Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-04
Volume VII;$::::::::%:Number 10.


its ships burnt, and its sailors dragged away from be-
meath its insulted flag it unsheathed the sword against
of the mighty blligeranis; and, after short
test in which Its navy, small though II was sustain
ed itself ngloriousy against the proud Mistress
of the Ocean, il gained honorable peace and
presented by patient negotiation, It's Just claims against
the other till it obtained what 1t sought reparaton.
1t gained Louisiana by purchase In circumstances In
which there is not one Of the Great Feudal Powers of
Europe that would not have taken it by conquest In
its treatment of the Indian tribes it has been, in Its
general course Of policy not only Just, but generous
and magnanmous. Ii annexed Texas not rashly
and inconsideraely. until it became, in fact
well as In right, independent. Two questions OF
boundary between it and Great Britain, have been
amicably adjusted, in manner highly honorable 10
both. And, may not hope that the same regard to
justice and moderation which has characterized
government hitherto, may, by the blessing of God
upon national counsels extrcate from the DIFF
fculties in which at present invoved
On this subject, and on the subject of your duties
as citizens generally, have two remarks to make
two extremes 10 point out, which are with scrupu-
lous and religious care 10 be avoided
The first is, that line of conduct which it needs not
many words to describe since. from the time of Wash
lngon down 10 the present. 1t has been pretty strong
ly drawn, in the practice of SUCH being Ou of pow
seek to get in by saying all manner of evil against
the President of the United States and all others in
authority" Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler
OF thy people, is rule, which like other general
rules, has its exceptions but let it be remembered
that in the of exception the burden of proof
rests upon the subject. And if there seat of
thOrlty earth which. than any other, demands
that the exception be clearly made out il is the Chair
of State of the Chief Magistrate of this Union for
surely. the difficulties which beset it, especially In
times like the present must be very great.
The opposite extreme has been already pointed out,
| In fhp of tho iluO rlS lS
per here to state ii more briefly 1t is that view of
government which makes Its authority paramount,
binding. In all cases, the subject This is arbitrary
government. do not aay that it is to be banished
altogether from the face of the earth. The common
soldier and sailor are Of necessity placed under it.
But the citizen 1t is his privilege and most
solemn duty, in certain cases, TO be "fuy persuaded
in his mind" that what the government COM
mands is in itself right, before he will obey In set
Ting this question let him consider well how much
he 10 government which is indeed not little;
let him, in of policy, yield implicit ODE
dlence this much let him ''render to Caesar. But,
when ordered to do what is morally wrong, lei him
pause and think of authority superior to that Of
Caesar, tribunal to which Cesar himself is respon-
sble. But what if Caesar should undertake to compel
him! No Polcer conlpeL him to do any aorong
thing. Cesar may imprison him; contscate his
goods; put him to death; but the Bible gives him
wherewith to arm himself against such DANGER by
showing him greater: . Fear not them that kill
the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather
fear Him which able destroy both body and soul
in HE'LL
am not speaking of the present war; for accord
ing to the Law of Nations, think it just What
pleading for is the rig-inherent in every citizen
of enquiriHg, thinking. Judging, all moral 9ueS-
tions. This the religion of Common Sense requires
OF every one In the estimation Of every man who
deserves be Free this is the dearest of all rights
lfflo
moral Considerations and, which is the life and soul
of the Feudal Governments of Europe,-has deprived
the people of that continent of this right and for this
they are doomed TO perish. The marks Of decay are
visible them all. We haze this right. Our Gov
eminent is built upon it. 1t is the interest of our
government to maintain and defend it. The interest
of our government in this, IN every thing else, is
the same as Ours-identlca with the interest Ut the
people, the whole people This is glory.
But what these interests -
Paley said (payfully) that he could not afford to
keep conscience, though conscience, such could
feed In the utarian pastures OF his philosophy, one
would think, could not cost much in the keeping.
But, trus that this great nation can afford to keep
conscience. and also of better Breed that is
somewhat NICE somewhat discriminating in It's taste,
that cannot be SO tanned that under the yoke of
any power 1T will consent to ''draw iniquty with
cords Of vanity, and sin as it were with cart rope"
But if motif the same cause which has trodden
in the dust the liberties of the people of the old world,
If the military spirit should ever so far change the
state of things with realize the fable of 1.-The
horse, The and the stag, In our future expert
ence;- if 1t should become dangerous for the peace
ful citizens to entetan be suspected Of entertain
ing, opinions at variance with those of the dominant
party,-then indeed, far as government is concern
ed there will be further occasion to discuss moral
questlons-we shall become nation, like the Turks,
made up of tyrants and slaves and, after that, 1t
will matter little what may become of us.
What then are the interests of the nation! A
christanized conscience replies
righteousness exalteth nation"
Let then enquire what is meant by this righteous
ness which exalteth ma ion 1t includes first, Punt
tive Justice. Else it could not be exercised the
Sacred Scriptures and Common Sense say that ii
should FLOR terror to evil-dOers and praise to
such as do we'll" Take from rectoral Justice her
sword leaving only her bandages and her scales, aud
what is she A phantom, mOckery, thing To be
hooted at, spit upon, torn and trampled underfoot.
Take from our national Emblem the Arrows and the
Thunderbolt leaving only the Ove-branch and--ii
Knight please the NO-rcSisiants, but it would be al
emblem of nothing God Almighty made to repre-
sent his authority among men. Such a thing is moi
from Heaven and can DO no good on EARTH 1t emf
mates not, say, from Him of whom the Psamist thu,
pousy sings, Justice and Judgment the Habita
tiOn of thy Throne Mercy and Truth shall go before
thy face" And say, further that it can do no good
on earth. The authority which Is not terror tC
evil-doers is indeed muckery, but not a mocke
ry, it becomes in the working of social interests,
positive evil and in whatever sphere it is exercised
from the domestic circle up 10 the throne of empire
it reverses the maxim have quoted and becomes, in
fact, terror 10 such do well and praise 10 evil
doors: it leaves the lamb the mercy Of the wolf
it turns the Temple of God into den of thieves. II
is in short, thing not to be tolerated In the world
he only thing good about it is, that it cannot last
Nature disowns the monster, and it dies IN It's own
weakness.