of I
the lives and persons OF tsIly7 Must wsr iii the
assassin actually enters house forces his way into
bedcbsmber and begins 70 shoot Us and them, Is
this and this only defensive and the only usnfsbe
act Of war part But perhaps by wsrns nj he I
called his sbettors around house 10 prevent our
escape from the windows and actually entered our
with pistols and swords. have neglected duty 10
oursef and ours, and thereby made II certain we and
hey must lose OUR lives Nay-we must not wal, for
the murderers steel 10 pierce breasts before
rsreaf has killing And to do ts may be necessary
that We spill his blood while he is yet IL the street
and before ne has fred gun II even be necessary
ha' We allow him MOTTO gain position in the street a, all
but that while he Is yet his ground making ready
70 ctoss e s3ee Ne leave family behind Us and go
iorth 10 prevent his assault even if we have 10 enter his
house ioI me Parpose-o prerea it we say by binding
ala we could and az we should prefer but if neces
hosoHIey necessary even by taking his life there
tbs would be invasion and what brother greeley would
cal offensive war Very we-k is difeua 10 I'll IN ,coy
4.sA 70 aaEy n ne aJ're and aiek he cSsnstue-
And again in reply to wha. We said Of invasion
curious war that "oaid Be, sass any nation should