The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-14


We give place with pleasure to the following sound
and patriotic communication 1t is from the pen Of
honest and intelligent writer. who, on the ground Of
Scripture authority. convcis the Rev. Mr. Beecher Of
gross ignorance or misrepese NATION Of the sacred texts
to which he referred ~ ia et.> ~ aaiossl
THE HIGHER LAW.
PLEAsuREvnLE. Rentucky) Dec. 2. 1850.
TO the Editor Of the Union ghf9 sbtHf Esscn
!" Lot every soul be subject unto the higher powsrs
Romans. xiii. ist +af tTi ~ ~ Ssg ettt
Dean SIR; The extracts you have given in the Weekly
Union OF November a. 1850, from the Rev. Mr. Beechers
article seem 10 require more rigid examination, IN
Scrptura point OF vew than your arduous labors have
allowed you @ oestow upon them, Inc net Also na y
the members Of that church generally entertain views IN
accordance with those OF the reverend writer. Such
% m II hs
of faith, which s Sufficient 10 convince any capable
Of approaching an argument . ess. -, go.
His figures OF speech may pass for what they are worth
and his application Of ephets will be disregarded The
general tendency alone of his article will be noticed
Highest and most glazing stands his doctrine Of resist.
ance TO lawful authority aud this he Gays is ne new
doctrine Whether the doctrine OF ytous Purtans
we will not say. Doubtless there were Pwtfdns who
willing resist the civil magistrates IN the execu
lion OF their duties Pious Puritans however, did NOT do
so, counsel others 10 resist But whether the doc
trne be old, u s not certainly so old as toe days
Of the apostles. St Paul never taught IT, Tie very
expressly enjons Christians TO be in sablcction 10 the
civil magistrate (See Romans, chapter -, t 10 seventh
verses ncusive.I Does the Rev. Mr. Beecher draw his
conclusions thence Certainly not No ingenuity can
perver the apostles meaning he teaches that com
munites must have magistrates, and that they are Of
dained Of God. aud says expressly, "whosoever Therefore
resiseth the power resseih the ordinance Of Cod and
the punishment for such resistance is that they "sha fe
ceive 10 themselves damnation ~, Peter never iaugel
the doctrine OF resistance to lawful authority IN his hrs
epise, (chapter 3D. 10 10 10, inclusive he says
"Subm yourselves TO every ordinance OF man Tor he
sake, whether be TO the king as supreme OF unto
governors as unto them thai are sent by BIN for the paa
ishment OF evidoers and for the praise OF them that 40
we'll Tor 40 is the will Of God, that with well-domgy
may put 10 silence the ignorance Of foolish men--s
free and not using your liberty for cloak Of mae,o%
for the doctrine here and commend the advice here
given The Rev MIR Beecher, in the hope that he ng
proht By !. 'u. The reverend writer quotes rec
was this in resistance TO lawful authority We hope
show the contrary Peter and other apostles ~efe essa
ing IN Jevsaem The high priest and his ssel, sa w. a.
law, and In violation OF law, las sproven BY me r..
vice Of GamaIie) put them in prison for 80 dong
angel OF The Lord released them. and conmandsa uem
TO stand and speak in The temple to hs eop,s
Peter and the other apostles made ne answei qao.
above Here issue made and ,ney .ook GOWN. ~
70 slay them Bat Gamaei ceep h aDeoi s II ne
law and in great reputation among ,ne people, haa lv
apostles put aside, and then gave 'n's aosiee % 49,
should take heed what they intended 70 do touching me-
men, and refrain from them, and let them alone, io
happy We be ound 10 fight against Gcd.' ~.
Another view Of the subject; The people oil the UNI
ted states alter establishing their right TO do 60 feim.
for their guidance and government an organic law bvey
citizen of the United States, expressly of impledy CAV
his assent thereto, and became bound, morally ana s
", by ils provisions. All those who have become GU
zens since the adoption of this lag became 80 ~ ~
eordance with its terms, and are therefore expls@
bound BY IT, Every federal officer, on accepting om ~
swears 10 obey this organic law or constitution, ana y
laws made in pursuance thereof, IN ADDITION y
his previous obligations as a citizen. lhis oss
law or constitution is admitted by all 70 fecos"
slavery, and 10 confer the right ~ f'csP a' ~.
Inc owner Of the fugitive slave. u ~ ~ tnis 80
sn,ion m eie the duty Of the Congress TO Jmoiae NJ
for eectually fuihnng It's requirements Ids =.
lieye the .fngilive slave bill' will DO
ecutedr H. Ihen according 10 81 Paul. the poM.n
THAI be are ordained OF God, andf st. Peter was w