The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-12
NEW YORK, Feb. l0, Is

.
For the Southern Press
New Y0RK, Feb. 10, 1851.
1t is not among the least Of the mischievous con-
sequences of abolition excitement that by setting
up the laws of Moses in opposition to the laws
and Constitution fthe United States, as the stand
ard of our rights and duties, not only moral, but
social and political, it has necessarily mingled re-
ligion and politics so intimately that it is almost
impossible to separate them in discussing the great
question which now agitates the country. lfany
one appeals to the Constitution, he is met by a
law of Moses; and the question is whether we
shall conform TO the provisions Of the Constitu-
ton, or the precepts Of Leviticus and Deuteron-
omy. Thus the people of the United States have
10 choose between two codes, in every respect en-
tirely incompatible with each other, and are placed
in situation Of doubt and perplexity as to their
moral, social, and political obligations. No posi-
lion can be more dangerous to the safety and re-
pose Of the State than this. 1t is the inevitable
precursor Of dissention, disunion, anarchy, and
revolution. In this state Of things, 80 fraught
with evil consequences, it is the duty of every
man who values the blessings Of civil and relig-
ious liberty. as well as the repose and happiness
of his country, to lend his aid, however feeble it
NAV be, in drawing broad and palpable line OF
distinction between our obligation to obey the
laws Of Moses, and that to conform to the laws
and Constitution Of our country. shall proceed
to do this as briefly possible, and hope with
out ntruding on the ordinary limits of newspa-
per discussion.
No one can read, with proper attention, the
books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, without at
once perceiving that were they to become the
standard of our moral and social rights and du-
ties, it must be fatal to those great principles of
civil and religious liberty which constitute the
basis of our system, and wrest the government Of
the United States from the hands of the civil au-
thorites, to consign it to those of the priesthood
Whether this is the great ultimate object of those
reverend poIemical politicians, who constitute the
most dangerous ingredient in the abolition excite
ment, it is not for me to says do not profess to
unfold the mystery Of mems consciencss, or pen
citrate the obscurity of their secret motives. This
should be left to Him, who alone sees into the
heart of man, and detects liz hidden impulses
But whatever may be their motives, they cannot
but see at single glance, that II they can place
the law of Moses, Of which they will necessarily
become the sole interpreters. above that Of their
country, the civil power is at once overthrown,
and it will not b. the represe natives Of the peo-
pie that make the laws, nor the Judges who will
interpret them, but ambitious priests and fanat-
cal enthusiasts.
Under the Mosaic dispensation there was nei
Their religious political liberty, nor any free
doom Of body or mind. Every act of mans life
was prescribed, and either commanded or prohb
tied by divine authority. His domestic arrange
ments; his private pursuts his social relations;
his public duties, were all alike fettered by sys
tenn of minute regulations, extending even to the
performance Of conjugal rites, and to those Offices
Of nature which have never been regulated by any
rule but the sense Of decency. In short, the laws
of Moses are totally rreconcilsable with those
grea, principles Of civil and religious liberty on
which our institutions are based; and there is mol
on earth more dangerous and deadly enemy to
freedom, than he who seeks to substitute them in
place of the laws and Constitution of the United
States In making this deduction. lie, me not be
understood as wishing to detract from the merit or
fame of the greatest aw-giver that ever existed,
or probably eyer will exist in this world. All
mean TO say is, that his system is not calculated
for the present time, or the present condition OF
the christian world, and least of all for the United
States.
The people to whom the law of Moses was pro-
pounded, had just come in sight of the promised
land. in search of which they had been wandering
forty years in the wilderness. During this period
generation had sprung up, and doubtless
in their long and devious wayfaring, acquired all
the licenious habits of an itnerant horde, without
home a resting place. The elders among
them must have been born in slavery, and with
out doubt, and indeed appears distinctly from
their conduct, had become not only ignorant, but
wicked and idolatrous. When they arrived at
the end of their pilgrimage, they were little better
than tumuItuous rabbe, fast reapsins into pa
gapsm. restrained only by miracles, and--not
speaking irreverently--though the chosen people
of God, that period, at least, did little credi. to
his selection.
Such people required such laws and such
law-gver; man for whom nature had done her
best, and who, having been adopted and educated
by the daughter of Pharaoh, doubtless possessed
all the learning of Egypt. He had shapeess
mass to fashion into form; tumble Of incongru-
GUS elements to harmonize; most stubborn, stiff
necked, and rebeious race---as he often calls them
Ito reduce to order and obedience. In short, he
had to erect building on an entire new plan, and
to lay the foundation where none existed before.
He had to cvze as well as govern. He knew
sso that his people were going into the midst of
hostile tribes and nations, on whose lands they
were about to trespsss, who would necessarily
become their enemies, and for long time entail