The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-10-10
1.-THE HIGHER LAW INFiMY,"

The Pennsylvania, commenting upon our state
ment, that the Divine Law is higher than Human
Law, and that where they conflict, the former
must be obeyed before the latter, says
"This doctrine, carried out to the full, would
destroy the best Government that ever existed ;
leaving to every citizen the construction of the
laws under which he lives, and allowing def
ance of the injunction Of those statutes, which
have been framed on the highest principles of
Civilization and Christianity"
| Our doctrine allows no such defiance on the
contrary it asserts the duty of the citizen to
obey all laws that have been framed on the high
est principles of civilization and Christianity, and
to disobey those which attempt to enjoin upon
him the performance of duties in conflict with
such principles. This doctrine, "carried out to
the full would always tend to the overthrow Of
bad Government, and the establishment of good
Taken in connection with the principle of sub
mission to the penalties imposed on account Of
the transgresson Of Human Law it is at once re.
formatory and Notwithstanding the
amendment or repeal Of bad laws, and securing
meantime the public peace.
Politicians have uttered a great deal Of non
sense about the Higher Law Doctrine. The
old Pagans always recognised the will Of their
gods as above that of men, And what is the
assertion of the inviolate sacredness of national
rights by our Declaration of independence, but
an affirmation of the Higher Law2 awe hold
these truths to be elf.evdent, that all men are
created equal-that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights-among
which are life liberty, and the pursuit o: happi-
nessD
then they necessarily override all human ar
rangements which attempt to subvert them No
human statute can take from man right which
is uoltaoble-that is, impossible to be taken
| away.
What is the recognition in the Constitution Of
the United States and in our State Constitutions
of the rights Of conscience, what the inhibition of
all legislation abridging them, but a recognition
of mans allegiance to a Power above all Human
Power, a Law higher than all Human Law
| Have not the members of the respectable, law
abiding Society of Friends, from its foundation to
this time n all countries, acted out this doctrine
|
fully, in regard to laws imposing military duty,
uniformly dsobeying them, as at war with that
Higher Law which, in their judgment, forbids the
shedding Of blood? Who charges them with
being dsorganizers, law-breakers acting in such
a way as to subvert Government, and reduce So
cety to n state of anarchy
There is not one of these declamers against
the Higher Law who is not in fact q believer in
the very doctrine he scouts as infamous and disor-
ganizing.
Suppose the Legislature of any State should
pass a law establishing church with certain
creed, and requiring the attendance and worship
therein Of every citizen, no l tier though he
should believe that church the supporter Of un.
sound doctrines or false morals Suppose the ed
itor Of the Pennsylvania believed this, would he
obey the law, and violate his conscience
But, the Pemsyludnan is horror-stricken at the
idea of "lcaving to every citizen the construction
of the laws under which he livesn Has he no,
that right now II he obey the Law, it is al
he understands it, IL is impossible to place an
intelligent, accountable being in circumstances
where he is Invested Of the right to inquire into
the nature of the acts epjoined upon him, where
he is not bound to ask, can do this, and not VIC
late my conscience His right Of private judg
ment, and his duty 10 exercise it, are from God
who has never delegated to Church or State Ec
clesiastical Council or Civil Tribunal, to Pope
King, or People, authority to release the indiyid