Richmond palladium., 1847-06-22

war is offensive or defemsiye2 II every iuciyii-
ua was LEFT free to Judge and determine public
measures, whether they were right or wrong,
and would act accordinly, we would be in a sad
state Of anarchy and confusion II would be
like the times when there no king in Israel,
and every man done that which right IN his
own eyes; and violence and crime covered the
land. According to the constitution, 1t belongs
to Congress TO JuGge and determine when war
IS lust and necessary. And in cases Of invasion,
il is the duty of the President to defend the
country. And the President, and all his coun-
se.tors in the Cabinet, aud all the members Of
Congress, besides the dictates or conscience,
are under solemn oath DO Justice, as they
shall answer III the high and holy court Of
heaven. Aud IN general, they men Of the
greatest intelligence, aud have Ear greater on
portunity Of knowing and determining what IS
right and wrong than private individuals can
have. and very great Difference should be given
to their juc gment and decisions. Solomon says
-'.ln the faultitude Of counselors there is safe
ty,' and .'w.th good advice MAKE war. And
If We cannot rely the councils of TIE nation
for this safe counsel and good advice. on whom
shall RELY Its surely more reasonable 10
suppose tha. their decisions would be right. than
the private opinions OF inaiviiuais. The purnst
courts Of Justice may err in Judgment; and the
high authorities Of the nation may sometimes be
wrong; vet. notwithstanding All this, they
ts- srest hopes for DEGREES of justice - -:
preservation If order and peace among men that
u found in this imperfect world. And what
are bound 10 suppose The legI authorities al
ways right Good government ia church or
State, requires great sacrifices al private opn-
ions am inctlnations- And in the scriptures. it
IS glarins trt.t IL The character OF the wicked
scof!rrs anc dcspieers Of government, that they
are setf-'7jHe7 that Is. they viii not submit 70
any authority VIII! but their owu. An. an0tIi-
er TRAIT Of their character - 't.sy are }aafn4ur
ers anl c2mefsiners.''
Let Us suppose government IN practice, ae-
cording to private opinion. A Justice would is
sue warrant to the const;tbie to appseheui an
offender, in his opinion he td2ugh tftrft. And
in the writs of the court TO the sheriff there
would be the same proyiso. And vhen tie Pre-
sldent would call Oh Governor fer men, he
would say ou are required to call out Ii" mill
tia of your State for the defence OF the country,
4, acr9fap1 70 yonf oD.noH, g@R Ls5, t-s ,r7E i
potHic aud Jast. And similar oraeTs wguja de-
-"-:'.. from the Gosernor down to the captains;
and they would t'Ic.. - = .--..- = 1.t1ez-
vous at certain time and place. TO march III de-
fence of the country, Il IN ttcir o5iH!on H 1cas
right. The common sense Of every mind rust
see that such plan Of government is ridiculous.
The opinions Of the Quaker Friends about
military power, appear 10 me very injurious, AMI
occasion great deal Of trouble themselves
and others They continually nIu~Inurinr
about The military duties. and the fines imposed
on them; calling them Injustice and oppression,
and even persecution. Now this IL A very lnise-
-abe state of mind II live IN. tl4 .'l~S ,.ldeay-
or TO qutrt their cousciences about the plum pre-
.tptN - the g'Spef, requiring Sub eft0H 10 tiIe
higher powers, sand submission 10 every crdinanre
Of man. by supposing that Suffering tie penalties
of the NV wittout resistance is sub,rctau and
obedience. But it j. very absurd to suppose that
suffering the penalty Of the law fer 5jSobedience
: obedience. The ,nan that determines never to
obey The law, and braves its penalties never can
q counted All obeaieut citizen; but d very trou- T
J!csone man, These Quaker opinions are the +
eause Of much trouble ia the minds Of others
Many who still do their military duties haze imbi-
Jed these not3ons but led bv the power Of custom
md human respect, they brave the dictates ofcon-
science, as is done IN the wiful commission or ev-
'ry SIn. know something about this Nv cxpcri- f
nee. In my youth, | often had tornputiur doubts f
iud fears this solemn subject Bat At the com
ne ncemcnt Of The last with England. gave +
ne nlatter faithful ana thorough investigation, 4
until became perfectly satisfied in my mind
The heavy burden Of fear ana prrDIexitN was zone;
lntccr IN the military service, ana crcourare 9th
r to dcteni our country. Instead OF feeling any E
conjunction. felt and believed that was doing
be duty or citizen and Christian.
Ihese erroneous opinions occasion Innch trou-
lie in the Government. and makc very great
ihcultcs in the legislation Of the country,
Inch PcrPlex and trouble the minds Of the
vjsest politicians. The Constitutions g1arantee
o all the sacred rights of conscience. Aud the
'ociety Of Friends pleai that to compel th~n 70
car arms IS as great violation of their religious
lght> and conscience to compel them to the
racttce Of 4 religion contrary to their faith.
ioIatry. And ihpv believe it Is unjust ana nm
ea~onablc for the Government TO require all the
- uple 10 muster, for the king OF Babyion TO
equire all the people 10 fall down and worship
lis golden image. And | believe that many Of
hem are 50 conscientious and sincere that they
you'd brave The flames of a hurOjnr fiery fur
ace rather than submit to the military l9g,.
iui although | oppose their opinions as vprv IN
arloas, with all my heart | adtnire auG love
uch men If sterling conscientious virtue. Ani
4 my opinion the Constitutions are cyiteatIvin
heir favor But on Inc other hand, the t'ansti-
atjoR Of Ohio, ANA all other re9Qh!lr-n F....<ti-
ntions declare that No preference shall erer he
frcG bu h1r II aay rriirians S7c5efy, nr mole Of
-orship." Ana 10 exempt one denomination
rom the military service, evidently necessary
nj indispensable IN every f-es government. aui
{ course imposing the heavier burdens on others.
rould be unconstitutional, ana very great in
lstice. The burden of taxes ana of military
utcs must be equally laii On all. without any
indeed very great difficulty aud troubIc IL our
Government. And Ne read of no such troubles
nj difficulties with the first Christians in the
rnItIye times when all the duties Of religion
-Cre Taught by Inspired tongues Aui ii by
eTSuaSit= ana conclusive rs-->o ming. and by the
1ighty power of trulh. could convince
ood QuaN-r Friends that their opinions
'rong, and injurious TO the peace and harmony
/ society, all these great difficulties and con-
one to the coantry- II wou!i be great aavan-
lEe ana happiness to the Quaker frle uds them
elvrs; they wouid feel that great burden was
one. And instead Of tine miserable life Of ever
au1 complaining, they would become
haFpy and conteated people, and cheerful,
oeaient citizens.
According 70 the inspired predictions, there is