The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-19

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cation of his remarks to them. For in.
stance he compares his opponents with
the inHdel Robespierre, and with 'the arch
deceiver, who made war upon the Bible,
and mocked the power Of its author" and
in fact with every thing else that is most
detestable, either upon the earth or in hell
What kind of argument is this! What
truth or Justice is there in itl Who having
purely the development Of truth at heart,z
would treat their opponents thus? These
are questions we would like 10 see an.
swered, but they never will be. Where
are the advocates of ubolishing capital
punishment to be found, who do not repere
the Bible and its author, and the law of
God and man, as much as Mr.. O., and
detest infdelity, libertinsm, and all tho
other enormities SO wildly portrayed by
him, as much as he does2 :, .,8leia BsA
The idea that Mr.. C. possesses superior
wisdom, and reverence for the law Of God,
to that Of his opponents, is set forth more
prominently by him in his colnmunicaton.
than anything else; and he is certainly, If
his word be taken as good evidence in the
case, the most wise and righteous man
now living. This, by one less charitable
than we are, would be regarded as vain.
glorious, pharisacal, empty Pretence, on.
ly. This claim 10 superiority, without
proof of its existence, is wholly inadmis.
sble. .5ts 100
And finally, Mr.. C.'s appeal to popular
prejudice, addressing the basest passions
of the human heart. is anIunworthy pro.
cedure; no good can come out Of il, but
evil is the inevitable result. As we'll might
sweet water be expected to flow from
bitter fountain, as to look for good to bs
accomplished by exciting the passions and
prejudices of the people. If good is to be
effected by appeals TO the people, their
moral and intellectual faculties must bo
addressed. For this we have an example
in the conduct of the Apostles. But Mr.
C. is left without precedent Of theirs for
his course in this matter Preachers should
have "Thus saith the Lord" as a war.
rant for all they say ..,.. ,.... ...'y
d As specimen Of eloquence, and Of Mr.
C.'s fair dealing with his opponents, we
quote as follows: +'''isi193
"Be not deceived with this heartless
mockery. Shall we trust the arch
rather than the God of Truth! WHO was
the captain of that mighty host who made
war upon the Bible, and mocked the pow.
er of its author! Who but the great soul.
murderer? He is the prime instigator OF
all that sekly pleading which arrays itself
;. in opposition to Gods holy law. His
f, worl; is summed up in 'lying aginst the
: Lord, speaking oppression and revolt, and
ultering from the heart words Of falsehood.
He gilds falsehood with the glitter OF be.
, nevolence, that truth may be neglected in
!, the street. Oh, it would be sport worthy
e the principalilies OF hell, could these pre-.
tended friends Of light enthrone the god.
dess Of reason upon the ruins of Jehovah's
= sanctuary, and discard the law of God.
n to make room for nfdelity. Shall infdels
i legisate for us? Shall our law--shall
Gods law.-be trampled under foot, to suit
the superior taste of men who believe that
death is an eternal sleep!' Shall we
;. commit the sword Of justice TO the hands
d of libertines, who acknowledge no law but
/, lust and fury, because they would be more
merciul than the God OF the BibIeF"d*-
). Now, ifths superlatively brilliant effort
Of eloquence will not convince the world
t that Mr.. c. is very great man, and a pro.
found logician, and that his opponents are
. devils and infdels, what will! Here the
4 position is boldly affirmed, that all who
y, are opposed to capital punishment are in
q fdels, or instruments Of "the captain OF
n that mighty host who made war upon the
a Bible, to discard the law Of God, to make
/. room for infdelity." Now is it not a fact,
q that the history of the world stamps false.
q hood on the face of this assumption? And
v does it not prove that wherever Christianity
" and civilization flourish the most, there
:. the fewest number of offences are made
a capital by law? Yet Mr.. G. will have it
4 that the devil and infdels are the prime
v instigators Of all opposition to capital pun.
st ishmenl. Is there any truth in this as
"a sumption? No. :" In the name of human.
:. ity, and religion; in the name oi truth and
y of justice; in the name Of God, our Crea-
n tor, and the whole human race, we an.
swer, No. Flom the heavens above and
:. the earth beneath, from the graves Of mur
dered thousands, history lifts up her warn,
inn voice. and nronhacy utfers her a,xfii