Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-12-08
u.u.rks by Member Of the Society Of Friends
=. ~ subject Of War, i'm reply to A. W., who
o1SrexSed the Society that subject.

In he
nb 1847 we find Address the Society of Friends
- The subject Of War;, SIGNED the close with the let
,ers NJ probably the initials Of the writer nae who
,eoresents himself be old and is. as apPrchend
professor of the christian religion, Of the Roman Cafho
lie persuasion. cu;,,u ,,,,, ,o,oa 30
Society and principles; who loves the truth and loves
christianity but who greatly deplores great delu
SON. wicked in itself and awfuly destructive in its con
sequences, attempts a reply.
do not conceal that look upon the address alluded TO
AZ exraornary;in the first place that old man, and
christian professor at this enlightened age and wn
the evidence around him which he has should continue to
entertain views favorable o custom repugnant TO the
holy religion Lord Jesus Christ, and utterly at
variance with its spirit that dreadful scouge OF nations
called war; second place. thar he should far
compromise his dignity christian as to commit to VIII
ting something like defence Of that scourge. That rea-
sonngs similar to his, should escape the lips OF uco'er
ted men, who seek for their actions ana scntnets
who desire the liberty of the qualification OF their passos
Who short desire liberty evil for evil and TO do
violence every who insults Injuries hcm would not
be surprising They and to be excepted: and
of regret for the happiness of the world that
many christian professors do sufficiently examine the
subject in all of its bearings but follow on IN the support
Of this sanguinary custom
We taught by the benign religion Of our Holy Re-
'rsst cv' and by the example of the bes-
scd Author Of submit patiently 10 the worst abuses ana
prosecutions without resistance. He was Tho y harmless
indebted separate from Sinners and his heavenly spirit
was distant from the spirit of revenge and bloodshcd
light is from darkness; 'HE LEFT Us AN EXAMPLE
FOLLOW STEPS, And every devoted
christian, experienced repentance and re-
ternal life who lives in the spirit walks IN the spirit IS also
to for he cannot be otherwise unless the wicked
passions which Satan fosters live in christians heart
IF he loves God with all his heart &C. and loves his neigh
Dor himself both which he viii be taught experiment.
ally he will also love the whole human family. and
wfiy do them violence injury without judgment
and condemnation.
need perhaps take tim, and pains to review the Ad-
dress, but for hope that feeble labors tend to
render harmless possible in the minds of such as have
yet sufficiently tried the subject by the christian stan
dard, in serious and wcighty examination
He that civil government cannot be maintain
ed without military power; an assumption winch consider
without proof and contrary fact and past experience
He might well endeavor to maintain that an individual
cannot live civil society without going constantly armed
would almost understand him that the civil law could not
be executed in Ohio, without military power but in TRUTH
military power very little do with it In most when
il is tried is found insufficient. 1t has been difficult by
military suppress mob who were notorious
" treadng under foot; whereas the civil power
has. perhaps in ninety nine cases out OF hundred sui
tccn bring criminals punishment. The government
of Pennsylvania supported for 10 years alter liz oran
zaon. and friendly intercourse maintained even with the
Indians during military being allowed. And
would be the horror of the citizens and the dis
honor OF republican country standing army or
temporary had to be called forth to support
and maintain the civil laws. During the 10 years atore
named when the civil laws were much under the influence
of Friends those laws maintained mixed peo-
Ple to nations and professions without the aid OF any
military power; and 1t seems to me that our every daI 90
scrvaton and experience mig convince that there is
no need of such power now.
He singular hand quote scripture. He concludes
tn of this world must have military force
from the words of Savior, whore he If my king
dom of this world then would my servants fight
Tulybut ''hs king iom is OF this world as he de-
cares; therefore his servants cannon hSm me PasSa5
rcibe towards contrary proof from what he wants to
make Jesus Christ is emphatcaly the PRINCE OF
PEACE: under his kingdom and government nation snail
not Lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn
He saws that vengeance belongs Cod and that he has
authorized government with authority and power to
wrongs ask, where has hc given such authority
Not in the Bible, be 1t would b. inconsistent
too charge upon the Divine character that he
would authorize government individual his agent
do What he expressly prohibits in his Divine law 1t IS
that friend should endeavor to that
It is the duty of the christian To honor and obey the cons-
uted authority of the State; that is doctrine already
hold. And who holds it conscenciousv! Excepting
only all tho reuuistions either civil military which
in violation Of the Divine commands. In these think
right 10 obey God rather than man and if citizens
CURED part of their christian duty to obey every edct
Of their rulers without inquiry. it would b.
to show that the Apostles ought have preached and
taught in the of Jesus after they had been strictly
commanded not TO do 50. See Acts ~ l8--y. 40 And
where would have been the gcat reformation in the OF
Luther and afterwards. if all men had been governed
this ruel 1t would be easy Q show that a christian would
be IN duty bound 10 commit idolary, ~ worsppng Jug
gernau in HndooSail. and required BY the authorities
TO do Aso that protestant; should be permitted
hold religious meetingn Mexico rulers being cath
olics should direct otherwise Daniel bv such rule
ough, have worshipp,d Nebuchadnezzars image, The
truth is bound obey the rulers and fulfil the laws
in all reasonable and allowable things But rulers can
have right Divine sanction - make urigh,eo,s
law and citizens would be uniu>tiabc fulfilling such
laws believe that the Society of Friends law abiding
people; and that best members good citizens; and
good examples in this respect
lie says that is the duty of soldier suppress and
prevent violence. not TO commit it. Now il to
that every act of soldier when engaged in fighting. is
ACT OF violence 1t appears that his arguments
be summed up IN short about follows: The military
commander Level your arms at the head and the
heart FIRE. If you burst the and tear out the other
all the better: this is roicacc Run YOUR bavones
through the bowels off heads with YOUR swords break
legs. shoot off this all violence all; KILL wound
burn. and destroy in all and every YOU