Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-02-25


and new ones formed and such is the tut-
MOL and commotion produced by the clash
ing Of truth and old tenets; so numerous are
the theories, and so able are the arguments
to support them, that we are bafled in our
attempts TO settle ourselves in any particular
opinion. One subject that has given me
much trouble is that of voting. The Consti-
tuition under which we have to vote requires
Of those who receive office under it, the per-
Torrance of duties which we deem counter
to the will of God. How are we TO appoint
men to such stations, whilst we believe these
truths that we are subject to the laws of the
Creator: that they are supreme; that the
laws Of no government can supersede them
that no tribunal instituted by men can ex-
empt us from our accountability to our Ma
ket? Can we shelter ourselves under the
Argument that the person for whom we vote
will conform the laws TO the Divine will J.
Does he not have TO bind himself as solemn
~, firmly, as man can be bound, 10 support
and enforce an iniquitous law until he can
do this Is he not therefore guilty And
do we not appoint him for that purpose and
are us not therefore guilty!
r From whence do we obtain our authority
70 DO wrong that right may RESULT Does
not the Apostle say of such, that 'thei! dam
nation is %justl" But suppose that the can
didate for Office really believes that il is right
to support the present laws, wrong as they
are, until they can be amended are we not,
by giving him our support, sustaining him
in ali erroneous position. Is he not the agent
Of a party! is he not an indispensable mem
Der of a party of this character ! would not
the party be wholly inefficient without him !
We have 10 answer these questions afirma-
lively. Therefore since he is the agent of
the party, the party must be culpable. Since
he is the only medium through which the
party, as a political party, can act upon the
government, their action must be poisoned
by his corruption.
Since the very existence of the party de-
ponds upon the incorporation of an evil mem
Der, does it not follow that the party is evil!
1t certainly does. And each member is as
guilty as the whole party.
But suppose for a moment that we were
unanswerable for our agents there is still
another way in which we would be guilty.
BY the act Of voting we declare that we ac-
cept the right to citizenship; that we bind
ourselves to support the laws and be govern
ed by the majority. 1t is with the agree
ment that the majority shall rule that we
vote. There would be no use in determine
ing the majority it it were not for this pur-
pose. Now we are by nature bound to sup
port the laws Of God and if we bind our.
selves to support the laws of a human gov
eminent, do we not attempt that which is
impossible, viz TO serve two masters.D But
lest some should deny that by voting we
bind ourselves to the government, | will give
what appears to me to be plain proofs. First,
when a foreigner comes to this country, be-
fore he is placed upon the footing of a ci,i-
zen he has TO swear allegiance to this govern
ment. Well, if a foreigner so sworn is pla-
ccd upon a footing with a native citizen,
does it not follow inversely, that a native Cit
izen is upon a footing with q foreigner so
sworn. Does any one suppose that a foreign
er who has become a citizen is under any
stronger obligations 10 government than a
native citizen. Secondly, republics acknowl-
edge this principle, that all governments
'derive their just power from the consent of
the governed" A man who is in favor of a
republic says he has a right to say by what
laws he shall be governed. Now as he
it for others also.
This is the way we can determine wheth-
er we claim no more than our just rights. Ii
we find, that after we have claimed our cir
Gle of rights, VT cannot ascribe the same
rights 10 others without interfering with
our own, we must, acknowledging that all
have equal rights, see that the limit Of our
rights is too extended. When we have ad.
t justed this limit properly we will find tina
I our rights will tally, that they will work to-
gether, like well fitted c~og-wheels, without
!, jar or %jostle. Well, therefore, he who claims
the right to say by what laws he shall be go
. verned' must grant the same privilege to 9th
ers. Now in voting does he say by wha
q laws he alone shall be governed! Does h
a not endeavor to make laws for the communi
q ty! And from whence does he derive thi
e right, but from a tacit agreement that the
shall have the same power over him. Blu
q there are some who acknowledge that by VIC
ting they become members of the govern
n ment, that they declare to support the laws
but they say, that by this declaration the
bind themselves either to support and ODE