Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-26
For the Herald Il Rhode-Islander.
"Our Country right or wrong"

Of Madboroughs army in Flanders, entered into
discussion relative to the probable result of
n anticipated engagement with the French
One of them closed her discourse, by saying
hat she hoped that God would stand by the
right" The other more patriotic" rejoined
that she hoped that God would stand by the
Duke Of Marlborough right or 1rong.'
This sentiment slightly paroded by Commo-
dore Decatur seems to have become an APPROX
ed maxim with large portion Of our citizens,
including some who profess to be ministers Of
he Gospel OF Peace.
believe that if this popular maxim, "Our
Country right or wrong" be examined in the
light of truth, it will be found to be merely the
plural of he selfish sentiment of the abandoned
woman, and that "our country right or wrong
THE Duke Of Marlboro right OF wrong -
| Ny Friend "right or wrong"-orI myself right
or wrong" will be found TO stand on the same
lpalorm-alike at variance with sound moral
ity and the pure precept, ofc christianity.
| | have lately read from the American Re.
view, a Memoir Of an officer in the American
army who was killed in Mexico, in which the
writer attempts to shew, the consistency Of the
military profession with the religion of Jesus.
The subject of the memoir seems to have been
really religiously inclined. and far be it from
me to seek to limit the meIcies Of compass
sonate God but the writer has interwoven
with the memoir, sentiments which | think
should be closely examined, before they be al
lowed TO pass for truths; as for instance the
following =" Until The Kingdom of Peace shall
be fully established on earth, every age will
present for our regard its christian warriors,
as well as its Jurists Scholars and Statesmen
lf this be true christian warriors" will be
among the last to become members Of the king
dom of peace, which is Chrisls Kingdom, every
member of which must be a subject Of his. 10
other words Christians are to be among the last
Of the human race who are to become Christians
! In snppor, OF such contradictory sentiments
rs this, the writer Of the memoir seems to rely
mainly on the law, which waswritten expressly
for the Jews on tables of stone, and which by
its own showing was to be fulfilled aud finished
at the coming of the promised Savior and spir.
itual Law giver, Jesus Christ-whilst the wri'
ter draws no argument in support ofhisopinions,
from that more perfect law, which was to be
written in the heart, and in reference 10 which.
Jesus says, aye have heard it hath been said
an eye for an eye and tooth for tooth" but
say unto you that ye resist not evil-but whose
ever shall smie thee on thy right cheek turn to
him the oher also, and if any man will sue thee
at the law and take away thy coat, let him have
thy cloak also, can the imagination conceive
of any thing more foreign to these precepts
than that of T. christian warrior making II
his profession to main and to kill his fellow
creatures, and who devotes his life to the study
of the science Of human destruction. So faT
from obeying the injunction to resist not evil
he "christian warrior" goes forth 10 commit
what he acknowledges to be wrong, and relies
for justification upon the bare fact that his
country wills it, lie is educated at the public
expense, not to think, but TO .fgh and XIII, for his
country; no matter who, provided they are
first branded by his government as enemies,
nay, even should its chief executive officer, the
commander in chief OF his country'S armies,--
usurp, unconstitutional powers, and order him
to invade neighboring people, he rushes tc
| . his duty" drowning the gentle exhortations OF
he Prince of Peace, with the insane shouts o
"our country right or wrong" Fire and sworc
are in his hand, and the path of the "chrisiar
warrior" is henceforh red with the blood o
murdered men women and children, Lighted
Il a. Of ba;r linz
with their dying curses on his head.
II has been related that during battle il
Mexico, a Mexican woman was observed OF
he field of carnage administering what little
aid and consolation she could to the wounded
and dying men, when she was suddenly killed
by ball.
Il II was also said that after the storming of ;
city, the ruins of house were sLewn, in which
during the siege a family of five persons were
seated at breakfast, when a shell from the Amer
lean lines fell in their midst killing them in
stanty, and mngling the fragments of quiver
ing flesh and the blood of parents and children
together.
II When the "chrStian warriors" engaged il
Il these murders are arralSneu oelore tne jug
ment seat of the Prince Of Peace, will they turl
from the or,uring gaze of the accusing spirits o
their slaughtered victims, and dare to appeal L
a soulless political organization Of sinful men
| TO shield thcm> elves from the just judgmen,
| Of an offended God1 Will they not rathe
Il find, that although war may be commenced b
The rulers of a nation, still each and every in
dividual will be held responsible by their maker
for the share they have contributed to its prose
culion, whether it be by active cooperation, tn
furnishing of money or materials for its sur
port, in encouraging its enormities by justify
ing its continuance, or by strengthening tn
hands of its iniquitous authors by their countt
nance and appreciation, or by bestowing o
them unusual personal attention.
II GTThe following is the inscription on
grave-stone in the town of Cranston, abou
three miles from Providence, which we cop
from the Journal Of that city
T.. Al. nss1..