Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1850-11-15
frrsp the Eastern Time'.l
"HigheY Law

Higher Law"
We hear much, 10 these later days. al
higher law shan the Law Of the land. Certain
moraliss. in justification for opposing laws
ihs, eonGic, with their opinions Of RICH, OF JUS
iice, appeal to what they are pleased to call a
higher law. Now wha, 10 this higher la~
The highest law Of the land, or Of our land, is
the CCnsn,u,ion-Sll laws being derivaiive
add based upon this. Do, wo are told that
divine laws are higher than human laws, and
vlen the latter conflict with the former, they
must yield Well, let Va sec Il this position
is tenable--conhIing our view To our country
ofcourse. Every citizen Of the United States
il law maker. and should BE- a law enlOTccr
-prcsuming the objec, Of all Law To be the
welfare Of the community. Whsn found W
operate otherwise, the rcmody-a speedy re.
peal--is always at hand.
Llitl, fear need be aPprehended, under such
system az ours, Of any MISREPRESENTATION Of
the laws, aud as the law is the product Of no
on, man, bu, the combined wisdom Of many,
how much power is arrogaied when any one
man assumes the right To 81, in judgment upon
a Law. Even the opinion Of the Judge upon
the bench. who administers the law, is subject
to rcveSion, and how utterly futile and inslg-
nifcan, is the a,,emp, IN test the equity of a
law by the cruciblc Of any Que mans opinion
Of right aud wrong. The piih aud substance
then, Of the higher law " creed is, that all
other laws and constitutions are invalid, ifsup-
posed To be at yarisncs with lts dictates. Thus
conscience 10 se, IN opposition 10 the law, aud
religion made u sanction Its violation. What
can be more dangerous The following bret
and comprehensive article. irom the PhIladcl-
pn,a Ledger, Is pertinent
Law ASp MoEALs. When Scion was
asked what made grca, people, his answer
was worthy ci great Inan-for he lmmcdl.
alely replied, Coincidence TO the laws, The
American people have many virtues, bu, obe.
dicncc to aud support OF the laws can hardly
he classcd among them. THIS must arse
from the prevalence Of sentiments Ineulcatcd
by the notification oracl,s-thos, damnablc
herrslcs OF the day, which, pleading reserved
rights and higher obligations, have done ~
much 10 unhlngc the moral standard, and SOW
liccntiousnr,s broadcast over the land Obc.
dicncc To the laws, instead Of being cultivated
a. a sacred duty. u too o(len met by doctrines
that maac anarchy virtue, auttransioun con.
fusion into order Ii obedience vas not one
Of the fundamental conditions Of civilization,
without which government Is at an end, and
iiie aud property the sport ofe'ery Individual
whose un,amcd passions riot m the blo-,d and
c,uli 10 plumber, the daring doctrines now III
vogue, that incucaic iorcibIc opposition TO Law
might pas, wiihou, ccnsurc but when all
tina, makes lite valuable depends on obedience
10 the laws, ., would h. worse than treason
NO, to rcbukc tie spirit Of instruction thai
NAV a, any moment produce sanguinary
conhlc, throughout The country No slngl,
interest, no isolated question Of policy or sen
lmcni, can Justify di-obedicnce 10 the laws
10 sustain and enforce which Is the hIghcs
duty Of the good clutcn. Render uni'
Cesar ,bc things tia, are Cssar'., d, pre-
ccp, tina, fcll from hallowcd lips, warm viii
the Ire oftru,h and what Pagan virtue con
sccra,cd rs as a duty, can Christian pet,
spun without elimination The prevailing
vice Of the DAY IS a wan, II rcspcc, for III,
law. aud, until this wee IS eN,lrpated IRON
among US, wc mus, cnpcc, To pay the Pcnai',
which al wee, sooner or later, cyar,s from
those vino encourage II by cowardly pa'
siycnr,., ur a selfish mpu0riv."